What do we take away from last night’s preseason game against the Pats? Well a few notes before I get into it -
· The Patriots played essentially none of their starters, so it is difficult to judge the Eagle’s first team players. There is mental focus that is not all there when you are playing a preseason game, not to mention, one where your opponent is seemingly throwing in the towel before the game even starts.
· Preseason games get coaches to focus on pieces of the game. Coaches would like to see how the defense can play in cover 2, certain blitz packages or in press coverage. These are usually not put into place to win the game per say, but more to gauge the most effective game plans for the regular season. This again makes preseason games often seem like something they are not.
The Good
The Eagles defensive line had another outstanding evening. 2 sacks were recorded but the line was causing havoc to any QB the Patriots put in the huddle. The Patriots were also held to only 61 yards on the ground (averaging 2.1 yards per carry) with their first team RBs playing much of the 1st half. The effective pass rush also led to an INT - which was called back on a roughing the passer flag (see: “The Ugly”)
The Eagles continue to look strong in the second half and do what they need to in order to win the game. I know I know – “it’s the second or third team players!” I get that, but this Eagles team blew numerous second half leads a season ago, which cost this team 4+ wins. Any improvement is good in this guy’s eyes.
Nick Foles – Could this young QB be the future of this franchise? Vick’s health concerns are well documented and Foles could see some legitimate time this season as the #2 QB (which Andy Reid will soon name him). He has shown strength, confidence, IQ, and the ability to win a game- qualities that most rookie QBs do not have. I’m not calling for Nick to be the starter, but Reid is a quarterback coach at heart and with (hopefully) a few more years out of Vick – this kid could be the future come 2014.
The Bad
Cue the broken record! The LBs looked very weak last night. DeMeco Ryans, the Eagles cure to the cancer that has plagued this defense last season has not shown up in either of the preseason games. He hasn’t been unable to run down the RBs on the outside and continues to the get pushed around in the middle. I don’t have a good feeling about this one. The LB’s continue to get pounded against the screen which has been brutal to the eagles, especially on third down. As with any blitz heavy team the screen will catch up to you at times but a 20 yard gain by Shane Vereen on 3rd down deep in eagles territory can be the difference between a win and a loss in Metlife stadium come week 17.
The Ugly
The penalties are still burning in my mind hours after this game. These were not 1st and 10 false starts, these are 3rd down flags, INT’s voided because of flags, 1st, 2nd and 3rd team flags! Flags on flags on flags! Yes these are replacement refs, but there is a good chance we will see these refs come the regular season, so we better get used to it! I can give a pass to the illegal substitution penalties since it seems like there are 275 players on the sidelines, but FOUR roughing calls!?!?! Yes, that was not a typo – the eagles committed 4 unnecessary roughing calls last night. Three on defense, one of which was on a third-down interception by Rodgers-Cromartie
that would have put the Eagles on the Patriots 30 yard line in the 1st quarter. Instead Fletcher Cox hit Ryan Mallot late causing 15 extra yards and a first down- later leading to a touchdown (after an 3rd and 7 defensive holding gave the Pats another 1st down later in the drive). The Eagles totaled 16 penalties for a total of 131 yards to the Patriots 7 for 60 yards. Is this going to continue to be an issue in the regular season? Better not be if the Eagles plan on winning games.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that the Eagles do not click. Lucky for them, these games are meaningless. Looking back to the last 4 games of the 2011 campaign, when this team is on, they can be the team to beat. Eagles fans everywhere are hoping that they can get these bumps and bruises worked out and can figure out a way to get off the field on 3rd downs. As of right now, this Eagles fan is skeptical, but still optimistic that this Eagles team will be special.
Next game: Eagles @ Browns Friday August 24th 7:30 PM
Don’t expect much on Friday as the neither team is likely to tip their hand as they will face off in a week 1 matchup. “What to watch for” post coming soon!
