1. The Most Popular Man In Town
Nick Foles came through with another impressive performance against the Browns on Friday night. The rookie completed 12 of 19 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He might have even had a third score if rookie wideout Damaris Johnson had been able to keep his feet in bounds on a near-catch in the second quarter. Foles outplayed Cleveland starter (and first-round pick) Brandon Weeden, and has shined more brightly than any other rookie on the team.
Once again, the most impressive thing about Foles wasn’t his numbers, but rather his poise. He’s shown that he has a short memory, and can easily shake off an interception or a big hit. He turned the ball over on the first possession of the game after underthrowing a deep pass to DeSean Jackson, but kept his head up and came back strong.
He’s the unquestioned number two quarterback right now. Foles has completely blown away the weak-armed Mike Kafka, and the coaches should have no problem trusting the rookie after watching him enjoy such a high level of success with the first-team offense.
2. Another Bad Game For Nnamdi
How can you not be alarmed by the play of Nnamdi Asomugha this preseason?
In Friday’s game, the veteran corner allowed three completions, and was a major reason that the Cleveland offense was able to move down the field against the Birds’ first-team defense.
Throughout the preseason, he’s been indecisive, and hasn’t made many good plays while defending the pass. This guy is supposed to be on the level of Jets’ corner Darrelle Revis, and throughout his career we’ve seen a player who has been average at best.
The Eagles need Asomugha to be great, and he’s been anything but that. Sure, one could argue that he’s not being put in the best position to succeed by defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, but if he was truly one of the game’s great cornerbacks, he’d be able to make the necessary adjustments to succeed in whatever scheme he’s put in.
3. Difficult Decisions Ahead
Cut-down day is approaching fast, and the Eagles are going to have a lot of tough decisions make when they select who stays and goes on this roster.
Is Mike Kafka still a lock to make this team? Trent Edwards doesn’t overwhelm anyone, but his previous starting experience and his play this preseason should warrant him some serious consideration to stick on the roster. Unlike Edwards, Kafka has accomplished nothing in this league, and there are serious questions about his physical abilities. If the Eagles are now sold on Foles as their backup, what value does Kafka provide as the third-string guy? I’d rather have a veteran at the end of the depth chart than another developmental-quarterback with physical limits and no proven track record.
Bryce Brown is without a doubt going to make the team, but it will be difficult for the Eagles to release Chris Polk. Polk turned in his best game of the preseason, picking up 39 yards on six carries. His running style doesn’t fit the mold of what Andy Reid typically looks for in a running back, but he’s been very impressive.
Keenan Clayton looked like his name would be among those released at final cuts, but a strong performance on Friday got him back into the running for a job. He blocked a punt on special teams, was in on three tackles, and also broke up a pass. The talent has always been there for Clayton, but for some reason he’s never earned the trust of coaching staff.
4. Veterans On The Bubble
Does Casey Matthews make this team? I think he’s got to suit up and play well in the final preseason game to lock up his roster spot. He’s sat out the last two games, and it isn’t clear what, if any, role the former fourth-round pick has on this team. Jamar Chaney and Akeem Jordan are better options at any of the linebacker positions than Matthews at this point, and personally I like what Keenan Clayton brings to the table more than Matthews. The second-year man hasn’t shown anything exceptional since entering the league, and all he’s ever seemed to have going for him is his last name.
Jaiquawn Jarrett has only shown that he can’t play in this league, and even a decent showing against the Jets might not be enough to save his roster spot. The Eagles will probably have to look to the waiver wire to pick up some additional depth at safety.
Demetress Bell just hasn’t been working out. He’s not showing anything to make me think he’ll be the starter at left tackle on opening day, or at any point during the season. As I’ve mentioned previously, the whole situation is very reminiscent of Stacy Andrews’ time in Philadelphia. The Eagles awarded Andrews a huge deal in the off-season, only to bench him for the remainder of the season just one week into the 2009 year. I don’t know that the Eagles would be so quick to flat out release Bell, but I think they’ll be in the market for some help at offensive tackle.
There are of lot teams in dire need of OT’s (Cardinals,Steelers,Ravens,Rams,Dolphins,Vikings,Jaguars) just to name a few Teams.. Bell’s is obviously athletic or a big man, but he is hving a difficult time pickin up Howard Mud’s Scheme.. They may be able to trade Bell and get something n return and get out of that contracct for him… Back-ups JD Jones and Tom Welch as well as Draft choice Kelly have improved as Camp has gone on… Bell has gone he other way and regressed
I aso hink Atogwe is in jeopardy of not making he 53Man Roste nd has done very little al Summer long.. f he can’t play Special Team (and he hasn’t in about 5 Seasons, I rellay don’t see how youkeep bacak-up Safty on th Roster who contributes nothing else.. Those Backup LBs and Safeties need to be an important pat o Special Teams and Atogwe is not…
Phillip Thomas may snatch Atogwe’s spot on the roster, that kid looked pretty good and seems to have really good instincts on how to play over the top in cover-2 and probably other schemes that would have him behind the receiver.
On Friday night, the Cleveland Browns Defense was formally introduced to Folesome Prison. That youngster looked, poised, relaxed, and confident in the pocket. His ability to scramble, go through his progressions either throw the ball away (if neccessary) or deliver a precise pass almost belies his age. NOW COMES MY SUGGESTION… Since we were able to hood wink the Cards for DRC and a 2nd round pick that got traded again to the Cards for a later 2nd round pick and a 4th rounder and in the rounds pick up Vinny Curry and Brandon Boykin, lets NOW trade Nnamdi, Kafka and Avant to the Cards for Larry Fitzgerald and a future 3rd round pick in 2013 draft. Start Marsh or Boykin in place of Nnamdi (BECAUSE THEY CAN DO JUST AS GOOD AS A JOB THAT HE IS DOING HE IS STINKING UP THE JOINT) Make Fitzgerald our #1 Jackson our #2 Macklin our slot and Johnson our 4th! Tell me what you think PAULMAN what do you guys think about this.
If Cardinals trade Fitz they take a $15M Salary cap hit ($20M prorated- $5M current salary). On top of that they would have to eat Nahmdi’s $11M and another $3M for Avant and Kafka……would probably be too expensive, but would give them a pretty scary secondary with Peterson, Rhodes and Wilson.
Avant would be an upgrade over Doucet and Roberts.
I don’t see how Kafka would fit into the equation. Cardinals don’t need a backup QB as one would have to assume Skelton (cut Kolb loose) would backup whoever they go after next year.
Unfortunately you would have to get agreement from the cards on this…. And um, they have just been raped by Andy, you think they go back for seconds? It takes two to tango… You need a Dance partner
Put the aqua bong down, before you come up with idiotic trade proposals.
Asomugha, might wind up being the biggest gaffe of the Reid era, if he don’t start getting his head out of his @$$! This d!@khead, has gone from a perennial All-pro, to looking like he doesn’t know his @$$#ole, from a hole in the ground. IMHO, Graham, Curry, Thornten, Brown, Polk, D. Johnson, Boykin, Marsh, Foles, Kendricks, Hunt, have been very impressive, & all have but locked up a spot! Tapp, Hansen, Matthews (OOOH big surprise), Bell, Otogwe, Kafka/ Edwards (same difference), Dixon (fat waste of potential), Cooper, better get their bags packed. IMHO, our safeties are still atrocious, we need a natural SAM, so Kendricks can continue his RABID playmaking at WILL, where he is a perfect fit, & Asomugha, Vick, our LT, & Castillo, are highly alarming. I would like to see them play Clayton at SAM & Kendricks at WILL. He is almost 3′ bigger than Kendricks, & IMHO, is better at pass coverage. Kendricks is a BEAST! Both are being used incorrectly. Also, be ready for Foles by week 3. Vick, either by injury, or play, will be done! Just saying.
Bell’s contract beyond this year is not a problem, and he adds depth and security to a critical position. Right now we only have 3 OTs (Herremans, Bell, and KD) with any experience and Paulman wants to trade one of them. Really?
Maclin or Jackson would have to be involved in that deal to get Larry Fitz here, but it is not going to happen.
Yes DF, I would try to trade Bell to a desperate team with OT Problems for Bell doesn’t desrve to make the Eagles 53 Man Roster, he’s play has gotten worse and worse each week.. He is not cut-out in Mudd’s Scheme/Style so time to move on..( I thougt he was a stiff to begin with just like the guy they signed last off-season from the Broncoes that everyone was ga-ga about.. When a bad team who has their own OL issues doesn’t even offer a deal to reatain a previous Start, that should tell tell that there is somethign wrong with that player..
Eagles have Herremans,Dunap,Delly,DJ Jones and still could slide a Danny Watkins if need be.. all are better than stiff Demetress Bell will ever be..