The question everybody is asking is how good are the Eagles. Are they a team that can get a home playoff game or a division winner? Should they really they be considered a Super Bowl contender?
Are they really as good as a 40-17 blowout of the Baltimore Ravens or did the Ravens poor play have something to do with the score?
I think it’s somewhere in the middle because as good as the Birds were Saturday night, the Ravens were just as bad. There’s no question that this Eagles team has more talent than it had a year ago and they seem to be motivated to work very hard during each week at practice and they play very hard. Big time effort can take you a long way.
Chip Kelly could have a very good football team here, but we all know it’s still very early. I think there is reason to get excited when you look at what could be, but we’re only in August and haven’t even played one regular season game.
They’re deep and talented at the running back position. The talent at the quarterback position is still unsure because of Sam Bradford. His skill level is higher than Nick Foles or Mark Sanchez of a year ago, but we still don’t know if he will be able to last. I do think his level of play will increase if he stays healthy because he can make all of the decisions and throws you need to make to be a great quarterback. We just need to see him do it during the games as he becomes more comfortable.
The key for the Eagles quarterbacks will be taking care of the football. The reason they’ve won both preseason games so easily has been the defense forcing turnovers from the other team and staying away from them as an Eagles offense.
The offensive line has been playing well, so far, but they haven’t been tested because the Ravens defense didn’t game plan for the Eagles. They just played a vanilla alignment rather than adjusting their defense to what they expected the Birds to run. The offensive line is going to be the key to the Eagles offense. If they can turn loose DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, it’s going to take the pressure off of the quarterbacks and allow them to throw to open receivers without any pressure in their faces. A game manager will be able to lead this team if that’s the case.
There’s tremendous potential at the receiver position with Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, Trey Burton and Zach Ertz when he returns. The key will be being in the right place at the right time and catching the football, when its’ delivered.
One thing has proven to be apparent about this Eagles team in comparison to the 2014 edition, the secondary could be much better. Nolan Carroll competing for the deep ball and forcing a turnover wasn’t seen a year ago. The addition of Carroll, Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond has them going in the right direction.
I thought the Thurmond interception was a good one, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw a pass three feet over the head of a wide open receiver on the Maxwell interception, so I’m not hyped up about that throw. They’ve still got work to do back there but they’re going in the right direction.
The Eagles defensive backs have been working feverishly on going after the football, when the receiver catches it. They have been charting every time one of their defensive backs causes a fumble or a incompletion by attacking the football once it is caught. This focus is going to make them better.
The situation at outside linebacker is okay when it comes to the starters, with Conner Barwin and Brandon Graham, but Marcus Smith, Vinny Curry or Bryan Braman will need emerge as their third guy. This is a very important position because it’s supposed to provide pass rush pressure.
The inside linebackers need to get healthy and out there. The talent is there they just need to get on the field.
The Special Teams continues to shine with Kenjon Barner taking a position on this team with his two punt return touchdowns this preseason.
So far this Summer, the Eagles are looking Good to very Good..
The Biggest Area of Concern is the OL in my Opinion
If Center Kelce or J Peters were to sustain any significant Injury, then they are in trouble..
I think either QB Bradford or Sanchez can run this Offense well enough to put Points up on the board and have Success..The RB’s, Receivers & TE’s are Deep, Talented and Versatile and will present many Match-up Problems which favor the Eagles..
The Eagles DL looks strong (1st and 2nd Unit) as does their LB Corp.. I am not as concernd about the OLB position as others are for I believe that Kiko Alonso will get reps there, Vinny Curry in Passing Situations will also get reps but I do think Marcus Smith II gets Released in favor of
either Brad Jones or Daheeim Watkins in terms of making the 53 Man Roster
MS2 just does not have that Energy level or fight to play for Chip Kelly
The Secondary looks much improved and solid, but cannot afford any injuries to Veterans Malcolm Jenkins or Byron Maxwell as they develop the Young Players (Rowe,Watkins,Reynolds, Couplin) and both Thurmond and EJ Biggers were quality Veteran Pick-ups to help during the transition..
Special Teams look in mid-season form and should help Win a game or two early on in the Season in terms of big plays, field position, etc,etc..
Now looking at the Eagles Competition in the NFC East and things look better to me than they did 2 Months ago
1) Giants Defense is decimated with Injuries at Safety and still weak at LB and their DL has ? along with their struggling OL
2) Redskins have an Identity, Leadership and Offensive Philosophy Problem as long as RG3 is on their Roster..
3) Cowboys will be the main competition for the Eagles in the NFC East and have looked sluggish thus far this Summer but have added some Talent to the Defensive Side of the ball
Around the NFC Conference
1) Packers take a step back with the loss of Pro-Bowler WR Jordy Nelson
2) Panthers take a step back with the loss of Cam Newtons Favorite WR in Kelvin Benjamin and Pass-Rushing DE Frank Alexander who are both gone for the Season
3) Seahawks have Issues along OL and Secondary and some unhappy Players with their Contract Status (Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett)
A couple of teams who have look really good this Pre-Season and Summer Camp are the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals when they’ve had their 1st Units Playing… Even the Falcons have looked better which their Offense is going to put Points up on the Board
Lots of things will occur over these final 2-3 Weeks of Camp but first and foremost is the Eagles remaining Healthy to their Core Starters and Key Back-ups and then maybe add another DB & OL and they should be good to go for the 2015 Season..
Paul I will hold you to the five-7 wins you predicted and defended
Solid output pman the one thing I would say we need is that 3rd swing tackle…..tobin is a good backup at guard but would like to see us target someone on another team
At the Start- Andrew Gardner was going to be that Swing Ot but he played so well at Guard outplaying both Tobin, Moffitt that he is going to Win the Starters Spot which means now they are grooming Tobin at OT and still have Dennis Kelly who has played RT as Well..
If an emergency or injury occurred with LT Jason Peters, then Lane Johnson
probably moves to LT and Dennis Kelly Plays RT which would be a short-term solution, but a 3rd OT needs to be developed or picked up here when Cuts occur.. That TJ Clemmings with the #84 Pick instead of Hicks would have been a steal and a great long-term Draft Pick as could very well end up being a solid NFL OT for years to come but that’s water under the bridge.. I like Dennis Kelly at OT more than Tobin right now for the Short Term
Paulman i agree…i honestly think the eagles thought kendricks would have wanted or gotten more money. I do believe they wantd to keep him cause of his talent, but thought he would be pricey. When they heard what he was willing to take they signed the check instantly!! That being said i believe if they had signed him before draft that the 3rd rd pick would have been TJ CLemmings. This is just my opinion…two cents if ya want to call it that. Lets go eagles!!
Eagles collapsed from a super bowl contender at 9-3 to finish 10-6 and miss the playoffs — Their Secondary giving up TDs and Mark Sanchez tossing interceptions were the biggest 2 reasons for the collapse.
Hopefully Bradford, Maxwell, Thurmond, Carroll and Rowe will get us into the playoffs.
I agree with the majority of your comments by you Pman ..spot on . On a mea culpa note.i thought chip was a tad willy nelly in the GM trade department (and I haven’t changed my mind on that) the belief that Chip was calculated ,and had a plan ,sure looked at the surface ,a bit more likea two minute drill.We trade a franchise back in Shady in less time then it takes to microwave popcorn.The dude we got is still in bubble wrap.Lets see ,when the whole unit ,with admittedly many new moving parts integrate in a game planned game vs Atlanta.Andy loved the terminology “speedballs” little fast as the focus .Now the focus is just as fast but also Big and punishing and athleticism is very apparent.Im very encouraged by a young receiving corp,but it is young and with that. Follows the inevitable .I hope they’re all quick learners ,because they sure look like rooks that can ball,in Agholor.I read the huff the magic dragon reviews ,and I haven’t changed my hopes that between his ear holes ,matters most with him.The M and M boys are going to be special.Not forever had the Eagles had two pro bowl backs ,both built to pound the defenses .The cumulative effect that a defensive opponent the Eagles play ,can calculate the Murray,Matthews pounding the birds can inflict .Chasing shady is in the rear view mirror ,now thirds want to play down hill ,and the interior dee lines will feel it cumulatively and I see a team that ,with eliminating errors by the pups of the receiving corp and keeping Sam I am in the pope mobile of a pocket …the blessings may come to be..beware the devil as. Always ..bill Davis ..(couldn’t resist )
Paulman aka chimp ..Your asses,net was a tad optimistic based on your (prior to camp) ,prior to seeing any games in pre season, dire prediction.Have you flipped ,? Sure sounds as such .and then it’s a GOTCHA.
I recall 7-9
Flippa to the floppa cuz he just can’t stoopa
I am more optimistic on these 2015 Eagles then I was 2 months ago
I also think that the NFC Teams in Contention have taken steps back
(Seahawks,Packers,Cardinals,Panthers) are just not going to be as strong as I thought they were due to injuries, coaching changes, new Players not panning out etc,etc..
I have 4 NFC Teams on the Rise (Eagles,Vikings Falcons & Lions)
Based on how they have looked so far this Summer and halfway thru Preseason..
The Packers will adjust to the loss of WR J Nelson, the Cowboys and Seahakws will be ready by Regular Season but every other Team in the NFC is still a ? If the Eagles stay healthy and get off to a good start which is very possible due to their Opening Schedule, then they could have a very good Season.. 3 Weeks to opening Week… Add Another DB & OL by the Start of the Season…
Yo henski do fuss with migos…..that new pipe it up be getting me turnt up
***Steelers Sign QB M Vick to a 1 Year Deal ******
Steeler Backup B Gadskowski who was just activated from the PUP list last week and had missed all of Camp broke a finger in his throwing hand and is having Surgery putting him out for 4-5 Weeks at best so Vick will get a lot of
Reps these last 2 games to get into Football Shape
So Pman ill take that as a yes ..the shark has jumped the boat.Heres one bit of an observation.Raising everything up the flagpole ,,is like a broken clock with stilled hands ,it’s right twice a day ..
Flip is in full flop mode. I still say the eagles win 11 games and push the patties for the Div. Im not sure how Sam’s handful of passes changed Pmans point of view… or maybe it was the kendricks deal… either way… smh.
The run game is going to be insane… they are going to run all over teams and perhaps Sam can throw deep enough to make teams pay when they want to stack the line.
On D- all about the secondary and has been for far too long. After a billion years of my crying… the eagles finally have figured out that a big powerful D is what it takes to win.
If the secondary is even slightly good… we go deep.
That’s why predicting any totals in the NFL is the biggest game of roulette in gambling.Good health and the luck factors in immeasurably .If Pman you were going to rank the NFC and AFC to tier squads at the moment ,what might that look like? Assuming you now have the Eagles vs a decimated Giants defense ,and a soap opera at. Deadskinville,and a Demarco Murray less cowgirls ..I’m assuming they go 4-2 now in the NfC east.Do the. Birds lose at home? To whom? Do the birds fix the back end from Day one vs. the Falcons on the road?I also ask that you acknowledge a new total of wins based on your new found optimism..The lions,with shuh on the rise ? Interesting .Minny I can see improvement ,but not elite status,Atlanta is Atlanta ,I’m not buying what you’re selling .Perhaps the Cards are elite based upon a weaker S.F ,Seattle a step back on defense but Graham is a huge plus ,and Arizona feels like they have a running game game which arias needs to lighten the load there QB ,similar to Chip,in that respect.I think Tampa will play very well as will …that takes me to Foles and the Rams ..I believe you said Foles was better than Sam or on par .Do you think Foles on the Rams wins more games than last year?
The chimp flips ..the shark jumps the boat ..the flippa..to the floppa…and it’s week two of pre season..gotta love it in methville…N.C.. Andy of Mayberry vs the methville chimp..great season ahead,as kool gives us the nick Foles bio all year from the land of the arches,one question Pman …who’s your deputy Fife?
Steve the run game is special on paper …A two headed bruise crew …csonka..and kick like…pounding the corners in gaps and wearing guys out as they don’t juke ,but go lowering there pads and inflicting blows.Sprinkle in the fact that ow your receivers aren’t afraid to block downfield and ball control anda respit for the defense will be immeasurable.No more lateral loss plays on first down will make for a ore manageable third and 4 ,leaving doubt in the defense and not allowing them to be predicting a third analog ..
It’s a look into what chip wants to do ,but didn’t have the personnel to do..that’s what’s different. The most ..chip bought the groceries..
Lots of Football to be Played…
Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick tore his ACL this Afternoon and out for the Season,Top Draft Pick Byron Jones having back/hip issues and hadn’t played or practiced much
wow, Scandrick is their best defensive back. That is a HUGE loss.