In fact, all the options available going into the game seem to have dwindled to three: Carry seven d-ends, swallow $4 million in dead cap money by cutting injured free-agent signee Chris Clemons, or ax McDougle, despite everything he's done.
If you were thinking perennial underachiever Darren Howard might also be on the roster bubble, the coaching staff put that thought to rest by giving Howard the night off. Clearly, if they carry only four d-tackles, as expected, the Birds want to retain Howard's ability to move inside.
Raw third-round rookie defensive end Bryan Smith did not succumb to a mysterious injury that would have greased the skids for an injured-reserve year. In fact, Smith played virtually every snap, as well, recording 10 solo tackles. So much for trying to waive him and sneak him onto the practice squad.
It sure seems McDougle is on the griddle, despite his team-high 2 1/2 preseason sacks and what looked like nearly constant pass-rush pressure. How ironic would it be if McDougle finally became the player the Eagles thought they drafted, only he did it playing 90 miles up the road for the New York Giants, who need pass-rush help in the wake of the season-ending injury to Osi Umenyiora?
"I'm not really worried about what's going to go on," said McDougle, who recorded half a sack, a blocked pass and a hurry against the Jets. "The coaches, they have a lot of decisions to make, all around the board, not just me. Just put it in God's hands. I just played real hard, just left it all out on the field. That's been my whole attitude throughout the preseason."
McDougle said his religious faith helped him bounce back from all the injuries and the gunshot wound he suffered in 2005, helped him finally, this offseason, "stop worrying about a lot of things."
