PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

The Eagles cut their roster down to the required 53 players yesterday. The team can still sign players cut by other teams. A veteran running back, offensive line help and depth at linebacker would be the key additions to look for.

Here are the highlights..

* After all, the birds kept 5 running backs, including both Darnell Pumphrey and Corey Clement. both will have limited playing time, with Pumphrey being featured as a returner on  special teams.  Blout will be the short-yardage guy; Smallwood will be the every-down guy; and Sproles will be the change-of-pace, slot receiver, speed guy.

* The team also surprised on wide receiver, keeping 5th round draft pick Gibson and letting go Treggs. The Eagles want to develop Gibson, who has burner's speed, but I don't expect him to play very much this season.

* Only 8 offensive linemen were kept. The Eagles have kept as many as 11 O-linemen in the past. But the front office likes their group, stating that "We have eight starting offensive linemen."

* Punter Donnie Jones beat out rookie Cam Johnson. Jones is 37, makes more money and has a weaker leg than Johnson. but the Eagles aren't ready to move on from Jones just yet. So, Jones will be safe for another year. His ability to hold for field goals and extra points had to be a big consideration.

* The Eagles kept only two quarterbacks, so they must be pretty sure that Nick Foles will be OK from his sore elbow issues. They wouldn't go into the regular season opener at Washington next Sunday short at signal-caller. It's true- if Wentz goes down, the team is sunk anyway, but you hope your back-up QB can hold down the fort for a  game or so.

PHILLIES-

* Jared Eichoff is done for the year after suffering nerve irritation in his right pitching hand. I don't think Eichoff should be a lock for the rotation in the spring. He has a world of potential, but so far over-rated. Maybe Eichoff will benefit from the extra time off as Aaron Nola did in 2017.

* Rhys Hoskins went 3 for 3 last nigh tin Miami, but left the game late when he was hit by a 97-mph fastball .  X-rays came back negative. Hoskins has been a shining bright spot in this dreary Phillies season. Fans are interested in the Phils, as they slow;y move toward 100 losses, only because of Hoskinns, who hit his 12th homer last night. Hopefully he will be OK to finish his magical start of his career, giving fans something to watch and hope for 2018.

* Lehigh Valley plays a doubleheader today, with faint playoff hopes. After Labor Day, look for a few Iron Pigs to be promoted to Philadelphia, namely J.P. Crawford, Andrew Pullin and Dylan Couzens. A few of the pitchers are on limitations, so a guy like Tom Eischelman may not see the big leagues until next spring. We know what players like Joseph, Rupp and Franco can do. It's time to see what more young prospects are all about.

* Pedro Floriman has played very well in a reserved role since he was called up in late July. he was positioning himself to make the club next year as a utility man. Sadly, Floriman dislocated his right ankle last night, stepping awkwardly on the first base bag, running out a ground ball. He's done for the year, but hopefully not forever.

Bryce Harper was hurt the same way a few weeks ago. Luckily for Harper his injury wasn't as severe.

It makes one wonder what is going on with the major league baseball's bags. They seem higher and harder, with not as much give.

If this continues to be an issue Baseball needs to consider softer bags. It's one thing sliding into a base and hurting an ankle- it's another to merely step on a base, while a player is in the process of running out a ground ball, and breaking an ankle.



NCAA FOOTBALL

Penn State started off with a 52-0 rout of Akron at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Temple was slaughtered at Notre Dame, which wasn't a surprise.

I'm not a big college football guy, as I was growing up. But I'll comment on the local teams as warranted

Tuesday in the blog, under Chirping Birds, comes my NFL preview, with predictions on the division races, over/under totals, and my first Last Fan Standing pick..