Finally, football has returned. I actually got down to the Linc Thursday night to check out the revamped Philadelphia Eagles and for the most part, they looked pretty good. Considering that no one has had as much practice time as usual before the first preseason game, I thought the Eagles were in decent shape. So, let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-I just mentioned about how teams haven’t had as much practice time as usual, so I was concerned going into the game that it was going to be littered with flags and generally sloppy play. Not the case. I was impressed at how few penalties there were (mostly in the first half) from both sides.
-Vick looks sharp. Only one series, but it is what it is. Vick looks just fine.
-It was good to see Alex Henery drill a few. Also, from what I could see at the game, there weren’t any issues with the holds by punter Chas Henry.
-Speaking of Henry, I didn’t care for what I heard on WIP driving home. I like Brian Startare a lot, but I disagree with his assessment of Henry’s evening. He noted that Henry had four punts, none inside the 20 and a 38.0 yard average. All facts. But it doesn’t tell the story and I get livid when people refuse to really look at a punter’s actual performance. His first punt was perfect, but the coverage team had to get all hyped up and couldn’t down the punt. Instead, they piled into the end zone. His next punt was gorgeous from about the minus 48. This kid can kick a beautiful spiral. It turned over and bounced about a yard inside the end zone before kicking back out. If he shortens that kick by a yard or two, it’s perfect. His next punt was about two yards deep in the end zone and kicked out the back. Not great, but it was another booming spiral. His fourth punt wasn’t so hot, I admit. But what was clear is that this kid looks like he can kick for sure. Will he be great? No clue. But, it’s not fair to just look at punts inside the 20 and average, and make an assessment of his performance.
-Did anyone notice Nnamdi Asomugha covering the rookie WR Torrey Smith early in the game? Laughable. He seemed to dance with him up the sideline as he had his hand in Smith’s back pocket. Smith had no chance to do anything even if he wanted to.
-Good play by the defensive line. Trent Cole was disruptive the entire time he was out there. And look at Darryl Tapp getting a pair of sacks. Like my buddy Jay and I always say during games, “Darryl Tapp always finds a way to contribute.” Let’s hope they get this d-line going this season.
-I like Dion Lewis. He’s tiny, but he’s got some jitter.
-Mike Kafka seems infinitely more comfortable in this offense now. Sure, most of what he completed was short, but there were a few intermediate throws in there. Andy Reid once again has a deep QB depth chart.
-I hope there is room on this roster for Colt Anderson. Not just the interception, but he made a brilliant open-field tackle on the sidelines that probably prevented a touchdown. I just have a feeling he’s going to get caught in a numbers game.
-I love that Eagles fans get so into even preseason games. When Tyrod Taylor’s last-ditch, 4th down toss fell harmlessly to the turf, the people left in the stadium were genuinely excited. I saw high-fives and people standing and cheering. The outcome of the game means absolutely nothing, but they were all into it nonetheless.
-Chad Hall had a nice night, but he’ll be caught in a numbers crunch most likely. Still, good audition for the other 31 teams.
…and not so much…
-I got texts from a bunch of people during the game that were really happy with Ronnie Brown. I’m not. He looks like he’s running on the beach. It could be that he’s doesn’t have his legs under him yet, or it could be that injuries have really taken their toll. I wouldn’t be totally shocked if at the end of the preseason, Lewis gets the call behind LeSean McCoy. I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but Brown doesn’t look to have much in his legs. Blitz pickup could end up determining who wins out.
-The Ravens have Tyrod Taylor as their backup. Yikes. I spoke to a Ravens source Thursday night who said the team is very concerned about their backup QB situation, and I can see why. I was told that they were really hoping to get Marc Bulger back, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. Taylor is a project, not a backup on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
-I didn’t like that we didn’t get a better look at the linebackers and offensive line. But, I can’t really complain about that. Rather get them out of the game and keep them healthy.
That’s all I have for now. Hey, it’s preseason for me too. It’s late and I’m tired.
Really impressed with the D-line today. I thought T. Cole looked outstanding and Babin looked much like the player he was last year. I saw the O line of the ravens really having a hard time moving cullen jenkins. The rookie Jaquan Jarrett Safety looked good.
Really is kinda weird seeing the new faces and coaches but unlike last year you get the feeling that you actually want to see the defense just as much as you want to see the offense.
Also I thought the center Jason Kelce was solid.
Casey Matthews wasn’t around the ball. He was a half step behind every snap but I look for that to improve as he is adjusting to the speed of the NFL.
I wasn’t that dissapointed in Ronnie. Sure, he might need to get his speed back up but it will come. He made people miss which is the most important thing. Nobody is at the top of their game right now due to the lockout. Albeit he did look so, Ronnie still did some nice things that I liked alot.
Like I said, I would like to see a tad more speed out of him but I’ll wait until the 4th preseason game to see where he’s at in that department.
I actually liked everything I saw.
From our first drive, to Ronnie Brown (and Dion Lewis), to the d-line.
It seemed like Cole and Babin were racing to the QB.
6 sacks and 2 picks, constant pressure and moving the chains on offense.
I like some of our defensive reserves (Anderson, Tapp, Rolle, Jarrett)
Kafka is a nice player in a good situation.
Vince Young got to play a little bit. I’m higher on VY than most of you.
I just like winning players and I trust our coaches with QBs.
For a first game, getting back/used to the speed, and staying healthy, this game was a success (watched every snap)
The goal of preseason is to find, continuity along the o-line, keep up the heat on D, get our LBs playing time, and our WRs healthy (Maclin and Smith).
I loved seeing the front four, bull rush the opposing O line, at times I laughed at how easily we were getting penetration, definitely not used to that… D LINE looks good… I liked that Vick really didnt get touched too, O Line did well while he was in there….I liked what I saw from Kafka, I thought his arm was a little stronger, that 1st INT he had didnt have any heat behind it…I still prefer Kafka as the #2..I liked what the first string did against that Baltimore defense on the 1st series…I like what I saw from Cullen Jenkins in the little time he was on the field…
Babin looks fast, he was applying pressure, T Cole too….
Landri, was a good pickup, he seemed to always be involved when he was on the field..Matthews didnt seem to be involved much at all….I know its early yet, but if he’s gonna be off the ball as far as he was at times, he needs to be sat down!
Rolle, didnt look to bad at all….Donald Lee, I like this cat!
I thought R Brown was pretty effective…We ate up clock because of his running game early on…
The young gun kickers looked good! did not like what I saw from Coleman on that first play…
I think Kelce looked good for a rookie, it looked like he made sure to hit someone every play. He shifted out to pick up the end on 2 plays that allowed the qb to step up a throw a pass. That may sound obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times last year the guard or center stood with their hands up while Vick got sacked behind them. I think Austin Howard is not going to make the team despite all the good press last year. He seems to miss some blocks or just not able to stay on guys.
I agree Brown looked slow and Lewis has a lot of wiggle.
The D-line looks the best they have in a long time. Literally evry lineman lined up has a chance for a sack. I would have liked to see the LB’s more but aside from Tollefson’s commentating, the game was very good.
lol at the commenting…it makes me appreciate our announcers more. After henerey made the first field goal, the announcer said that it went right through the middle of the uprights…it clearly did not.
LB’s Play was invisible for the most part (besides Rolle who I really like and think has a great shot of making the club.. but where was Matthews all night and Chaney,Fokou,Clayton too.. Lot of work needed at the LB level for opposing teams will most like run many Draws, Screens and Passes out to ther RB’s coming out of the backfield when playing the Eagles and will stay away from the Secondary on deeper routes to limit the Eagles Pass Rush and All-Star SEcondary.. The intermdiate routes in the middle of the field and the receivers out in the flats are we teams are going to attack this Eagle Defense so they better get their LB Corps buttoned down
Don Tollefson’s still around..good grief.. he was terrible at announcing games 20 years ago.. Does he still have that “Widow’s Peak” on his hairline..crack me up, he reminded me of a ‘Blonde’ Eddie Monster years ago…ha ha
Tolle was HORRENDOUS. He made the Eagles Television Network – however amateur hour esque it maybe – look GREAT – simply because the ETN at least tells you which players made which plays/narrates the game rather than mindlessly opining on generalities that barely relate to the action on the field.
I would rather have Spadaro commenting/play by play than Tollefson who is one of the All-time worst .. I can’t believe he still has a job to be honest with you, and between him and Howard Eskin, wow.. what a poor reflection that these guys give to the local Philadelpiha media scene.. I find it hard to believe that there isn’t some younger,rising talent in the Philly area being such a Sports Town…
I thought Tollie was good. The ETN network’s communication with us via on screen information ,I thought, was lacking. At times, the game was hard to follow. However, Hugh Douglas was AWESOME!!! I thought he did terrific job.
No, not Dave. Don’t go there!!!!! Nooooooo…………
i disagree about ronnie brown, i agree with most of the things in the article. But i feel that ronnie made alot of guys they came off free into the backfield miss. I felt like he really didnt have anywhere to go!! He did what he could with what he was givin.
dawk – yeah, the ravens D is pretty dam good. I though Ronnie looked real good. With actual game planning and more OL work, I think him and Shady willb be a VERY VERY good RB tandem, and you all know how much I’m for Lewis.
Am I wrong or does the Ravens D include Suggs, Ngata, Lews and Reed?
Any comments or thoughts on the O line – how did Watkins look – how did J Jackson hold up – any comparison between him and the rookie? Didn’t see game so asking, any pressure on vick
Navy – the telecast was piss poor. So specific OL were hard to watch. But overall, and consistently over the game, the OL looked night and day different from before. There was a consistent ‘curve’, semi-circle around the QB with the guards flat on the line, tackles out in space, set back a few yeards behind line of scrimage. There were huge passing lanes. Sure there was some pressure (suggs and lewis et al….) but it’s hard to guage with Vick and Young – mobile QBs. There was not remarkable pressure at all. It also seemed like they were focusing on getting the ball out quick…
But by and far, the line looked WAY more like a colts OL than an Eagles one. Big difference.
Sweet – I read Ried let Watkins and Harris go a bit longer then the other starters. Intersted in that center battle – and glad we now have 3 potential quality starters there
navy – yeah, both centers looked good and then after the game Vick was praising Jackson… We’ll see where that goes, but it seems like there’s a good problem/options there.
I agree with the Ronnie Brown comment. The guy made few plays where there was nothing and he put his head down and got a few. However, there were also a handful of plays where he had a HUGE hole or an open field and he just didn’t have the acceleration I have gotten accustomed to seeing. If the guy was not such a good pass blocker and well rounded RB, I am not sure he is such a lock for the roster. He looked like he had dead legs.
It’s ok, its one preseason game. let em ease back into game shape fellas.
if you played you would know…if you didnt now you know…back up my eagles son!!!!
were fine, as of rioght now the only “worry” we have is maclins health.
steve smith is on schedule for between week 1 and week 4, he is doing his thing there
with a revamped d and an explosive o, we can make due for a couple games if we have to for any reason…
relax, no free agency and no real playing time is just driving some of u nuts
enjoy the ride and take it in stride, ur not gonna get every answer today or in a month…
TGIF!!