Don’t expect to see much from the starters on either side tonight. We will be seeing these teams square up again two weeks from now and neither team is going to want to show their opponents their game plan.
The Browns are an improving team that plays in a tough division. They are all in on the offensive side of the ball this season- using 2 first round picks on QB Brandon Weeden and RB Trent Richardson. The Eagles pass rush should give Weeden or ex starting QB Colt McCoy a tough time tonight. I think we will see 3+ sacks from the Eagles D line. Richardson will remain on the sideline hoping to be ready to go for the start of the season. Just because it’s going to be a wash game, does not mean there isn’t plenty to watch for. I am going to comment on just a few of them.
Nick Foles
Nick will get the start tonight and get up to a half of snaps, as Mike Kafka is still out with an injured hand. Foles has looked great in the first two games, throwing for a combined 331 yards and 4 TDs. Foles has completed 63.15% of his passes and is leading the league in preseason passer rating through the first 2 games. He has looked strong, confident and poised in the pocket, all things that former Eagles QB, and current Cardinals QB, Kevin Kolb has not. Each time Vick takes off, heading for the End Zone on third down, Eagles fans will be praying that Nick Foles can be the strong, pocket passer, that we will need step in if Vick cracks another rib.
Eagles Backup RBs
I am interested to see if the Eagles give some of their young RBs a big workload tonight. The Browns ranked 30th in run defense last year and used their 1st round picks on offense in the 2012 Draft. It seems like it is going to be a long season for the Browns Defense- the Eagles should have no problem on the ground tonight. Look for a nice mix of 2nd year guy, Dion Lewis, rookie RB Bryce Brown, and undrafted rookie RB Chris Polk. With Shady in the starting spot, it seems like Lewis with be the RB2 – but will the Eagles keep 4 backs on the 53 man roster? The talent and potential is there and all four of these guys will make the team, but what will the depth chart look like come September 9th.
Special Teams
As with any team, the special teams are crucial to the Eagles success. It is essential to many of the guys on this roster and whether or not they will have a job come September 9th. Don’t be surprised to see the Eagles punting on 4th and inches (not that you should ever be surprised about that as an Eagles fan!), and kick returns coming from 6 yards deep in the end zone. Another player to watch is 2nd year safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. Jarrett, a local guy from Temple, was selected in the second round of the 2011 Draft to be one of the many players who would replace Eagles Hall of Fame Safety Brian Dawkins. Thus far he has come up very short of expectations and is now at risk of being cut after just one year in the NFL. Look for him to get some action at Safety and in the Special teams as he continues to seek out a place where he fits in on this roster.
Demetress Bell vs. King Dunlap
Who will win over the start Left Tackle job protecting Mike Vick’s strong side? This is an ongoing battle through camp and it will be interesting to see who wins the starting job with All Pro LT Jason Peters likely being out with a torn Achilles. I think that Bell will ultimately get the starting job but Dunlap isn’t going down without a fight. Tomorrow morning will have a much clearer answer.
Prediction:
Eagles win big 27-10 setting the tone for Week 1.
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