It's not a totally bad situation when you have injuries to your starters in the preseason because it gives you a better look at your depth and it forces your younger players to step up.
I talked to Victor Abiamiri a few times this week and he's eager to show what he can do tonight versus the Colts. You're going to see him work at the left defensive end spot and he'll also rush the passer from the tackle spot in nickel situations.
I was eager to see him all training camp but he missed the all of the action at Lehigh. Can he provide pass rush help from either spot? He's a key to how good the Eagles defense can be.
Starting at the right defensive end spot is former number one draft pick and free agent signee, Jason Babin. The dude is nasty and a little dirty if that's what it takes. This is a good thing.
He's got a good motor and has some burst around the corner. He had a good game against the Patriots with a sack and near interception. We'll see if he can repeat it against the Colts.
Young Bryan Smith also made some plays in the New England, he has to step it up even more and do some on the special teams. Smith needs to show that he can play either side and stand up and cover the pass as well.
I want to see a better game from Joe Mays. The Pats fooled him a time or two with play action pass, so he's got to get a better feel for what teams are going to do to him.
He was taking himself out of some plays by attacking the line of scrimmage inside when the play was going outside. He's got to relax a little bit and make sure he's playing what he sees.
Of course I'll continue to watch the safety battle between Quintin Demps and Sean Jones. The status quo remains as Demps is the starter and Jones is the backup. The veteran safety doesn't have a lot of time.
I think they're going to get him on the field during the season even if he doesn't win the job by playing a hybrid defense at times with three safeties on the field at the same time.
Jones needs to show improvement in his work on the special teams. He missed a tackle on the Patriots punt return for a touchdown.
For the most part, things have been decided in the secondary.
