The Eagles defense must play much better tonight than they did last Thursday. The starters will be playing three quarters of football, so we should be able to get a good look at this group.
Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo needs to have everybody on the same page this week because the defense has left receivers uncovered in the first two preseason games. The key for the Birds defense will be getting off the field on third downs. They’ve got to get good communication before the snap, then they need a tenacious pass rush and tight coverage downfield.
Here are the players I will watching closely for most of the evening:
Mike Patterson – The former USC star will play for the first time this preseason. He’ll get the chance to show everybody that he hasn’t missed a beat while being kept off the field because the brain ailment, AVM. I would like to see him get some penetration into the backfield against the run and against the pass. Patterson has tremendous quickness, so he should benefit from Jim Washburn’s attacking style of defensive line play.
Casey Matthews – Every eye in Lincoln Financial Field will be on Matthews when he lines up against the Browns. He needs to prove that he can get off of blocks. The rookie middle linebacker must show us that he recognize screens, draws and traps up the middle. I’d like to see him make a few impact tackles. You may see the Browns running play action plays against the youngster because they know how badly he wants make an impact.
Jamar Chaney – Chaney doesn’t seem comfortable in his new position as the team’s strongside linebacker. I want to see him make a 
few plays against the run like he did a year ago. He needs to continue his tight coverage on the tight ends. I would love to see them let him play a couple of plays at the middle linebacker position.
Nate Allen – Allen is not quite back from his knee surgery. His quickness and change of direction was still not quite there against the Steelers. He won’t start tonight, but he’ll be on the field quite a bit. I want to see him make some plays. The second-year safety needs to show us he’s ready to take his game to another level.
Jarrad Page – He will get the start tonight against the Browns. Page has got valuable experience in the NFL, so he needs to show it by making sure the entire secondary is on the same page. I would like to see him come up in run support and make some tackles in the open field.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – I’ll be interested to see how the Birds line up on third down and long. Will DRC be in the field on second and long? Will he be lined up at the nickel or right cornerback position? Will they use Joselio Hanson or Nmandi Asomugha at the nickel position or have they decided to let him play right cornerback exclusively?
Joselio Hanson – Hanson has more experience at the nickel position, so I’ll be interested in seeing whether he’s on the field on nickel downs or is it DRC playing nickel. Hanson has been a valuable member of the special teams as a hawk, who goes down early on the snap. I want see if he’s out there for those snaps. If he is that’s a sign they may be planning on keeping him around. On the other hand they may be showcasing him for a trade.
The LB’s & Castillo’s play calling, ought to be comical to watch. I don’t know who’s in more over his head, Castillo, or Matthews! I have visions of Peyton Hillis, Joe Thomas & his boys, blowing up the second wave of the Birds DF. Mattews is going to have cleat marks all over him. This could get very ugly, with the quickness.
I think we need a posting on ‘Blogers to watch if eagles do well’ and Blogers to place on suicide watch if Eagles do poorly’ We can then sub-divivde into the offense doing well or poorly and the defense doing well or poorly – are we at the tipping point yet where a bad punt or missed FG is worthy of a 3 paragraph rant – I got it ready – fat Ried, Cheap FO, can’t draft a kicker, shows poor talent evaluation – oh I should wait for the game,,,,,,,
haha navy…ddcar, you and so many other people are so negative, chill out…its preseason.
I’ll be watching up the middle of the Defense as everyone else will be
from the DT’s (no Dixon and LAws tonight) the MLB’s and the Safety play..
The Browns will be faeturings RB’s M HArdesty (a top pick from last season who hurt his knee last years camp and missed the entire 2009 Season)
He’s a 6′ 225lbs with some hops and is the type of back that usually gives the Eagles fits, (R Torrian comes to mind), built low to the ground wth big legs and hard to bring down.. Then they will use 3rd Down RB Brandon Jackson (fromerly of the Packers) who knows the Shurmur/Holmgrem WCO System very well for short-screens,catches of the backfield.. Also watch for the Browns young TE’s (Evan Moore & J Cameron) and their young WR Corps ( Massaquio, Robiskie and rookies G Little and C Matthews who at 6’5″ is a big target..)
I don’t think Hillis or WR J Cribbs are playing but don’t be fooled, this Brown Offense has some very young Talent and P Holmgrem in his 3 Rd Year of being President has changed over the Roster and is finalyl getting his type of players on Offense to run a True WCo which is short passing, slants, screens and bassed on getting “Yards after the Catch” and not the Eagles version which is the Deep Pass and big plays..
he Browns and Holmegrems philosophy is to nickle and dime you down the field tiring out your Defense and then hitting you with big plays once your pooped out and frustrated.. Should be a good teast for the Eagles Defense to remain disciplined and to see how the Starter’s conditioning,stamina and mental toughness hold up
It’s not negativity, it’s realism.
Word on the Streets of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame City is that Holmgrem/Shurmur made a deal with Coach AR and will pass on many of their Offensive plays to him and to DC Castillo so that the LB’s and Castillo will look good and make som nice plays to take some the heat off Castillo and the LB Crew (Matthews in particular).. Browns have their 1st 15 Plays Scripted in which Castillo has 10 of them… Let’s see how he does
Appropriate post, worthless comments. Every single on of them.
Paul, i expected you to say that trying to cover yourself in case Casey has a big game and really shows us something… how pathetic bro, youll do anything to be right and to cover yourself. Sometimes i wonder if your even an eagle fan or a philly fan for that matter…
casey mathews isint going to show us anythign but how to be a backup
Actually I stated it Jon as a joke beacuse I know you so sensitive you are about Matthews.. but to be honest, I expect Matthews to have a strong game tonight as I do the entire 1st Team Defense who all had a humbling experience last week vs the Steelers..