So What Do You Want To See Against The Patriots?
Instead of reading the delusions of grandeur of one barker who thinks what he says or thinks is gospel, I will move forward and discuss the expectations for this next game.
1) First and foremost I want to see a remarkable improvement by the Eagles first string defense against the Patriots first string offense. I want to see Nnamdi actually shut down his man. I want to see the defense get off the field on third down. I want to see a solid run defense unlike against the Steelers who's best running back is still on the shelf. I want to see Tom Brady give up some coverage sacks. I want to see the Red Zone defense make some stops.
2) Since the first stringers will get a lot of time in this game (they should go three quarters) I want to see them execute their offense and score at least twice in this game. They are playing a fairly suspect defense so it shouldn't be to difficult a task to at least score twice.
3) I want to see if Juan can beat Tom. I know Tom can be a pain for any defensive coordinator, but this season the Eagles play some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. Just look at the Eagles schedule and you will see will be facing a dynamic or great quarterback nearly every week they play. It's going to be up to Juan to come up with something to stop them. His results last week were mixed with Ben at best. Brady will be a major test for his group. For as long as he's out there.
4) I want to keep an eye on King Dunlap. Will Dunlap be up to the task and possibly win the starting tackle position? The Eagles seem to be taking somewhat of a risk here. After all they know what they have in Dunlap and if they are seriously considering going into the season with him as a starter then Mike Vick better make sure his health insurance is in good standing.
5) Speaking of Mike Vick I want to see this guy stay healthy for a change. Bottom line is you can't win dynasties while sitting on the sidelines nursing injuries despite what some barkers "say". I want to see Mike Vick go through his progressions and get rid of the football. This defense should be a good confidence boost for him.
6) I want to see the offense score in the Red Zone with a player not named McCoy. Shady is a great Red Zone threat (like I informed Birdflip several months ago before he tried to make it seem like it was him that suddenly figured this out), but the Eagles receivers were terrible last season in the Red Zone, and Mike Vick led the league in Red Zone turnovers. That must stop if the Eagles are going to be good this season despite the wishful thinking of others.
7) I want to see the rookies continue to impress. So far many of them have played very well. I really want to see how Foles is going to play in this game, although I think we will get a better idea of his ability in the Browns game as the starters are expected to go three quarters in this game. I want to see who separates himself between Bryce Brown and Polk.I want to see the rookies again make big plays in the return game.
8) I want to see glimpses of a team that makes me feel comfortable about them being a "Mortal Lock", because they are one on the field, and not just because some barker thinks what he writes automatically makes it happen.
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You covered just about everything except the "battle" between McBriar and Henry. Part of me would love to see Henry dominate this battle in preseason and show that he belongs in the NFL (especially since McBriar admits he isn't 100% yet) but his inconsistencies seemed to still be haunting him in last week's game. Let the best man win and I would guess that will be McBriar. Honestly, the two main things I will be looking for are smart reads and quick throws by Vick and I want to see some tight coverage by the defensive backs. I'd also like to see a few plays by Ryans so I won't have to worry about another Pro Bowl player who just doesn't look right out on the field when in an Eagles uniform. Two and half to three quarters should give us a better idea of where the starters are than what we saw Thursday night.
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Well it sounds like Nnamdi may have a concussion and that could put him out for the rest of the pre-season. That kind of sucks, because that will just lead to more excuses for the defense. I just hope it isn't that serious.
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It actually sucks because although we haven't been too impressed with Asomugha so far...he still is the Eagles top corner. I don't want to see any injuries for any reason and I'm hoping that Asomugha eventually finds his place in the Eagles secondary and returns to form...as I'm sure you are.
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Well I think I want to see these guys (as many as possible on the field playing together. I don't believe they are just going to jell by sitting on the sidelines. Guys need to be playing.
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According to Comcast a "source" has said that Asomugha showed no signs of a concussion immediately after the collision and when he was tested. Good news but in an interview after seeing it for himself Ray Didinger said he wondered if he lost consciousness because he didn't move at all for a little bit. I would guess regardless he probably won't play in at least Monday night's game.
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He probably wont play in the Cleveland game either and that means certainly wont play against the Jets.There sure are a lot of starters not getting work this preseason.
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It is concerning, Eazy. Everybody has to get the rust out in live action.
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The season starts with few cupcakes. The Eagles could
find themselves in a whole real quick if they aren't
careful. -
You're right EZ. I've seen the early half of their schedule. While it may not be as severe as the Broncos' first half, it's still pretty brutal nonetheless. No gimmies after week 1. They get Baltimore, @ Arizona, Giants, @ Pittsburgh, Detroit, Atlanta, and @ New Orleans all concurrent. They slip up there then they'll be behind the 8-ball for sure.
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forums
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Lets see some execution on both sides of the ball with the starters.
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Agreed. I think this is a good challenge for both sides of the ball. I don't care who wins. Like you I want to see execution.
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Another important thing on both sides is rhythm & timing. Ihave yet to see this defense ever have that.
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Actually in this area of analysis I think you are on point. Especially with Juan and this defense.
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Let's see some battles get won against a team Andy Reid has never beaten.
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yeah. I dont want to see them act like they lost before it started like last year. They bowed down to the Patriots and played like a bunch of chumps last time.
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That is exactly what I was thinking yesterday. I know the Pats are a half decent team but there is no reason we cannot beat them 90% of the time.
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play a game and find out ah
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Good to hear Nnamdi is back practicing. Hopefully he starts looking like the elite guy they are paying for.
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I like him but Im beginning to wonder if the guy is just plain soft.
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I'd like to see Tom Brady not completely obliterate us like he did last year.
As for the offense, I don't really care how they do. We really on trick plays more than any other team and we would never want to reveal any of them during pre-season, so our offense tends to suck in pre-season. -
I think the Eagles offense isn't as gimmicky as it used to be; however' I do feel that timing and rhythm are important to seeing it be effective. The Starters will play for three quarters so there is no excuses. Like you I want to see them make Brady work. They play a lot of quality quarterbacks this season. Juan needs to show he can game plan for quality quarterbacks.
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He won't. Just saw he's not playing. So much for that test. I guess we won't really know much until Week 1. Yes. I know that Preseason Week 3 is normally considered the dress rehearsal, but we're playing Cleveland that week and that's our Week 1 opponent.
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No Brady??? Crap....
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Doesn't really matter, does it? If last years preseason made some of us worry...what is this one doing to us? Bone headed penalties on 3rd down (after a pick and a sack back to back yet!), Vick getting hurt every other time he drops back...just saw Jenkins jawing with Reid, that's something new...can anybody say "make an example of"? Reid may have the perfect oppurtunity to wake this team up a little.
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Don't worry! Everything is okay, because birdflipper says so!
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mortal what?
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I tell you it's so annoying watching them continuously make the same mistakes they made last season. Third and long and if the Eagles aren't making dumb penalties they are giving up huge first downs.
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Plenty to worry about, Eazy. 9 or 10 penalties in the first half...4-5 so far in the second half...I don't give a damn if it's the second preseason game. Players arguing with the head coach, Vick injured AGAIN! If Vick is injured for a significant time this year, something has to be done with the quarterback situation. The Eagles CAN'T go into every season having to worry about who will fill in WHEN (not if) their starter goes down to injury!
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Maybe they have done something with the quarterback positions. Foles looked real good tonight. Of course he didn't play against many of the Patriots starters, but he was thrust into a game and he was given a heavy dose of the offensive game plan and for the most part he executed that game plan. I know some people are going to complain about the line (and they did get blown up on the injury play), but the reason Vick got hurt was because of Vick. He was running all over the place and turned his back to the line. He turns around and Herremans is blocking his guy right at him. Sometimes the quarterback needs to know when to give up on a play. Vick doesn't and that's why he makes mistakes and gets injured. Foles on the other have GOT RID OF THE FOOTBALL. If it wasn't there he threw it away. That's just smart football.
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Absolutely agree with you on Vick's injury. Thought the same thing when he turned his back on the line to run. Of course we love his big highlight escapes turned into dazzling plays but enough is enough. I've stated it since last year. Live to play another week!
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Okay maybe the Eagles should consider Foles as a starter.
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no I dont think so. Bring back McNabb and leave Foles for the next regime.
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I'll say this. The kid plays a smart quarterback. He doesn't take unnecessary hits and he gets rid of the football. I wanted to see more of the kid, but not this way.
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He should see alot of time on Friday night. That pick he threw was forced but honestly if he would have led his receiver (was it Maclin?) he may have completed it. I like how he is getting rid of the ball and how can't you like his size when compared to Vick? Given the choice of what's left over after Vick, why not Foles? Kafka, who just doesn't seem to have it, Edwards who can't even hold onto a backup job?...let's be honest without Vick this team has NO shot at a championship so why not Foles as his backup?
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It was against 2nd string defense. Think of the Giants two steps closer to him, a second less time to throw. He wont make it. Let him learn.
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That same group knocked Vick out of the game. Just sayin.
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Plenty of teams have let rookies step in as starters..all I stated was let Foles be Vick's backup...let him get some on the job training without the pressure of being the starter. Hell, Kolb and Kafka have had time to learn in the Eagles system...how has that worked out for them?
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Like you wrote. If Vick can't stay healthy we are cooked.Vick simply has to do a better job of protecting himself.
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I honestly don't think he ever will. There isn't a predicament Vick doesn't think he can get out of...there isn't a play Vick thinks he can't make and it has hurt the team too many times now.
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This is a team that looks unorganized and completely out of control. Its embarrasing. Reid needs a shakeup ASAP.
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If it were up to me, Castillo wouldn't even be on a short leash. It would be a f'ing piano wire.
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Wont miss Tapp when he is traded or cut.
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Yeah he looked pretty lame. I thought the same thing. i think he is gone and knows it.
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I liked a lot of the individual play I saw. Most notably: Kendricks (this guy could be our defensive MVP no joke), Phil Hunt, Nate Allen, Marsh, Foles, D-Jax, Harbor, Dunlap, and Bryce Brown.
It's difficult to judge Castillo (the most important piece in determining how our team performs), but he didn't look too bad tonight. Mallett is one of the best backup QBs in the league, and Belicheat prepares for preseason games more than any other coach in the league.
Overall, I was disappointed that Vick got injured and our defense struggled against their second team, but it's only pre-season. -
Two preseason games and two early injuries to Vick is a lot to be concerned about considering Vick staying healthy is one of the Eagles main concerns and 16 penalties for 136 yards is horrible even though it is preseason...this team has a lot of work to do and less then 3 weeks to do it!
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You know my dislike for Reid but I am happy to see him fully engaged with the squad. Even the argument with jenkins looked tough. I think Reid means business. I would have never said that last year but he has a mean streak this year that might nudge these guys forward.
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