David Sims‘ phone rang early last summer.

The new Eagles safety had spent training camp with the New York Giants. But around 8 a.m. on cut-down day, he found out the team was letting him go.

Sims had a short stint with the Bucs during the season before eventually signing onto the Browns’ practice squad.

“When I was with the Giants and I got cut, it put heartache on me because they made me doubt my ability to play,” Sims said. “So I had to go back to the drawing board and work 10 times harder than I already was doing so I wouldn’t be put in a situation like that again if I had the opportunity. It made me open my eyes, made me want to work harder than I already was working.”

But for much of this past Friday, despite a strong preseason, it looked like Sims’ hard work wasn’t enough. This time, the call came later, but it still came.

Jason Babin had a bad of ice taped around his right calf following practice Monday, but put his health percentage at 98.9.

Is he absolutely going to play against the Browns?

“Well, I’m going to play. I don’t where the ‘absolutely’ part comes into play. But I practiced today, felt fine, it was crisp, didn’t look as if I had missed much time.”

The Cleveland Browns got an offensive boost Monday with the return of rookie running back Trent Richardson.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Richardson worked in with the first unit and looked healthy doing so. The former Alabama standout and No. 3 overall pick in the draft had his knee scoped about a month ago. Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson are also in the running back mix. Head coach Pat Shurmur said that Richardson will be the starter if he is ready to go, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Dealer.

Juan Castillo‘s unit ranked 16th against the run last season, yielding 113 yards per game.

The Eagles open with the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday.

Donovan McNabb may be ready to give up any hope of returning to the NFL.

Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal first reported that McNabb is close to agreeing to a network job. A source close to McNabb tells Tim McManus that it looks like he will be doing a couple of shows for the NFL Network.

The former Eagles quarterback has been honing his television skills for years, appearing as a guest analyst on ESPN and other networks.

It’s time to check in on what the national media are saying about the Eagles. Here’s the roundup.

Former Eagles nickel corner Joselio Hanson has found a new home.

According to Adam Caplan, Hanson signed a one-year deal with the Raiders after visiting them on Sunday.

Hanson, entering his eighth NFL season, appeared in all 16 games last season for the Eagles, finishing with four passes defensed.   He had been running with the first team as the nickel cornerback all preseason. Ultimately the Eagles showed their faith in rookie Brandon Boykin to fill that role and released Hanson on cutdown day.

The 31-year-old had been in Philadelphia since 2006 after one season in San Francisco. He has 209 career tackles with 49 passes defensed, four interceptions and 3 1/2 sacks.

This little piece of news kind of slipped through the cracks with everything else going on the last few days: Andy Reid said he didn’t play Dion Lewis against the Jets because of injury Thursday.

“Dion, I don’t think Dion’s really 100 percent yet,” said Reid.  “That’s why I held him and [LB Jamar] Chaney out. I just didn’t feel comfortable playing them.”

With the regular season officially upon us, this is something to pay attention to. Lewis, who was not listed on the injury report by Reid heading into the game, has been dealing with a hamstring injury on and off this preseason.

For bubble players, cut-down day is all about the phone call. If you go the whole day without one, you have made the 53-man roster. If the phone rings and the incoming call starts with a “215” area code, chances are you are being summoned to gather your things and drop off your playbook.

Just imagine how slowly time ticks by. Or how your stress level shoots through the roof when  your cell phone buzzes because a friend or family member is unaware of the circumstances.

“You go about your day. If they call you they call you, if they don’t they don’t,” said cornerback Brandon Hughes. “You get an unknown number, that’s probably them calling you. I can’t be sitting by the phone all day hoping the Philadelphia Eagles don’t call me.”

Jon Gruden believes in the Eagles.

The ESPN analyst appeared on a SportsCenter segment Sunday morning and offered predictions for every NFC East team. He was asked if he thought the Eagles would win more or less than 11 games this season.

David Sims worked two jobs: He was on a garbage truck during the day and stocking at Sam’s Club at night.

Acquired from Cleveland in a trade Friday night, the Eagles’ newest safety has taken an unconventional path to the NFL.

The Eagles have signed seven players to their practice squad, including Michigan State wide receiver B.J. Cunningham.

The Eagles have waived cornerback Trevard Lindley and added offensive lineman Nathan Menkin. Also, updates on Julian Vandervelde, Brett Brackett and Mike Kafka.

The quarterback decision is in, and the Eagles have decided to go with Trent Edwards as their No. 3 quarterback. Mike Kafka has been released. So what’s next for the once projected backup to Michael Vick?

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, several teams have inquired about the Northwestern product. Kansas City, New England, Green Bay and Cleveland all have apparently shown at least some level of interest.

Here’s a position-by-position analysis of the Eagles’ defense, as the roster currently stands. If you missed the earlier post on the offense, click here.

Here’s a position-by-position analysis of the Eagles’ offense, as the roster currently stands.