Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Wide receiver Greg Salas was informed of his release earlier today, and with the earlier release of Russell Shepard, this comes as a head scratcher. Salas has NFL experience, and with the Philadelphia Eagles thin depth at wideout after key injuries to Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn, a guy with proven experience in the league seemed to be a valuable commodity.
Apparently this was not the case. Salas flashed ability and made a handful of acrobatic, one-handed catches in training camp and the preseason. He also displayed solid route-running ability. One thing that may have worked against the young man is he is strictly an inside slot receiver. Head coach Chip Kelly loves versatility, and it is possible he was looking for a guy that could play both inside and outside as he likes his options in the slot with Jason Avant and Damaris Johnson.
Enter Jeff Maehl. He has the requisite athleticism to play both inside and out at receiver and is familiar with Kelly’s offense having played for him in college. Maehl was brought over from the Houston Texans and Kelly obviously sees something in the kid for him to overtake both Salas and Shepard on the roster in what must have been one of the toughest decisions for the coach and GM Howie Roseman to decide.
In my mind, Maehl’s job is hardly secure. If the Eagles find an upgrade at receiver on the waiver wire, they won’t be afraid to pounce. Maehl is on the roster for now, but that may change any day now.
