Font ResizeParadise's Maehl, Baker learn NFL fate SaturdayRosters must be trimmed to 53 by 1 p.m. (PDT)By Bob GrotzDelaware County Daily Times @BobGrotz on TwitterPosted:

08/29/2014 12:30:19 AM PDT
Click photo to enlarge(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles WR and Paradise High product Jeff Maehl (left) tries to leap past New York Jets' LeQuan Lewis after catching one of four passes for 84 yards during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Philadelphia.PHILADELPHIA It's that time of the year.
A time when players focused on taking care of what they can control have absolutely nothing to do with the decisions coaches and player personnel types make to reduce their rosters by 30 percent.
The Eagles must make 22 cuts by 1 p.m. (PDT) Saturday to reach the NFL's 53-man limit. That will make the weekend incredibly stressful for the bottom of the roster.
Veteran wide out and Paradise High product Jeff Maehl had perhaps his best day in the preseason with four catches for 84 yards, while defensive lineman Brandon Bair recovered a fumble and notched a couple of tackles, helping the Eagles finish off the Jets at home, 37-7 Thursday night.
It still may not be enough for Maehl, a 2007 Paradise grad and former Oregon record-setting receiver, Bair and several others on the bubble. Two years ago, Dennis Kelly felt good about his chances of making the Eagles. After all, the 6-foot-8, 315-pound offensive lineman out of Purdue was a rookie fifth-round pick.
The way Kelly remembers it, the Eagles played their last preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field and cuts were due the following day.
That's when he went into observation mode.
"It can be nerve-wracking," Kelly said. "I had my family out here visiting so I was able to spend the day with them. But I still kind of kept checking the phone and Twitter to try to keep up with what's going on. You hear from guys that do get released and they say goodbye. I remember that (cut) because the deadline was Friday.
"So we're at dinner, 9 o'clock passes and I didn't get a call and I'm like, 'We're OK, it's official.' And I remember Julian (Vandervelde) tweeted something like "glad to make the cut, glad to be back for another year, let's go.' And then he ended up getting cut before a trade. At that point I'm like, 'I guess it's never over.' "
Vandervelde was cut again this past week, only on an injury settlement. He was coming off back surgery.
Vandervelde was released in 2012 to make room for safety David Sims, acquired in a trade with the Browns. Sims lasted one season.
Kelly doesn't appear to be in danger of losing his job this year. He's healthy, as opposed to last season when he worked through back surgery.
Kelly has had a solid training camp and preseason at right guard working next to Lane Johnson, who unfortunately for the Birds has been suspended for the first four games of the season. The pair has been a solid combination. They started in the finale against the New Jets Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kelly physically feels reborn thanks to Chip Kelly's scientific training program focusing on diet and sleep, among other entities.
Dennis Kelly's weight still is in the 315- to 320-pound range. But he's leaner and feels "stronger, better, more energized.
"It's not drastic things that happen," Kelly said. "Obviously I don't have a six-pack or anything like that. But I'm able to focus a lot better at practice and concentrate on things I need to do. And I'm able to do it over and over. Work hard, rest hard, I guess you could say."
Though the Eagles have played Kelly at guard, he also plays tackle. Versatility is a good thing for a backup. Maehl, 25, in his second year in Philadelphia, is also very versatile, playing special teams as well as slot and outside receiver. Earlier reports have said that the team may keep six wide receivers. But in the event that Maehl does get cut, he's still eligible for one of the two final spots on the now 10-member practice squad. The former Bobcat played in all 16 games last year for the Eagles and three for Houston two years ago.
Kelly tries to have the backs of teammates in danger of being released. He sees the concern in their faces. He shares their anxiety. He tries to explain the business that's been explained to him.
"Usually people have an idea of what's going on," Kelly said. "But someone might deserve to be on the team, might have played really, really well. They might be behind (a standout) or someone might get hurt and they have to keep somebody else. That's where it gets difficult because it's circumstances, not because they didn't do enough to make the team."
It's never over. Not in the NFL.
Baker learns fate in Minnesota Saturday
Another player hoping to continue the NFL dream is former Paradise resident and Boise State defensive tackle Chase Baker.
Baker, who once played AAU basketball with Maehl, made a tackle for the Vikings in their 19-3 win at Tennessee Thursday.
He's played sparingly in four preseason outings all wins and is one of seven D-Tackles on the roster right now.
Will Baker be one of 53 left standing when the dust settles?
We'll find out on Saturday.
***
Paradise Post Sports Editor Jeff Larson contributed to this report. For more on Jeff Maehl and Chase Baker's roster fate, connect with @jtlarson and @Post_RickSilva on Twitter Saturday.

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