Bradford Is Anxious, Smith is Out & Wolff Is Gone, As Eagles Prepare For Ravens

Sam Bradford had success throwing the football this week against the Baltimore Ravens but that was without the serious pass rush pressure of outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumerville.  Their backers can bring the heat off the corner and they can create some serious problems for a passing game.  They’ll be a good test for the Eagles offensive line on Saturday and of course they’ll be a good challenge for Bradford, who will be getting his action of the preseason.

Bradford admitted that he’s a little nervous about getting hit, but he’s eager to get it over with.  Brandon Lee Gowten of BleedingGreenNation.com writes about Bradford’s eagerness to get back out there and get hit. 

“I think it’s always good to get that first hit out of the way”, Bradford said. “You never like to get hit, but I think sometimes it gets you in the flow of the game. Hopefully it doesn’t happen, hopefully it’s not a big shot, but I wouldn’t hate going to the ground once and getting up and knowing that I’m going to be OK.”

I hope he wasn’t watching the Redskins vs. Lions last night.  Robert Griffin III was nearly destroyed in the game.  The Eagles offensive line must do a much better job against the Ravens than Washington did against the Detroit.

The Eagles could have a serious depth problem at outside linebacker.  Right now, they’re depending on Marcus Smith to backup Conner Barwin and Brandon Graham, but he went down yesterday with a hamstring injury and will miss 2 to 3 weeks of action.  It might not be anything serious, but you wonder if Smith can be counted on to be both productive and healthy in that third outside linebacker position.

Remember also that this is Graham first year starting.  They need some sack numbers out of him from the Predator or number one pass rushing position.  We’ll see.

Philly.com columnist Paul Domowitch talks about Special Teams star Bryan Braman taking that role.  Braman has the size and speed to do the job, but we’ll have to wait and see if he can make plays.

The Eagles also have the option of standing up defensive end Vinny Curry.  Curry isn’t comfortable dropping into coverage, but so what Graham isn’t comfortable dropping into coverage either.  Curry would definitely be able to do the job as a pass rusher from the spot.

We knew safety Earl Wolff was on the verge of getting released each time Chip Kelly told us Wolff was cleared to play, but wasn’t practicing.   I feel bad for the youngster, but this is part of the business.

The Eagles have waived/injured Earl Wolff, per sources.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) August 21, 2015