Players To Watch When Eagles Have The Ball

The offensive starters are supposed to play three quarters tonight against the Cleveland Browns in game three of the preseason. This will be the last time these guys play in a game before their September 11, debut in St. Louis against the Rams.

The team’s offensive performance must be much better than it was against the Steelers. They need to convert third downs into first down by staying away from penalties and plays which lose yardage.

In their three quarters of play I would like to see them put the ball into the end zone at least three times. Here are the players I will be watching very closely.

Michael Vick – The key to this game will be the play of Vick. We need to see him take care of the football, by avoiding mistakes and moving the football down the field. He’s got to recognize blitzes and get the ball out of his hands. Cleveland’s secondary consists of former Eagles cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Dimitrius Patterson. The Birds should be able to attack them. I don’t want to see Vick taking chances with the football or with his health.

DeSean Jackson – I would like to see Jackson get some work with Vick in there. It would be great to see Vick hit Jackson downfield to give future opponents a picture of what they’re going to face when the season starts. One or two shots of Jackson getting deep will force safeties to back up and open up the field to all of the Birds receivers.

Brent Celek – I want to see Celek and Vick establish a connection. Celek needs to get open and Vick must get the ball to him. I want to see them develop a trust between each other because it will make the offense more consistent because throws to the tight end are the easiest for a quarterback.

Jason Kelce – I’ll be checking out the rookie center to first of all watch his management of the offensive line when it comes to communicating before the snap. If there are mix-ups with defenders coming free, it means he or Vick are missing something. Next he needs to snap the ball on time, then execute his blocking assignment.

Danny Watkins – Here’s another rookie we need to keep an eye on. I’d like to see how Watkins does out on some screens. We’ll see him work on the stretch running play which Howard Mudd loves.

King Dunlap – The big tackle will get the chance to lock up the starting right tackle position. He’s the only right tackle on the roster who can stay healthy. Dunlap needs to make sure to keep Cleveland left defensive end Jayme Mitchell off of Vick.