From either sideline, it bore a certain resemblance to our national economy of late. As in lots of prospective employees, competing for precious few jobs.

So it is in the final week of the preseason, particularly on established teams like the New York Jets, whom many have already ticketed for Super Bowl XLV next February. And so it is on certain transitional teams who are considered ahead of the curve, like your Philadelphia Eagles.

All of that said, Thursday night's 21-17 Jets victory at Lincoln Financial Field offered a few hints as to who might still be reporting to work after Saturday's cutdown to the 53-man roster limit.

Feel free to include Kurt Coleman in that group. The seventh-round safety out of Ohio State not only returned two fumbles for touchdowns — giving him two more TDs than Kevin Kolb, DeSean Jackson or Brent Celek this summer — but also was a physical presence against both the run and the pass.

On the other side of the safety ledger, Coleman's effort likely served to grease the skids for Macho Harris.

Harris, a starting safety last year as a rookie, was devalued by an April draft that included new starter Nate Allen as well as Coleman. Thursday night was a chance for him to boost his stock, either with the Eagles or another team, but Harris was most visible as the victim on Mark Brunell's 2-yard TD pass to rookie tight end Jeff Cumberland in the second quarter.

Coleman's first star turn came as the opening quarter wound down, with the Jets on a 12-play, 63-yard march from their own 2 to the Eagle 35. Rookie back Joe McKnight fumbled and Coleman was there to scoop it up. He sprinted 64 yards untouched for the score and a 10-0 Eagle lead.

His encore wasn't as spectacular, but counted just the same. John Conner, another Jet rookie running back, was tripped by a teammate at his own 1 and fumbled forward. There was Coleman at the 8, grabbing the ball and scooting in for another TD with 40 seconds left in the half.

"Obviously, he's always around the ball," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "And when he has an opportunity to hit you, he normally makes contact. For the most part, he's a secure tackler, and he likes to punish you when he hits you."

Another displaced Eagles defensive starter, Moise Fokou, fought a better fight than Harris. Fokou could be nudged out of a job by rookie linebackers Keenan Clayton and Jamar Chaney, but he made a serious argument Thursday night with a team-leading 10 tackles (eight solos).

"I think he's improved, not only at the strongside linebacker but also as a defensive end," Reid said of Fokou. "I liked what I saw in there tonight."

Reid quickly made clear his comfort level with Michael Vick, who was expected to play a half but departed after one quarter. Vick (3-of-5 passing for 56 yards, 2-11 rushing) led a game-opening seven-play, 46-yard drive that ended in David Akers' 29-yard field goal.

Rookie Mike Kafka, whose job as the No. 3 QB is also secure, played the last three quarters without distinction. His second pass of the night was picked by Emmanuel Cook at the Eagle 24, setting up the Jets' first TD.

Kafka finished 9-of-27 passing for 76 yards, while the Jets took over with a pair of second-half TDs. Danny Woodhead cashed in a 14-yard run midway through the third quarter, closing the gap to 17-14, and Brunell hit Santonio Holmes for a 51-yard TD and a 21-17 lead early in the fourth.

Notes: Jorrick Calvin, the rookie corner acquired from Arizona in a Monday trade, returned two kickoffs for 56 yards and two punts for 25. The Eagles dealt RB Charles Scott to get Calvin. … Akers was wide left on a 49-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter. … Holmes (4-97 receiving) presumably was playing because he is about to sit out a month due to a drug suspension.

jyoung@lnpnews.com