What to Watch for Tonight

8/30/2012 New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles

The fourth preseason game is an interesting one.  Many think that, at this point, the starters will all sit and therefore the game is completely meaningless.  Let me tell you how meaningful this game actually is.

-          For 22 players, this game will be the last in Eagles Green. Come Friday afternoon 22 players will be cut in order to meet the NFL limit of 53 men on the roster.

-          Many of these “no-namers” could see starting time come mid-season when starters face injuries.

-          The special teams unit is always made of, primarily, 2^nd and 3^rd string players.  When the Browns run a punt back 40 yards or a Kick off gets brought back to the 9 yard line on a holding penalty, remember how “meaningless” the fourth preseason game was.

So be careful before you say that this fourth preseason game doesn’t matter. 

I want to point out a few things to watch for tonight.

1.       Demetress Bell – Bell is playing tonight with starting LT King Dunlap having the night off.  The Eagles are still looking to fill the shoes of all pro LT Jason Peters, who will miss the entire season due to a torn Achilles.  Will Demetress be able to fight back and gain that starting job? Will he play so poorly that the Eagles decide his contract isn’t worth it? These are things to watch for tonight.  I would be surprised if he were to get cut, but crazy Andy has done crazier things.

2.       Defensive Line – I am not jealous of the coaching staff when it comes down to making cuts, especially on the defensive line.  The D-Line is as stacked as it has even been and any player cut will likely have little issue finding a team elsewhere.  Tonight will be the last chance for these guys to show what they are made of. Keep an eye out for Antonio Dixon, who may be beaten out by surprising rookie, Cedric Thornton. The Eagles will likely keep 10 players on the line, but there are 14 players fighting for those spots.  It will be interesting to see who shows up for tonight’s game.  

3.       Nick Foles- Well I haven’t been able to post without including Foles in the picture.  I am still waiting to see the rookie moments that are expected out of a third round draft pick.  Can Nick start this game and continue to look strong as the Eagles back up? Meanwhile Trent Edwards will be playing for a spot as the QB3 while Mike Kafka remains sidelined with a fracture in his non-throwing hand.

4.       Akeem Jordan – Akeem is back to the Weakside LB position (where he started his career with the Eagles) and tonight will get up to a quarter of action as he continues to transition from the strong side back to the weak. Rookie LB, Mychael Kendricks has been the best linebacker on the team this preseason and will be starting opposite Akeem come opening week.  I am interested to see how Jordan plays tonight and see if the Eagles LBs will have another season of mediocrity.

What not to watch for:
  1. Tim Tebow - No one cares anymore. Tebow is a below average QB and only help he will provide to the the Jets, is the ability to go TD-less in the preseason. Screew you Tebow.

Eagles win big but the Jets get their first touchdown of the preseason. Eagles 24 Jets 10.