Thoughts From Eagles-Jets

Has Cody Parkey Won The Kicking Job?

Kicker Cody Parkey got an opportunity to showcase himself tonight in a bid to possibly take the job away from Alex Henery, and the rookie did not squander his chance.

Parkey stole the show in tonight’s contest, going 3/3 including two 50+ yarders.

If this wasn’t enough of a performance to oust the struggling Alex Henery, I don’t know what is.

Parkey looks like he has a strong leg, and he’s already made some clutch kicks. Those kicks that he made tonight weren’t easy ones by any means.

Parkey knew that this may have been his only shot to earn a job in this league. His NFL future practically resided on his ability to come out and drill multiple 50-yard kicks. And he came through, passing his test with flying colors.

Maybe Parkey is the answer at kicker, and maybe he’s not. But I’d certainly take a chance with him instead of Henery.

Henery is a guy that just doesn’t inspire any kind of confidence. He’s got a weak leg, and at this point there’s very little upside to keeping him around. If Parkey fails, there will be other veteran kickers on the market that team can turn to. Its time for the Eagles to turn the page on Henery, and release yet another failed draft pick from the 2010 class.

Evaluating Matt Barkley

If there was any other importance to be found in tonight’s game, it was in the performance of Matt Barkley.

This was Barkley’s chance to leave an impression on the coaching staff. A strong performance might have led the Eagles to feeling more comfortable about him as a number-two quarterback in the future, and a shaky effort might cause them to go in another direction next year.

Barkley was up-and-down tonight. At times he made some nice throws, but too often he threw balls into coverage or behind or over the heads of his wideouts.

He finished 21/33 for 251 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Barkley hasn’t shown me enough to make me feel confident about his future. Right now, I don’t see a guy who is anything more than a third-string guy.

Offense

• Arrelious Benn broke open and came down with a 43-yard touchdown for the team’s first score. Benn later came down with another difficult reception in the endzone, but was forced out of bounds by the Jet defenders.
• Damaris Johnson may give Benn a run for his money though. Johnson is an explosive player, and has shown he can make plays as a runner and receiver on offense as well as a returner on special teams.
• How does Henry Josey not make this team? I know its against second and third team guys, but he looks incredibly explosive and comfortable when running with the football. Josey finished with over 120 yards on 20 carries.
• I’m not that impressed with Kenjon Barner. He doesn’t look like he sees running lanes nearly as well as Matthew Tucker and Josey.
• Beautiful adjustment and an even better catch by Jeff Maehl on a go route in the second quarter, picking up 32 yards.
• Looking for a darkhorse to make the roster? How about tight end Trey Burton? Burton is a guy who has had a nice camp, and made some tough catches throughout the preseason. Is it enough to get him on the final roster? Probably not, but he’s a done enough to earn some consideration, and if nothing else should be a strong practice squad candidate.

Defense

• Jaylen Watkins looked very good on the team’s first defensive series. Watkins made a couple of nice open-field tackles and also broke up a pass.
• Casey Matthews overran a running play on a blitz in the second quarter, and then missed a tackle on a screen pass that turned into a big play for the Jets. This has got to be the end for Matthews in midnight green.
• Marcus Smith just doesn’t look like he’s anywhere near ready to contribute this year. I’ve said all along that I expect him to be on the team’s inactive list through the first half of the season, and he’s shown nothing to make me think otherwise.
• Chris Maragos and Earl Wolff combined on a hit to force a fumble and create a turnover.
• Ed Reynolds let an interception go right through his hands and into the arms of a New York receiver for a touchdown in the third quarter.
• Brandon Bair has had a nice camp, but his age works against him as well as the numbers on the defensive line.
• Travis Long is a good practice squad candidate.

Special Teams

• On a fourth and inches in the second quarter, Chip Kelly opted to go for it with a quarterback sneak. I thought this was a poor coaching decision, Kelly should have used the opportunity to give a field goal attempt to either Alex Henery or Cody Parkey. With as unsettling as the kicking situation has been, every field goal rep possible is valuable at this point.
• Cody Parkey got an opportunity to kick the team’s first extra point, and also nailed a 54-yard field goal later in the quarter.
• Parkey came back and hit a 25-yarder before the end of the half.
• Parkey drilled a third field goal in the third quarter, another long one at 53 yards.