Despite the lopsided score, I don’t think Eagles fans were doing jumping jacks after watching their team take out the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. There were some good points, but overall, this is not looking like a Super Bowl team right now. I’m not overly concerned because there are so many new guys that didn’t get the benefit of the offseason to work together. This might be a team that hits its stride midseason…..or so we hope. So let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-I ragged on him for the first two games, so I have to give him some credit here. I thought Ronnie Brown looked slow and cumbersome in the first two preseason games, but he looked more lively last night. He’ll never be a burner, but he showed a better burst against the Browns.
-Look at Mike Patterson busting through the line for a sack! I admit that after the past few seasons, I’d written him off as far as what they’d get out of him this year. So if he contributes anything that will be a plus for me.
-See, this is the problem with having Nnamdi, DRC, Asante and a pass rush. I’ve been saying it for a while now. If you have to play with Asante you are going to get burned. Especially if they can get a few hands in the QB’s face. That’s going to be problems. Have fun with that.
-While he still doesn’t do it for me, Casey Matthews looked better last night. I’ll give him that. Let’s hope it’s a work in progress.
-LeSean McCoy does some things that irritate me (more on that later), but the man has moves. I don’t think anyone will confuse him with a north-south runner anytime soon, but he gets away with it. He’s flat-out quick. I admit I didn’t see this coming after his rookie year.
-Did you notice that he can catch too?
-I like the left side of the offensive line. Maybe it’s because I hate the right side so much, but I’m thinking 100% of all offensive plays should go left. They’ll never see it coming!
-Chas Henry has some work to do, but I think I’m going to be okay with him as the team’s punter. In the first game against the Ravens, he was over shooting by about a yard or two. Last night, he could have maybe put them a little deeper. But that’s okay. I haven’t seen many (any?) serious returns off of him yet. Remind me in the comments if I was in the bathroom for one.
-I keep hearing that Alex Henery has been shaky in camp. So far, he’s been okay in the games.
-I like that this defensive line is active. Trent Cole is already in midseason form and I’m loving the addition of Cullen Jenkins. I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t care about the Babin addition, but he’s growing on me too. I’m still worried about the defense defending the run, but it looks like it’s going to be awfully tough to pass on this team, especially when they know you have to.
-There better be a spot on this roster for Dion Lewis.
-Maybe a little props for Bobby April? He’s seeing something on these kicks. That’s two they’ve blocked in three games. You can go an entire season and not block a field goal attempt. They have two already. I’m hoping he figured something out with personnel or schemes because blocked kicks are a disaster.
…and not so much…
-Michael Vick is not going to last very long with this offensive line. We keep talking about how he handles blitz reads, but it really doesn’t matter. I saw absolute jailbreaks on just about every play coming from all directions. Who can deal with that and run an offense? If anyone can, it’s Vick. But even he won’t be able to do it. Absolutely ridiculous.
-Danny Watkins was downright awful last night for way too many plays.
-So let’s line him up next to another rookie that has no clue what he’s doing. Kelce may be fine at some point, but he’s got a lot of work to do too.
-And we’ll put a terrible right tackle next to Watkins too! Sounds like a recipe for success! The right side of this line is an unmitigated disgrace right now. Good thing it isn’t Vick’s blind side!
-I don’t know why he was out there late in the fourth quarter, and I don’t care. I don’t like that Nate Allen was out there in garbage time. Young, promising players who are counted on to make an impact during the regular season aren’t out there at that point.
-Anyone notice that even when Vick had time, the wide receivers couldn’t get open? This a problem for anyone else or just me? How ya feelin’, Jeremy?
-Yes, I still hate the new kickoff rule and yes, I don’t like that Henery was dropping kicks off at the one-yard line. The weather surely didn’t help, but they need those blown out the back of the end zone. At least get them five yards deep.
-In that vein, actually returning kicks seems like a terrible idea now. From all the games I’ve seen this preseason, trying to run them out from three-yards deep is just as bad of an idea as it used to be. I know it seems like, “hey, it’s not seven yards deep, let’s give it a try!” But, it’s a bad idea. Guys keep getting caught between the 15- and 20-yard lines. Just take a knee.
-LeSean…..stop carrying the ball like that! He held it like a water bottle on one play in his right hand as he ran left. He’s been very lucky not to get burned with that, but it has to stop. Ridiculous.
-I’m very concerned about how this defense handles the run. If I were the Browns, it’d be Peyton Hillis all day, every day against this group. Passing is going to be problems, if I’m an opposing offense, I’d keep pounding the rock until I had to throw. This cannot be understated.
-Sorry, but that was an awful roughing the quarterback call on D’Qwell Jackson. That was as legal as can be. I’m expecting a big year from D’Qwell this year. Side note: It’s really tough to type “D’Qwell.”
As I type this, I’m listening to Jay Z’s “On to the Next One,” (Speaking of Jay Z…..these are the originals) and now it is indeed on to the next one. The Jets are next Thursday and it’s usually the most painful game of the year. It’s a good, hearty long look at all the backups and guys who probably won’t be in the NFL this year. Yay!
Fair enough.
McCoy has been successful and players have different styles
Until he gets fumble-itis I’m over worrying about how he carries the ball
it’s not the greatest thing to see, but he secures it so I’m good with it for now
everything else, we know were good on the left side of the line and right right is a ?
not the best thing to have on your plate heading into the season, but we could be worse (like some of the worst teams in the league)
and there are other good teams with mediocre lines (to be positive) like GB, PIT, CHI, IND for starters
I’m ok heading into week one with chaney and matthews looking more comfortable in their roles (not polished, but an improvement)
i will say this, kurt coleman could very well lead this team in tackles
he is all over the field like trent cole is, except he has the safety position to start from
he can flat out tackle and is our rover on the field basically
page did a decent (not a standout performance) job in there as well
you rag on king dunlap but from the past two games I have seen him do a pretty good job. Nothing that screams pro bowl but he wasnt letting guys go right through or around him. The one time he almost got beat inside but did exactly what you are told to do as a tackle in the situation and push the guy right down the line. I like what I am seeing.
I also think Dunlap has played the last 2 weeks and it seems to be a wash whether it’s him or Justice.. The Problem remains (just like last year) is right over the C and RG Spots where the Eagles players just are overmatched physically and are just too slow coming off snap of the ball.. This happened the 1st month of last season too as McGlynn and MJG or N Cole were getting burned right up the gut early and often just like this years group is..
Maybe Watkins is just not ready yet at the NFL Level, I wouldn’t mind seeing MCGlynn or E MAthis take some snaps at RG with the 1st Teamers..
I hope Mudd can work miracles because I don’t see much talent on that offensive line. Peters is talented, but he’s a knucklehead. Herremins is average. The Eagles have had mediocre centers forever. Watkins is a rookie and will struggle like a rookie. Dunlap and Justice are average at best. John Runyan was the best offensive lineman of the Reid era and his void has not be filled.
Meant to say that I thought Dunlap played pretty well..
overrall I’m sure none of us liked what we saw on the offensive side of the ball …First, we were looking for way to many things to develop deep down field……Maybe part of the plan was to spread the field and get McCoy the ball, which was effective but dangerous, when the QB is getting hit every other play, even on pass completions …But I did like how we were able to get McCoy involved, I thought McCoy should of been involved way more last season, not just in hand offs, but screen plays, quick flares, dump offs to the flat…
you can not have these two rookies (Kelce, Watkins) on the line at the same time, at least for the immediate future. was surprise with Watkins, he struggled a bit…I think he’ll be aight though…Dunlap was pissing me off too…He played well at times but sometimes he did not hold his block long enough, the defense was simply out working him, a few times it looked as if he just let the D go and almost got Vick lit up.
The O Line has digressed week by week thus far…yea its preseason, but RULE #1 you gotta protect your starting QB…If there’s one group that you want to see play well, it is the O Line especially in the Eagles passing system…I liked how after the game Vick said he was proud of the O Line…(thats the type of support, some of us fans need to show)
Coaches have to do a better job using Cooper to his strengths, too many deep routes they had him on…otherwise I dont see where Cooper will fit in when Mac and Smith are both in the lineup…
When we get Maclin back, I expect the offense will look totally different…you won’t be able to focus soley on DJAX then…DJAX should have caught possibly two passes last night too…we know the contract issue, but right now your trying to get that chemistry.
There wasn’t that much of an adjustment on the O Line in the 2nd QTR, as people are saying…It was more of the play calls that were being called…Instead of sending 2-3 WR’s deep, the routes were shortened, which allowed the O Line to block for a shorter period of time…when Vick started to complete a few 10+ yard passes
Matthews played well…hopefully he can build off of that…not looking for him to be a superstar right now, but if your in a position to make a play, GET IT DONE….Last year we had trouble with opposing teams TE’s… Putting Chaney over the TE, isn’t that bad of an idea. But only thing about that it could pull him away from the ball, and leaves Matthew and Fokou…Oh Fokou sorry fellas, but this cat is wack..Sit him down…put in Clayton or Rolle!
Penalties, 10 is too many..
Red zone – 3 of 4, not bad
Threw the ball 30 times
Rushed the ball 32 times (definitely wasn’t spread evenly through the offense though) I expect the Eagles will mix it up more when the season starts..
Overrall – watching my Eagles at the Linc in a down pour, was great! loved every minute of it!
oh yea, did anyone else notice that one play where we were in shotgun…Browns began showing blitz, Vick audibled, went under center and handed off to McCoy for the first down..? He’s not all the way there yet, but thats an example of his improvement with the blitz…one of the quick screens to McCoy appeared to be a play change as well…
Easy on the Pass to Run Ratio RT777
The Eagles 3 QB’s combined for 10 Rushes/Scrambles which were designed passing plays.. So the real play selection comes out to 40 Passes and 22 Rushes which is more like the usual 65-35% Ratio that we see from the Eagles
@Paul,,,true you’re right!
Good analysis RT777, good job and keep it up..
Relax Micah, take a deep breath, everything will be ok – eventually.
Yeah Micah, you really are Mr. Doomsday at baseline. You are worried that Hillis ran well? Did you watch football last year? I hear that Michael Phelps made it to the other end of the pool the other day as well. And rookies making mistakes in their 3rd preseason games!? GOODNESS GRACIOUS! Let’s jump off a ledge! You’re suprised at McCoy? That’s because you’re too negative to begin with. You notice a pattern here? Your policy is “fucking atrocious unless proven otherwise”.
And you’re WAY too critical on the kickers. It’s preseason and Bobby April is probably telling them to do things so he can experiement with stuff. You really seem to ignore the context of preseason. You do know that the game didn’t count right?
I completely agree wth schill, henerey has never done kickoffs before, so cut him some slack, he’ll get it down. Also having kelce, watkins, and dunlap is retarded. Put jackson in there because he knows what he’s doing. Also m really disappointed in nate allen this preseason. I know its preseason, but he looks clueless and plays like a puss. And kurt coleman is one of my favorte eagle players. I just have a good feeling about this guy. Great pick last year.
That O-line, as currently constructed, is going to get Vick destroyed, & the LB’s as currently constructed, are horrifying & will stop no one!!
Period end of story!!!!
Henery was to kick off high, not long as they were trying to pin teams in the 20. I would expect you to know this Micah.