The Eagles won their second preseason game on Monday night, defeating the New England Patriots 27-17 in New England.
Offense
- Ugh. That three letter word best describes how I feel about Michael Vick right now. The man just can’t avoid the injury report. In just 12 plays he’s run this preseason, he’s suffered two injuries. Tonight he took a shot to the ribs, an area that he’s had problems with in the past. If you want to make some easy money, run down to the nearest sports gambling arena and place large sums of money on Vick missing more than three games this year.
- Vick hasn’t at all been delivering on his promise to protect himself in the field. On a run in the first quarter, he failed to slide and instead went with his normal reckless dive. On the play that he injured his ribs, the veteran should have simply gotten rid of the football rather than attempt to be a hero and make a miracle out of a doomed play. Instead he held on to the ball too long, and left himself exposed to take the ferocious shot that knocked him out of the game.
- And now for the good news, we once again look to rookie Nick Foles! Foles played the majority of the game, and while he wasn’t perfect, he still played a fine game, and is looking more and more worthy of the second-string position.
- The rookie finished the game with 217 passing yards and two touchdowns. Foles hooked up with Clay Harbor twice in the endzone after taking the team on long drives. His only blemish of the night was an interception thrown at the end of the first half. He tried to force a ball to Jeremy Maclin that the Patriots had well covered.
- Overall, Foles once again showed great poise for a rookie and was calm in the pocket. He made a number of great throws, and while its clear he needs some polish, he’s doing more and more to inspire confidence that he can be the team’s backup quarterback.
- Another excellent game from Bryce Brown. He finished the game with nine carries for 51 yards, and caught two passes for 16 more. He’s clearly ahead of Chris Polk for the third-string running back job.
- Stanley Havili may have secured his roster spot tonight. The fullback made two big plays in the game, one coming on a 14-yard run on a fullback draw play in the redzone. Havili charged up the middle, running with a good mix of power and speed. It was the type of play the Eagles used to run for Leonard Weaver back in 2009. The fullback also made a play on special teams, which will only help his case.
- Damaris Johnson caught a pass for 23-yards, but he also dropped an easy pass on a slant route. I still think the rookie will make the team, but he’s got to cut out those mental mistakes.
- I thought King Dunlap played a solid game in his first start.
Defense
- Yes, it was disappointing that the defense didn’t get a chance to play against Tom Brady. But don’t blame Bill Belichick. Blame the NFL for doing an absolutely terrible job at constructing this year’s preseason schedule. It’s bad enough when a team is forced to play two games in five days during the regular season, but schedule multiple games within the same week during the preseason is beyond absurd. No sane coach is going to operate under normal procedures and risk something happening to his starters.
- To me, no player on the defensive side of the ball was more impressive than Mychal Kendricks. The rookie was constantly around the football, and was in on six total tackles. He’s been fun to watch in the first two games, and even though its early, right now he looks like he could be the team’s best defensive draft pick in some time.
- DeMeco Ryans was much more active in his second game. He finished with five total tackles, and looked a little more like the linebacker we expect him to be.
- Phillip Hunt has been the team’s best defensive lineman so far. Another sack and a forced fumble that lead to a turnover. The way he’s playing right now, he looks primed for a breakout year.
- Cedric Thornton was explosive once again, and picked up another sack. I love the urgency that he and Hunt have played with so far. These are a couple of guys who knew their roster spots aren’t guaranteed, and they’re going to make it impossible for the Eagles to release them.
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had a nice pick that was called back because of a roughing the passer penalty on Fletcher Cox. Outside of the foolish hit on Byron Leftwich, DRC has played very well so far.
- One of the most shocking moments from this game came on the sidelines when Andy Reid and Cullen Jenkins were in an altercation with one another that got so bad that the two had to be separated. We’ve never seen Reid so visibly upset with one player. Both the coach and Jenkins will likely write it off as something that happened in the heat of the moment, but it was still a surprise to see.
Special Teams
- Matt McBriar is going to be this team’s punter. He averaged over 42 yards per punt, while incumbent Chas Henry averaged just 36.
- Brandon Boykin made a big play on special teams, but not as a returner. He flew down the field as a gunner during a punt, beat his blockers, and delivered a hit that forced a fumble and a turnover.
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What did we learn tonight?
1 – Vick stinks. I don’t know how else you can coat this. He was 1 for 3. He looked like a complete buffoon on the play he got hurt. Regardless of the fact that he took too long, he needs to be lambasted for the ridiculous off the back foot heave to no-one just before he got hit, So bad. So first year amateur. He’s terrible. Oh…and even you Vick apologists had to cringe on his first drop back of the night when he dived head-first. What an idiot.
2 – Foles looks very promising.18 of 28. That’s a solid 64%. 2 passes were terrible drops and 2 were intentionally thrown OB. So those are nice very numbers. 2 mistakes. The bad throw to end the half, and a late out that was almost picked. But on the positive side….how nice was it to see him throw ahead of guys who only had a half step on their defenders, but the ball was put in front of the receiver and was caught. These are throws McNabb or Vick never made/make as they seem to have to wait till a guy is 3 yrds open before they throw the ball. Foles already seems to understand the “throw your WRs open” concept already. He looks like an NFL QB. $$$
3 – Andy Reid still doesn;t understand timeouts. End of game. Eagles up 7. Ball on the 4. Time running down and with one second left Reid takes a timeout. Why?????????????????????? This makes absolutely no sense. Take the delay of game penalty and its a 26 yrd fg instead of the 21 yrd fg. Statistically irrelevant. Both are easy kicks, and yet you’re left with 3 timeouts instead of the 2 the Birds. I know most people might be “you’re clutching at straws” because the game was over, but this move really pissed me off. There was no need for that TO and I think stupid decisions like that always come back to haunt Andy in the playoffs.
4 – The D is still inconsistant. Somethimes they look great. Love the effort in the run game. Frustrated by early burns with screen passes. This has been happening since ’73 it seems. Pass rush looks devastating. WIthout referee assistance, the Birds might have pitched a shutout into the 2nd or later….though against NE scrubs.
Overall……excited. Foles looking $$ eclipses all other concerns.
Vick makes bad decisions and after 11 years in the league, he should be over
these mistakes in judgement. You think at this point he would know how to slide
and when to get rid of the ball. He is too short and seems to lack the ability to be an effective QB.Why did Foles look so much better?
Only right since Vinny took the torch of hyperbole
1. Not Vick’s fault on the play he got hurt…a right hander could have gotten the ball away dropping to his right, but a left hander dropping to his right away from pressure at his center right (after a *?ckup by Mathis has to turn to get any velocity on a pass he was attempting to throw away. O-Line’s fault on that one..still luck is not on his side with these injuries. you only get so many gimmeees before the Mr. Glass nickname sticks. Only looked OK before the injury.
2. Foles looked more comfortable as the game progressed, but scored his points on a short field (albeit…very nice throw to Harbor on the run). Best take away from tonight was not performance, but comfort with scheme and multiple packages. Needs to improve footwork (happy in the pocket at times) and trajectory on down-field throws. Still a good showing from the rook
3. Concern is for D’s discipline…Obviously too many penalties, some justified, others not so much. The interesting thing you saw tonight is Andy yelling at Jenkins. What to make of it? Andy has always been an O-minded coach. I think what you saw tonight is that Andy just outed Jenkins as the defacto Leader of the Defense….Personally I thought it was brilliant. Obvious but hesitant leader….Andy forced a veteran to step up and take the helm. It is now up to Jenkins to respond. Easy to say Ryans, Allen, but Jenkins is the heart. Most would say Cole or Ryans (somehow), but they are more lead by example guys. Jenkins is the glue….and he will rise to the occasion..quote me on that
It may not have been his fault to let the DT trough (Mathis) but it sure was his fault to launch up a prayer while falling backwrds off his back foot.
You can’t possibly really believe he was trying to throw that ball away Mryan. Ridiculous. That was a stupid heave-ho to Jackson. A throw he’s been told a zilion times not to attmpt.
Aside from the injury, I can’t believe it wasn’t intercepted.
My take from the game laat evening..
Vick in a very brief outing looked like the same old Vick.. on 2nd down play and a roll-out, he easil could have fiipped the ball to an wide open Avant for a 5 yard gain or could have at least scampered to the sidelines and avoided a hit (I think he injured his right forearm on that play too taking a helmet shot from the defender which should have been avoided,,
On paly he got injured, you don’t turn your back to the d-Line, he set himself up for that hit and paid the price.. Vick will miss 3-4 Games this Season for his reckless play
Hhis lack of touch on the 1st drivr, had an open Avant for the 1st down on a 3 and 2 play and he throws a bullet which Avant could not handle…Eagles will be a .500 Team with Vick at the helm..
Positive’s
The Play of Foles who I believe has secured the #2 Back-up Spot behind Vick
LT King Dunlap held his own and looked very active and aggressive and will be the Opening Day Starter at LT.. Demetress Bell continues to look confused, get’s off the ball late and continues to turn his shoulders and head when engaging a pass-rusher… Bell looks like a back-up at best and maybe not even make the Roster to be honest..
TE Clay Harbor had an excellent all-around game in receiving,route running,blocking and is due for a break out season, he turns upfield after receiving the ball like a WR does.. A big improvement and will take plays and receptions away from Brett Celek..
TE D-JAx, McCoy and Bryce Brown all looked very good
WR D johnson blew a great opportunity to solidfy a spot on the Roster.. He looked jitterrish on Punt Returns and did very little in the Passing game.
WR McNutt also had a quiet game and did little to show himself.. I believe the final WR spot comes down to Johnson,McNutt & Gilyard who played ok..
when will all of you get it….this organization will NEVER win with Andy Reid on the sideline as the head coach
Reid was probably screaming about his 1st team defense getting beat by the Pats second stringers. That being said Kendricks was all over the field. A lot to like about him as he could be the future MLB for the team.
I am pleased at the way Foles played, but curious as to what Vick thought he could accomplish on the play that he got hurt. Fall down if you have nothing instead of putting yourself in a position to take an awkward hit. Yes, the O-line screwed him, but dude just go to the ground to avoid a more vicious hit. Also, please don’t ever run in the pre-season again.
I also liked what I saw from Hunt last night…Vick just needs to play smarter.
can’t ignore 2 TDs – Clay Harbour had an excellent game and I congratulate him, I didn’t think he had it in him. I am eating CROW after disrespecting him this week.
Top Stars & Goats of the Game
Stars on Offense – Foles, Harbor, D-Jax, King Dunlap & Bryce Brown
Goats on Offense – M Vick, Demetress Bell (no way is Bell a Starter, it’s not even close) Darius Johnson (missed a big opportunity) McNutt (were you even on the field)
Stars on Defense – Hunt, Thornton, Kendricks,DRC,Nate Allen
Goats on Defense – B Graham, B Rolle both took steps back..Is Keenan Clayton still on Eagles Roster, time is running out on him also..
Anyone notice the hard hit that Foles took to the head mid-way thru the 2nd Quarter and then got right up and fired a 12 Yard Pass in-between 2 Defenders on the very next play.. I was impressed.. .
Paulman, Jake Bequette cheap shot – when you lose 2 QB you can’t let a rookie head hunt your only option left — I thought the OL should have raised a fuse with Bequette for that hit
totally agree
I know it’s still early, but New year, SAME BS!!! Undisciplined & stupid play, Vick’s idiocy & injuries, O-line playing like crap early, the center of the DF is still Horrid, players not making tackles/ plays, Castillo is STILL CLUELESS! Can’t the screens, TE’s, the running game, or get off of the field after 3rd down. IMHO, Reid needs swallow his pride, forget his blind loyalty & to cut his losses, & get rid of his @$$! I’m now at the opinion, that Asomugha was a huge mistake, Kendicks is good, but should be the WILL where he can be the playmaker that he is, & he can’t cover TE’s, Rolle SUCKS, & is Sims littler BRO, not impressed with Ryans LACK of intensity, & we WILL NOT WIN WITH VICK, PERIOD! Our LB’s & Safeties, still leave little to be desired! On a GOOD note, Foles is a breath of fresh air. Our D-line is deep & very solid. We are now, deep & solid at RB, with Brown, Polk & Havilli. Our receving core, including the TE’s, are very good as a corps.
Bye bye- Tapp, Dixon, Jarrett, Rolle, Dion Lewis, & hopefully Castillo! Make Bowles D-Coordinator.
DCar, Dion Lewis will make the team. Chris Polk is being converted to FULLBACK, because Lewis, and Brown have flat out outplayed him. They obviously like his talent, but he can’t hang with Shady, Lewis, and Bryce Brown, so he may be the starting Fullback because Havili is so underwhelming.
BTW, how BAD ARE THESE REPLACEMENT REFS?!?!?
Trade Rumor’s
Eagles Trade DT Cullen Jenkins for insubordination to Coach AR to the Carolina Panthers for Back-Up QB Jimmy Claussen and Back-up LB Jordan Senn
Clauseen Sucks just like Dan Conner,….nobody wants him.
Paul, LMFBO!!! I LOVE YOUR TRADE RUMOR’S!
I would have absolutely no problem if Cullen Jenkins was traded. He has been sort of a bust for the Eagles thus far and Thorton looks like the best DT on the team.
Paul’s ‘rumors’ are made up in his HEAD… They are made up. Jenkins is going nowhere
HAC, don’t you realize by now, that Paul is only doing this for $#!T$ & giggles. He’s been doing it for years, leave him be, it’s hilarious! Take your panties out of a bunch. 😆
AR Went after CJ to fire him up and to send a message
Jenkins has not looked particuarly strong this Preseason and Camp thuis far, now he’s a Veteran who is moist likely pacing himself to get ready for the Regular Season, but in 2 games thus far, it appears he’s playing at 85% and does need to pick-up the pace and tempo..
Same can be said about WR J Maclin who appears to be sleepwalking thru the pre-season so far, he needs to pick-up the pace too if he wants to get that big contract..