Kurt

Coleman

Coleman couldn’t crack Buffalo’s initial 53-man roster but a spot opened up for him Sunday when the Bills placed Jason Groom (hamstring) on injured reserve. The 10th-year safety ranks 19th among active players with 21 career interceptions.

One of coach Sean McDermott’s pals from their time together in Carolina, Coleman is just running out of gas at 31 years old. He could land with a contender as a third or fourth safety.

Coleman reunites with coach Sean McDermott, who he played for in Carolina. The Bills needed some safety help because third safety and special teams standout Rafael Bush decided to call it a career and retire. 31-year-old Coleman should see plenty of work on defense should he make the team.

Coleman was due $5.5 million this upcoming season, and the Saints deemed that too much money. However, the team remains open to signing him to a new contract, but they save $4 against the cap for now. Already on the other side of 30, Coleman’s play has declined in recent years, so he’ll likely sign for less than he was previously going to make.

It was never much of a competition, as Nate Allen has been battling tendinitis in his knee. Page started 37 games in Kansas City from 2007-09 and has IDP appeal with a decent shot at 80-90 tackles. Kurt Coleman is expected to start on the other side, but he’s looking over his shoulder at rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett.

Beat writer Jeff McLane believes Reid was sending a “message” to Jarrett, who struggled conceptually as a rookie. Reid declared Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen the current favorites to start. Jarrett will have to bypass Coleman this summer.

Jaiquawn Jarrett will take over, as Coleman has been ruled out for the game. His absence isn’t a major concern with Tony Romo and Felix Jones sitting out.

Coleman appeared in all 15 games, starting 13 and compiling 54 tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble. He was benched early in the year in favor of Nate Allen, but regained a starting role when rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett struggled. Coleman figures to be back and healthy in 2012, but the Eagles desperately need to upgrade their safeties.

Allen was not healthy for most of the 2011 season after struggling to rehab a knee injury during the lockout. The team’s second-round pick in 2010, Allen now “feels great” and the team expects a return to his strong rookie-season play. Coleman is getting the early nod over 2011 second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett at strong safety, though that battle will rage on in camp.

O.J. Atogwe has been banged up for the majority of camp and Jaiquawn Jarrett continues to be a liability. That leaves Coleman, a 2010 seventh-rounder, next to Nate Allen. He had 78 tackles, four interceptions, five pass breakups and one forced fumble last year. Three of those picks came in Week 6 against the Redskins.