• March 28, 2024

Five Thoughts From Eagles-Patriots

1. Thumbs Down To Mike Vick

All throughout the off-season, all we heard was that Michael Vick understood that he had to change certain aspects about the way he plays the game in order for this team to have a chance to return to the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl.

The Eagles told us Vick would benefit from a full off-season to work with the coaching staff, and Vick himself assured us that he would take steps to alter his game and protect himself from taking as many hits during games.

So far, the Vick we’ve seen in the first two preseason games is no different from the Vick that finished the disappointing 2011 season. He’s indecisive in the pocket, he dives to finish runs instead of sliding, and he’s still hanging on to the ball too long.

We’ve seen Vick for twelve plays, and he’s already sustained two injuries.

Even though the sample we’ve seen from Vick so far is a very small one, we haven’t seen a single positive sign. There’s been absolutely no evidence that he’s changed some of the flaws in his game.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me. A player in his 30’s that has been in the league for over a decade isn’t very likely to break certain bad habits or drastically change his style of play.

Expecting Vick to slide and play smart in the field is like expecting Jimmy Rollins to play small ball and act like a traditional lead-off hitter instead of swinging for the fences in every at-bat…its a nice what-if scenario to ponder, but it will never be a reality.

2. You Wanted Nick Foles? You’ve Got Him!

The silver lining to the Vick injuries is that they’ve opened the door for Nick Foles to take a great amount of reps with the first team offense. The rookie is well on his way to taking the backup job away from Mike Kafka after two very impressive performances in the first two games.

I’d be very surprised if Vick suits up for Friday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, so Foles will likely receive the majority of the playing time under center in that game as well. And personally, I can’t wait to see more of him.

Foles has been the biggest bright spot of the offense in the preseason so far, and its been fun to watch him develop so far. While I believe he may have already gained the lead on Kafka for the primary backup job, he could secure it with another strong performance on Friday.

Its amazing how just a couple of months ago, Foles was the one draft pick of the 2012 class that a lot of people questioned, and suddenly he looks like he could be the most important pick out of them all.

With Michael Vick’s painfully obvious inability to stay off of the injury report, the Eagles are going to need their backup quarterback to play anywhere from three to five games this year. By increasing his reps and experiencing success with the first team, Foles is quickly asserting himself as the team’s best option in the quite-likely event of an emergency.

3. Young Defensive Players Provide Reasons For Optimism

The Eagles should be very excited about some of the young defensive talent that they’ve got on this football team.

Few players on the defensive side of the ball have stood out as much as Mychal Kendricks. The rookie enjoyed another solid effort in his second preseason game, making his presence felt with six total tackles.

Kendricks is constantly around the football. He’s quick, powerful, and finds his way in on a lot of plays. The Eagles haven’t had this much reason to be optimistic about an outside linebacker since Carlos Emmons was in his prime.

Phillip Hunt has been the most impressive of the defensive lineman. He’s getting to the quarterback, stuffing the run, piling up sacks, and forcing turnovers.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie continues to impress. He’s had a good preseason, and it looks as though the team won’t miss Asante Samuel that much.

Cedric Thornton has played so well, he’s getting closer to cementing his roster spot every week.

Of course, you have to keep these impressive performances in perspective; the Patriots didn’t play 13 of their starters, including the most important one of all, Tom Brady. A year ago, Brady picked Juan Castillo’s defense apart in Philadelphia, and last night was on the sidelines. It would have been nice the see the young defense see a stiff challenge, but for now we’ll have to be content with the positive flashes that some of these guys are showing.

4. Roster Battles Are Being Decided

With each preseason game, the final 53-man roster picture becomes a little more clear.

Stanley Havili looks head and shoulders above his competition for the fullback job. Emil Igwenagu is strictly a blocker, and doesn’t have the offensive skill set of Havili.

King Dunlap turned in a pretty solid performance, and it looks more and more like he’ll be the guy at left tackle to start the season. He’s playing well, and Demetress Bell is lost trying to learn the necessary technique.

Bryce Brown is going to be the team’s third string running back. He’s such an obvious, impressive talent. Chris Polk could be a practice squad candidate if he isn’t picked up by another team, but Brown is too versatile and explosive, fitting the mold of what Andy Reid looks for in a running back better than his competition.

Antonio Dixon is losing more ground to Cedric Thornton each week. Thornton has been a highlight reel, and Dixon just isn’t a fit for Jim Washburn’s scheme.

Akeem Jordan will make this team over Keenan Clayton. Jordan’s a top special teamer, and can start at any of the linebacker positions if needed. Clayton has great talent, but he’s been very slow to pick up the scheme and gain the trust of the coaches since he’s been here.

Damaris Johnson might have a roster spot locked up already if he’d stop dropping catchable passes.

Curtis Marsh has really distinguished himself from the other backup cornerbacks, and at this point looks like a lock to make the team.

5. Remaining Questions

What’s going to happen at weakside linebacker? Brian Rolle hasn’t done much to impress in two starts, but Jamar Chaney hasn’t been able to get on the field yet to challenge him for the job. Regardless, I don’t see Rolle lasting the entire year as the starter.

Jaiquawn Jarrett received only a handful of reps after struggling against the Steelers. He doesn’t seem likely to make the team at this point, he’s fallen behind Tom Nelson on the depth chart. Is safety going to be a position that the Eagles will be looking for help at on the waiver wire?

Does Marvin McNutt still have a good chance to make this team? We haven’t seen much of him after the first two preseason games. Would the Eagles take a chance that they could sneak him on to the practice squad and only keep five receivers?

 

 

 

 

 

Denny Basens

Read Previous

Eagles Offensive Line Must Give Vick Better Protection

Read Next

Unlike Kolb And Kafka, Nick Foles Is A Legitimate Prospect

0 0 votes
Article Rating
9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
paulman
paulman
August 21, 2012 11:11 am

Some Good Points Denny and your comments about potential players making the Roster were pretty clsoe to my assesment.. I do not believe Danrius Johnson has anything locked up though and missed a golden Opportunity last evening to grab a hold of that Spot.. Quitely , Mardy Gilyard is playing better and better and just appears more confident where Johnsons clearly had the jitters last evening.. McNutt did very little to impress and Jarrett continues to fall behind Nelson though Jarrett actually played well in his limited Reps.. Safety Tom Nelson has impressed with his Special Teams Play and Physicality and I believe will be the 4th Safety on the 53 Man Roster as Jarrett Gets released and the injured COlt Anderson continues to remain on the PUP List and maybe become activated in mid-October afer the 5th Week
A couple players I thought Defensively who cemtented Roster Spots last evening were the one’s I watching closely.. DE Hunt, DT Thornton and CB Marsh.. DT Dixon did play better last evening and I believe is in a battle with
Derek Landri for the 5th and Final DT Spot.. DE Brandon Graham was quiet last evening and seemed to lack the energy and the sense of urgency to be a rotational player and while Darryl Tapp did make some plays, I believe, as I stated all off-season, that Tapp will be traded (and probably next week) to a Team in need of DE Depth which there are many Teams where he could be a solid back-up player..

LB wise, Kendricks is the real deal and has been very impressive in his speed,explosion to the ball and even his pass-coverage skills though he got burned on a TD pass, it was a perfect pass just above his outreached hands even though he was in very good position..
MLB D Ryans started a little slowly in the 1st Quarter but came on in the 2nd Quarter as it appears he got his legs under hime and finished the game strong which is a positive for this Defense..

Safety Nate Allen had a very strong game and Coleman was steady as usual and Tom Nelson played well I though as a back-up
CB’s DRC and Asmo had strong games, Asmo was very agressive in his reads and make decisive break on the ball and even made some nice etackles .. Curtis Marsh played wekk and plays with a swagger, He’s physical and not afraid to stick his nose in there.. Wonder if he could be converted to a Safety down the Road, he has the size and speed and Brandon Hughes also played well and had good coverages all game..

DCar
DCar
August 21, 2012 1:49 pm

Paul, Dixon ain’t beating out Landri. Tapp, is a waste of $$$. Both are goners. I love Kendicks, he tackles great, is good against the run & from sideline to sideline, but hasn’t shown he can hang with the TE’s in pass coverage. I’ve been saying, since we drafted him, he should be our starting WILL, where he can be a playmaking machine. IMHO, we STILL don’t have an option at the SAM. Allen, finally looks healthy, faster & good in coverage. Asomugha DID NOT look good, AGAIN. DRC looks good, but is hurt & ??? Boykin & Marsh, will be the backups, & Hansen could be on his way out.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 22, 2012 12:33 am
Reply to  DCar

DCar it would be best for the Eagles to trade Tapp, and Dixon, which is what Paul has been saying for a while, for some draft picks 4th, and 5th rounds respectively.

DCar
DCar
August 22, 2012 1:38 am
Reply to  gmcliff

Tapp has a cap hit of $3,575,000, we ain’t getting squat for him. He gets released. I’m very disappointed that Dixon came into camp, an out of shape, FAT PIG, because he had a lot of promise a few years ago.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 22, 2012 12:34 am
Reply to  DCar

Kendricks would be best served playing the weakside.

DCar
DCar
August 22, 2012 1:38 am
Reply to  gmcliff

Agreed.

Frank22
Frank22
August 21, 2012 3:00 pm

in regards to Kendricks, Juan was using his as a blitzer and he seemed to have some freedom in JC’s D. I read that in Juans D he needs his best linebacker at SAM

here it is …. from iggles blitz

i am not going to pretend I know as much as these guys about the LB position, just a little prespective…

Back to Cobb’s point about Kendricks at WIL. Should Castillo move him there to take better advantage of his ability? The problem here is that Cobb is basing his thoughts on the schemes he played in. Castillo has a different set of ideas. Usually the WLB is the most important OLB. He’s expected to be the playmaker. The SAM does the dirty work. Castillo has SAM as the most important LB in his system. He specifically wants the best guy there.

Before you scoff at his stupidity, the Vikings do the same thing. They have Chad Greenway as the SAM. Ben Leber was the WIL, despite the fact he is exactly what you’d want in a traditional SAM. Greenway has been a terrific NFL player and the Vikings front seven is generally very good, sometimes outstanding. The secondary has been a mess due to injuries and underachievers and that has hurt the overall defense.

paulman
paulman
August 22, 2012 8:41 am

I think the LB Corp will eventually be Kendricks at WILL, Ryans at MIKE and Chaney at SAM… Matthews and Jordan will be Back-ups and the Eagles will grab another LB off waivers to updgrade the Position..
I think Clayton,Rolle are both goners with Rau or Simmons to the Practice Squad

paulman
paulman
August 22, 2012 8:55 am

I believe 5 Roster Spots for back-ups are still wide open right now adn that these last 2 Pre-Season Games will determine who makes it

1 at WR – D Johnson,McNutt, Gilyard & Chad Hall fighting for last WR position..It’s D Johnson to lose, but Gilyard is coming on strong

1 at Back-up OL- Mike Gibson, S Vallos, DJ Jones, Brandon Washington,Tom Welch for 1 Spot remaining (Gibson is my selection)

1 at LB Corps – Rolle,Clayton,SImmons fighting for last spot, I beleive the Eagles bring in another LB off the Waiver Wire and all 3 don’t make final roster.

1 at Safety – Nelson,Jarrett and Thomas figting for last spot, I believe again that Eagles will bring in another Safety off the Waiver wire, if not, then Nelson makes the Squad due to his Special Teams Play (I expect COlet Anderson to reamin on the PUP list and then possibliy activated after Week #5 to join to roster and replace NElson, but Anderson may still not be fully recovered by then which means he gets placed on IR

1 at FB – Havilli has the upper hand iove Igwenagu , but I do believe the Eagles will transition Clay Harbor in the the “FB/HB” Role taking the position which allows the Eagles to pick-up a blocking TE who can help along the Line of Scrimmage next to the whoever plays LT in Short-yardage/Red-Zone situations

Potential Trades over the Weekend

DE Darryl Tapp to the Patriots,Falcons,Dolphins or Vikings for a 5th Rd Pick in 2013 as Teams try to fortify their DE’s POsitions