A brief but encouraging performance from Sam Bradford (see story), a glimpse of the Eagles’ running back talent, solid stuff from the secondary and offensive line, a few disappointments here and there, and the obligatory Tim Tebow update.
It’s all here in Roob's 10 observations off the Eagles’ 40-17 win over the Ravens at the Linc in the second preseason game of the summer (see Instant Replay).
Dig in!
1. Things could not have gone any better for Bradford. He wanted to get hit? He got hit. Got cheap-shotted by Terrell Suggs (more on the "cheap shot" here). He wanted to get into a rhythm? He got into a rhythm on his first drive in a year, his only drive of the game. He wanted to jog off the field when he was done? He did that too. Bradford’s first real test in his comeback from a second ACL tear in 10 months was awfully encouraging. Bradford played only one series, and he missed a couple open guys, but the longer he was in there, the more comfortable he looked. His 15-yarder through traffic to Jordan Matthews on a 3rd-and-5 couldn’t have been placed better. Bradford was 3 for 5 for 35 yards on his one drive, which culminated in a Ryan Mathews TD run, but the stats aren’t important. He looked comfortable, he looked healthy, he looked nothing like a guy who hasn’t taken a meaningful snap in nearly two years. And he did it against a very stout and physical defense. It seemed like the whole stadium was holding its breath when Bradford was in the game. Especially when Suggs twisted his left leg, drawing a personal foul. But so far, so good. Opening day is three weeks away, and it’s hard to imagine a better start for Bradford.
2. On that first drive, we got a pretty good look at how Chip Kelly plans to use his running backs. All three backs played and all three made big contributions. DeMarco Murray opened the drive with a pair of seven-yard runs, Darren Sproles had two five-yard carries and an eight-yard reception, and Mathews capped the drive with a smart 14-yard TD run. The three-headed monster combined for 47 yards on eight touches. Who’s the No. 1 back? Watching this offense in action, it’s pretty clear the answer is that it doesn’t matter.
3. Most of the conversation after this game will revolve around Bradford and the offense, but impressive work as well from the defense, which faced three series against the Ravens’ first team and didn’t give up a point. Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell picked off Joe Flacco on the Ravens’ first two series, and the third went just 10 yards. Three drives, no points. 59 yards. The Eagles covered well, tackled well, got pressure, forced turnovers. Just a good solid performance from the first unit. The first defense has played five drives so far and allowed three points. Yeah, it’s only preseason, and offenses are vanilla at this point. But so far, this new-look Eagles defense looks fast, athletic, disciplined and productive. And all of it without any of the Eagles’ top three inside linebackers. Good stuff.
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4. The first offensive line has quietly been awfully solid in these first two games. Andrew Gardner isn’t the most athletic, most physical, most dominating right guard you’ll ever see, but he’s been consistent and steady in these two preseason games. You don’t see him mauling people out there, but you also don’t see him making glaring mistakes. With Jason Kelce on his left and Lane Johnson on his right, he doesn’t have to be an All-Pro. He just needs to be sound in his technique, and so far he has been.
5. I’m still not sure about Kenjon Barner’s chances to stick on the final roster, but the kid has been really terrific, and if nothing else, he’s making Kelly’s decision very difficult. Barner isn’t a speedster, but he seems to have tremendous instincts in the return game, and he’s a shifty little runner from scrimmage, too. I still think it’s more likely than not that he won’t survive final roster cuts, but punt return touchdowns in back-to-back games and a diploma from Oregon is a pretty good résumé around these parts. All I know is he sure looks like one of the 53 best players on the roster to me.
6. It’s preseason and you don’t want to get too carried away, but it is frightening how much pressure this offense is going to apply to opposing defenses. I know it’s all predicated on Bradford staying healthy, but I just feel like he will. With these weapons? Legitimately five deep at wideout and three deep at running back? They’re going to be very tough to stop. Here’s a prediction: The Eagles this year become the 19th team in NFL history to score 500 points. They scored a franchise-record 474 last year, including returns, but I’ll be surprised if that doesn’t go up. Maybe by a lot.
7. Much has been made of the Eagles’ lack of depth at outside linebacker, especially now with Marcus Smith out for a few weeks. One guy who really stood out Saturday night was Diaheem Watkins, an undrafted rookie free agent who played at UAB last year. He had three tackles, a sack and a QB hit and just looked active and physical while he was out there. A guy to keep an eye on the rest of the preseason.
8. A few guys who were disappointing Saturday night: Jaylen Watkins continues to struggle in coverage and tackling, Eric Rowe had some tough plays in coverage, Matt Barkley took a step backward a week after a pretty good showing vs. the Colts and Tebow just does not look like a guy who can throw a football well enough to play quarterback in this league. Barkley didn’t play well, but he still gained ground in his battle with Tebow.
9. Two games in, and the Eagles still haven’t allowed a pass play over 28 yards, and they haven't allowed a pass longer than 20 yards with the first- or second-team defense on the field. I know, I know. Vanilla offenses, a bunch of backups, the usual preseason caveats. But after living through the Eagles’ 2014 secondary, this is a pretty big deal. After two preseason games last year, the Eagles had allowed seven pass plays of at least 25 yards. That’s progress.
10. We’ve all wondered at some point whether the Eagles underwent too much change during the offseason after winning 10 games, but it was hard not to notice that all the veteran acquisitions who played Saturday night shined. Murray, Mathews, Thurmond, Maxwell and Bradford. There was a ton of change, but they don’t play like a team with a ton of new parts.
11. I should have found a spot to mention Jerome Couplin, who recorded some excellent reps Saturday night just three weeks after undergoing an appendectomy. There are a lot of questions still to be answered at safety. Last week, Ed Reynolds showed up with a couple interceptions, and against the Ravens it was Couplin’s turn to shine. He had a five tackles, was sound in coverage and even recovered an onside kick. He just looked active out there. He’s in the mix.