I’m not going to dig too deep into this game as the starters didn’t get a ton of work and a lot of guys out there in the first preseason game aren’t going to be on an NFL roster this year. So let’s get to some quick observations:
What I liked…
-Kevin Kolb looked very sharp at times. He’s got a lot of weapons to throw to and his biggest job is just to play point guard. Get it into their hands and let them do the rest. It looks like he can make certain throws in his sleep.
-The defense did a great job in their six snaps, which were two three-and-out drives. Not to pour water on a nice outing, but I’ll mitigate my enthusiasm considering Jacksonville stinks. I’ve always been a David Garrard fan, but he is a shell of himself these days. And it’s not like he has anyone to throw the ball to anyway.
-How can you not love MJD? Sure, we didn’t see much of him last night, but I just wanted to mention that. Herca-lees! Herca-lees!
-Is it safe to say Riley Cooper is a lock to make this team? Safe to say that he could even contribute this year?
-I’m trying to think back to when (if ever) the Eagles had a pair of starting wide receivers like DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Mike Quick never had anyone of comparable ability on the other side of him. I love Freddie and Calvin but….c’mon. Harold Carmichael and Harold Jackson played together for about two years, but now I’m just grasping at straws. Jackson and Maclin are must-watch television every Sunday.
-Austin Howard, huh?
-I think I’ll take Mike McGlynn over Nick Cole at center.
…and not so much…
-Quick question for the first-team offense: Is that a running game or some sort of sick joke?
-And how about the backups in the secondary? The Eagles better pray they don’t lose starters back there, because it doesn’t look like the backups can play.
-Keeping with that theme, you really gave up that TD to Troy Williamson? Does anyone know how bad that guy is?
-I think it’s great that so many people are talking about how great Michael Vick was last night. Are you out of your mind? Yeah, it’s cute to watch him run around (he looks much better in that department, but don’t tell me he’s all the way back. YouTube his highlights from when he is younger. He will never run like that again), but I didn’t think the fumble and the interception were all that funny. That stuff kills you. If I want a highlight reel, I’ll find some old Dominique Wilkins footage. Playing NFL quarterback requires a detailed level of decision making that I don’t believe Vick possesses.
-Speaking of poor decisions, if you noticed, I wasn’t entirely effusive in my praise of Kolb. He did a nice job. As Dom Deluise said in Mel Brooks’ “History of the World:” “Nice. Nice. Not thrilling. Nice.” The reason I wasn’t thrilled was some of the poor choices he made trying to force balls where they wouldn’t fit. A more talented secondary (and oh they exist out there. Jacksonville isn’t very good. Ask them how much they love Reggie Nelson) might have had a few picks. Turnovers will kill you.
That’s all for now. Overall, we are dealing with a young team that is very talented. The talent will make our jaws drop, but they have to be careful that poor youthful decisions and mental errors don’t cost them too many games.
Jacksonville only ran the ball 9 times but their backup QB looked all world against Eagles backups.
The Eagles are missing just one ingredient – a mature experienced Pro Bowl quartertback. I saw one on http://www.redskins.com. He really looked good inspite of the subpar receiving corp he had to work with. Imagine what he could do with all the talent we have here!
McGlynn over Cole anyday.
Chad Hall will not make this team. Too small and too slow. He has no advantage over other players. If you’re that small you better have some speed. But he was getting ran down quite easily which doesn’t bode well for him with a team already stacked at WR.
Don’t be shocked if Hall makes the team; he’s from Salt Lake City and you know what that means… ala Reno Mahe, though Hall has far more skills.
Yeah he has more skills than Mahe but he would be a waste on this team this year. You have better and faster kick returners and WRs. He is not making this team. The backup punter isn’t either.
Coach Reid likes the kid and played him a lot to showcase him for maybe someone else to pick-up
Did TE Harbor play much and do anything, I didn’t see the game and did not read/hear much on him, RB C Scott, DE R Sapp & WR K Washington…
Yeah Reid let him play to showcase for another team. He won’t be on this team that’s for sure. He’s just not fast enough for a guy his size. He did all return duties and looked bad on some and ok on others. Same thing with the backup punter. He did all the kickoffs which looked terrible. He won’t make this team either. Rocca spot is safe. Harbor didn’t play much but he played more than Ingram. No one on offense did anything except the usual suspects. With the second team is was mostly the Vick show with a little Cooper in there.
At one point the game got so dull, everyone started doing the wave. It did like 20-25 laps around the stadium. That’s a lot. It was so many everyone was laughing like “again”?
Pretty good article. Thanks.
Kolb understands this offense and looks to get rid of the ball which is a must to be successful. Celek has to catch the ball in the end zone, it was a good throw. The scrable for on third down was very impressive because the line allowed penetration on that play and it would have been a sack if he didn’t run, he got the first down to kkep the drive going. Kolb has to stop trying to force the ball into double coverage with the talent he can throw to. Avant saved one interception and he threw into double coverage with DJax running free on a post on another play.
Let me just say I love Maclin, but DJax plays at a different speed than everyone else is literally always open. Kolb didn’t lead him on his second reception that may have gone for a touchdown if he hit him in stride.
Peters was playing with Harvey and could have played with 1 hand tied behind his back.
McCoy hand some nice runs, but also let a couple big gains get away. The line didn’t do as bad once I rewatched all the runs from the first team line. Not dominating, but you can’t expect each guy to have a pancake every play. There were lanes McCoy missed, he won’t be happy after he sees the film.
Speaking of pancakes, can Austin Howard play gurard? Herrimans, McGlinn and let Howard and Andrews compete for the guard position. I can live with those interior lineman.
Hall plays fast, he tripped himself up a few times. He flew around the end on a sweep for big yards. He got open deep twice for 1 long reception and should have caught the second pass. He has to have a few impressive punts returns to secure a spot, but I was impressive with him. He can play in this league if he can keep his feet under him and lessen jitterbugging.
my thoughts
jags not good at all not even good to scrimmage against