Chip Kelly just got done speaking to the media several minutes ago, and the head coach announced that quarterback Sam Bradford will not take the field when the Eagles open their preseason against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The news is disappointing on several levels.
Apart from the reality that we’ll have to wait at least another week to see Bradford make his preseason debut, it’s not a good sign that the coaches decided to hold him out of action.
All we’ve heard to this point is that Bradford had been doing great, and is coming along ahead of schedule. Bradford himself claimed that he was 100% not too long ago. If he’s truly 100%, why hold him out?
The fact that the Eagles are holding Bradford out for any reason at this point suggests that he’s not. It doesn’t indicate that there’s a problem or a setback of any kind either, but it means that for whatever the reason the coaches aren’t comfortable with putting the former Ram on the field.
It may not be a setback for Bradford medically, but it is a setback for this offense.
Bradford is getting used to new teammates and a new system, and his teammates are still getting used to him. Even though he likely would have only played a series or two, every opportunity to get out there and face some live bullets with his teammates is invaluable at this point. Right now the starting quarterback is missing out on an opportunity to go out and make himself and his teammates better.
To be clear, I’m not making a major deal out of this, yet. If Bradford misses any more time in the preseason, then this becomes an issue. The quarterback and the offense have got to have a certain amount of in-game experience together in order to be properly prepared for the regular season.
The same can be said for running back DeMarco Murray, who also appears unlikely to play at this point. It’s one thing to miss time in the preseason if you’re a guy who has been on the team for a number of years and you’ve already established yourself and a rapport with your teammates. It’s a whole different story if you’re one of many guys coming together to a new situation and a new system. He’s got to get used to running behind his new offensive lineman, and he’s got to get out there to be prepared for Opening Night in Atlanta.
This is not a big deal. Same with Alonso and Murray not playing. Why do we care about seeing these guys in the first pre-season game when their prone to injury and the regular season is still a month away. When it comes to important players like these guys, the biggest concern should be having them 100% healthy Week 1.
Yes, we’ve all been biting our fingernails for the return of Sam Bradford, but he’s only been practicing full speed for 2 weeks it makes no sense to rush him back. He will see time in the next two preseason games, which should be enough to get him readjusted to the speed of the game. Confidence in his knee will take some time, and by that I mean more than 4 preseason games. He needs to get hit repeatedly and stand back up in order to feel comfortable. And I don’t think they are trying to expose him to hits this early.
Nothing to see here.
***They’re
I’ll be at the the game Sunday and I don’t want to see Mark Sanchez with the starters. I know he is below mediocrity with his pip squeak arm. The birds drafted a first round WR to add to their passing game and Sanchez can’t even throw it far enough to reach Riley Cooper.
This is hilarious ….every media outlet is saying that they are not making a big deal out of this and yet they ARE ALL making a big deal out of it.
The guy just started with 11 on 11s last week. What is the harm in giving him an extra week?
I’d bet the vast majority of fans appreciate the caution Kelly is taking here. The vast majority of the media, on the other hand…..not so much.
Ertz out for the entire preseason. This isn’t starting out very well is it?
Sports Science, Big!
Haven’t you heard, we’re the healthiest team in the league haha
Yea it was actually a true fact that the Birds have been the healthiest team in football the past two years so that sports science thing is nothing but a poistive if you are truly are a fan of this team (obviously with a game like football there will always be injuries). I mean who wouldn’t want a coach that will try anything in his power to keep his guys healthy and focused. I mean its not like we ever blew opponents off the field because they could barely breathe going into the 3rd quarter/fake injuries to keep up with us…But hey obviously a guy that writes articles for Gcobb.com for a career knows more about NFL football then Chip Kelly
I don’t give a shit if any of our valuable starters play at all in preseason. Just imagine if one of our better players gets hurt in a MEANINGLESS preseason game…these same writers would be all over chip kelly like why is he playing these guys. Philly media is such a joke the majority of the time. On one hand they will dwell on the fact that Murray had a ton of touches last year then on the other hand they will try to make a huge story of Murray getting extra rest in a football practice as if the dude forgot how to run all of a sudden..they will do anything to create a story
But Pheags88 wasn’t it major articles written about sleep studies and how the Eagles were ahead of the curve? All the sports science in the world won’t stop the injuries in football so why write those stories? Keeping them focused is his damn job. Keeping them healthy the luck of the draw. So again why bother? What if Ertz’s core injury was a result of his training to keep up with the fast break offense? Would that be a non story?
Good points pheags88…the injuries are a bit concerning tho…they are piling up before we begin the preseason..but they should take it easy on Murray, no problem sitting Bradford and others out…
Oh relax haha its just a little sarcasm from a guy (me) who has always been a little skeptical about Chip Kelly.
I kinda see this as a non story Denny. I’m not surprised. I’m gonna wait a week to see if the flag of discontent is needed.
Yeah exactly and that was my point too, I touched on that towards the end of the article. For the time being its not a big deal but anything more than this and it does become a problem…its like Garry said on his post, sooner or later Kelly has to take that red shirt off of Bradford
This season is shaping up to be very damn interesting.
SMH
**Trade Alert****
Eagles Send QB Sam Bradford & LB Michael Kendricks to the NY Jets
for QB Geno Smith & DT Sheldon Richardson… Details at 6pm…
Fail
You did not get enough attention as a child
LOL!!!
Hac you must have made a serious commitment everytime pman says anything dumb you are right there to call him out…..he says so much and you never miss a beat….lol….u gotta let pman be pman
He is Lenny from Of Mice and Men! ‘I didn’t mean to kill the soft bunny George, I like the bunny’
Lol……funny stuff…..yo I gotta see straight outta compton…..heard that joint straight fire
Next man up …and it’s only pre season ..chimp alert ..at Boone zoo ..he’s had all off season to make shit up and fling it around…Duck!
On a Semi-Serious Note
Watching the Bills/Panthers Pre-Season Game
The Panthers WR’s Kelvin Benjamin looks to be in great shape and quicker
Than last year.. They say he’s lost 10-12 Lbs and he is very difficult to guard 1 on 1 …
Panthers 2nd Round Pick WR Devin Funchess looks pretty good
Panthers 5th Round Picks LB David Mayo and RB C Artis-Payne look like solid Picks
CamNewton started slow as usual but warmed up and had a nice drive in his 3rd Series that led to a TD
On the Bills Side
Back-Up QB Tyrod Taylor looks good in this Bills Offense and moves around well.. RB L McCoy had a few Carries and working into game shape and looked bigger in the butt/legs than with the Eagles, maybe it’s the uniforms
Bills WR’s Watkins & Goodson look good, Bryce Brown a couple of Touches
Watched a little of the Falcons & Titans Game and WR Julio Jones was playing like he was possessed and just difficult to stay with, andthentackle in the open field… He & QB Matt Ryan were in mid-season form and the Falcons are going to put up points on everyone if they are healthy..