Eagles storylines: Defense's chance to rebound

The Eagles play Carolina tonight for the second preseason game, the last one at Lincoln Financial Field.

Last chance for the home crowd to see the Eagles in exhibition play and another chance for coach Chip Kelly and his staff to make some major roster evaluations.

Here are some developing storylines for the game.

Second impression
Let’s face it: The Eagles didn’t exactly erase bad memories from the past two years by rolling out the red carpet for New England’s running backs. The coaches are excited about their stable of young linemen, especially in the pass rush, but you can’t get after quarterbacks when your ears are constantly pinned back. If Cedric Thornton wants to win that starting defensive end job opposite Fletcher Cox, he’ll need to make something happen.

On the outside
DeSean Jackson caught a 47-yard touchdown bomb from Mike Vick in the opener and Jason Avant stashed a few third-down catches from both Vick and Nick Foles. News flash: We already know Jackson is the home-run hitter and Avant is dangerous across the middle. The Eagles really need to find out if Riley Cooper and Damaris Johnson are adequate third and fourth options across from Jackson.
 
An encore, Matt
After a rocky start, rookie quarterback Matt Barkley finished very strong and ended up having an impressive debut. Another good quarter -- and maybe more -- might be enough for Kelly to get Barkley some first-team reps going forward, and that would make this quarterback competition even more compelling.

Bargain shoppers
Rookie free agents don’t usually make the team. The Eagles have five that could end up on the roster if they’re impressive enough. Defensive lineman Damion Square, inside linebacker Jake Knott, wide receivers Ifeanyi Momah and Russell Shepard, and offensive tackle Michael Bamiro are all trying to make the roster. Square and Knott were very sharp in their debuts. Momah, Russell and Bamiro have some work to do.