Sources indicate that rookie Nate Allen has been installed as the first-team free safety at Eagles Organized Team Activities.
Mancini’s Take: There’s no understating the season-ending injury to Marlin Jackson, a savvy and physical defender with range who was pegged as Philly’s starting free safety prior to rupturing his Achilles tendon. The Eagles had no intention of heaping too much responsibility on Allen this early, but he’s clearly the player who’s best suited to replace Jackson in terms of pure skill. Macho Harris is a hybrid player with enough speed to play corner, but isn’t physical enough to man any of the safety positions. Quentin Demps, on the other hand, isn’t very good in coverage and lacks the ability to make difference-making plays. Alas, the Birds will have to sink or swim with Allen who’s a chiseled athlete at about 6-1, 207 pounds. He can come up and knock the daylights