Singleton States His Case in Eagles’ Preseason Finale

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Unlike many other roster hopefuls around the NFL Thursday night, you could sense an air of calmness around Alex Singleton as the former CFL star talked with reporters in the bowels of MetLife Stadium after the Eagles 6-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets.

The former All-Star linebacker north of the border was satisfied by his performance, not only the 12-tackle effort against the Jets but his push since the spring which has highlighted that Singleton can play in the NFL.

"I felt like I said during the week I put my best foot forward," the Montana State product said. "I feel like I did that for sure [against the Jets]."

Ken Flajole mentioned that Singleton would really show up when the pads came on and the Eagles' LB coach has proved to be prophetic. On Thursday, playing essentially the entire game, Singleton not only sought the traffic he delivered a jarring hit to New York backup quarterback Luke Falk, a nod to the physicality that is the trademark of his game.

"I played my game, just did my assignments and my job and when the players come to you got to make them feel like you didn't miss a lot of tackles, a lot of fits," Singelton said. "And that's kind of what happens in the past. You got to be able to sit around and you know, be able to make tackles one on one enough in space. And I think I did that pretty well, for these last four games."

Singleton understands his situation, a bubble player at a position that is being devalued as a whole in the league and while others regard the final preseason game as a necessary evil until before the real work begins, it remains important for those who get to show what they can do on an NFL field.

"That's the main goal of this game, a lot of people just kind of wave it off," he explained. "... But for the guys like myself, you better go out there and, you know, earn that job, show you're ready to play Week 1. And so that was kind of attitude and just go take it like there's nothing to lose, because it might be like I said, first of many games or your last one is you gotta take full advantage of that."

Singleton, though, has options unlike many others on the bubble, perhaps in another NFL city but definitely in Calgary where the CFL's Stampeders would roll out the red carpet to get their best defender back.

"I guess I'm one of the few people that knows I'll be playing football," Singleton said. "I think if no one does sign me and that happens, there are nine teams in the CFL that would love to have me and I know one special one in Calgary who would really enjoy having me back.

"So to have that is very special to be able to have kind of a whole country behind you just kind of supporting you and then if things don't work out, you know, welcoming you back. ... Not a lot of guys have the opportunity. But you'd rather be here. Yeah, I'd rather not have my phone ringing this weekend and just prepare for Washington."