Preseason Finale – What to Watch
Posted: September 1st, 2011 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 18 Comments »The fourth and final game of the 2011 preseason is upon us tonight. Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Trent Cole are completely irrelevant. Tonight belongs to the backups and fringe players. This is life or death time (football wise) for some of these guys.
DANNY WATKINS — Danny asked to play tonight. He knows that he needs all the reps he can get. Danny is learning a new position, as well as making the standard college to NFL adjustments. He had a rough outing last week. Since then he’s had several practices and you can’t ignore how important that is. Players get better in practice and in games. The thing to look for tonight is fewer mental mistakes and seeing Danny play with more confidence. He needs to know what is going on. Guessing is a sure way to get the QB killed.
REGGIE WELLS — I’m assuming that Reggie will start at RT. Reggie has a real chance to win a roster spot if he plays well. He had a solid game last week. He’ll play a lot of snaps tonight and could do himself a world of good.
KING DUNLAP/AUSTIN HOWARD — I’m not sure what’s up with these two. Both could make the roster or neither could make it. Dunlap has been at RT recently, but you wonder if he’ll see any time at LT tonight. Howard has been a disappointment after showing so much promise last summer. Seeing which guy starts at LT will give us a hint as to what’s going on.
#6 WR / RS — If we go with 6 receivers, the job could belong to Chad Hall, Sinorice Moss, or Johnnie Lee Higgins. Hall has been the most reliable. Moss has been the most impressive (but still inconsistent). Johnnie Lee has the best resume. One of these guys needs to show up big on STs and/or offense.
TREVOR LAWS — I hope Trevor appreciates the gravity of his situation. He’s playing for a roster spot. 2 months ago I would have told you that was nuts and if anything Trevor would be in contention for a starting gig. He’s battled injuries this summer and the new DTs have played lights out. Trevor is a young player with upside, but he’s also a free agent at the end of the year. That means he has to earn a roster spot. Trevor needs a big game to show the coaches they need to keep him around.
#5 DE — Juqua Parker is hurt. He probably sticks around as the backup LDE. Babin, Cole, and Tapp are locks. That leaves Daniel Te’o-Nesheim and Phillip Hunt fighting for one spot. Hunt is the leader right now. Teo is still a player the Eagles have hopes for. He’s been okay this summer, but Hunt has been better. Best case scenario might be for Teo’s hamstring problem to flare up late in the game. He could sit on IR for a year and Hunt could get a chance to show what he can do.
KEENAN CLAYTON — Keenan has been solid this summer, but honestly, I was hoping for more. He has all the talent in the world, but just doesn’t seem to put all the pieces together. Clayton is probably going to stick on the roster, but he needs to play good run defense tonight in order for the coaches to have confidence in him going into the season.
#4/#5 SAFETY — Colt Anderson is definitely on the bubble. Bobby April wants to keep him, but the numbers game makes it tough to keep 5 Safeties. Anderson always shows up on STs. He could help himself with a good game on defense. Jaiquawn Jarrett is definitely on the team. His only question is about playing time. Jarrett can do himself a lot of good with a big night on STs. He needs to stand out, to make stops. If he is quiet, the Eagles may feel compelled to keep Anderson.
–MISC–
* I’m not too worried or focused on the QBs. Vince and Kafka will each get a half to show what they can do.
* RB Graig Cooper is possibly playing for a Practice Squad spot.
* I would like to see RB Dion Lewis return a couple of kickoffs tonight.
* I will pay attention to DT Derek Landri just because he’s fun to watch.
* Will A.Q. Shipley play much?
* Akeem Jordan could use a good game to make his case for a roster spot.
* Finally, I sure hope we get to see Alex Henery kick a 40-49 yard FG.
* * * * *
I’ve got a couple of short posts up today at ScoutsNotebook. Tonight is the beginning of college football. Should be a fun season.
Does Havali have a shot at the PS? I haven’t heard his name once since we drafted him. In fact, I think the only time I heard much about the FBs at all since TC was yesterday when they said we put in a bid for the waived FB that went to Carolina. Do you think the FO is concerned with the spot?
“Finally, I sure hope we get to see Alex Henery kick a 40-49 yard FG.”
I’m with you there. I think they need to attempt at least one, regardless of the score/situation.
Why no PT for Herremans at RT? I know the starters dont normally play the 4th preseason game but I think a series or two in live action would be a good thing before the season starts.
I’m guessing Jackson get the start at C, but who is at LG? McGlynn?
It’s surreal to watch Vince Young handing off to Ronnie Brown for the Eagles…I’d wager that we’ll see plenty of that tonight.
RE: Havili
Unimpressive summer. I don’t think he’s shown enough for a PSquad spot. Maybe the coaches feel different.
Starting OL tonight could be interesting. Maybe:
Dunlap – Vandervelde – JamJax – Watkins – Wells
then
Howard – Reynolds – Shipley – McGlynn – Tupou
RE: Todd
Keep him healthy. Practice will get him ready for RT as much as the Jets backups.
Evan Silva (Rotoworld, PFT) sure has a bug up his ass over the Eagles. We’re “overrated and overhyped”. Today on Twitter he posted this:
“After reckless turnover in lockout year, #Eagles big obstacle is exponentially improved NFCE. #Cowboys dangerous. #Redskins run O, D legit.”
The division is exponentially improved? I’m not so sure about that.
@ Tommy
What would your dream-LB corps look like?
Mine would be:
WLB Lance Briggs
MLB Patrick Willis
SAM Chad Greenway
Is there anyway, you’d rather have those three, and a mediocre secondary, than the other way around??
Improved exponentially??? Yeah, maybe if y=0.001e^(0.001t). Where y is franchise success and t is years! Ahaaahaaahaahahaahaa!!!!!
@ Jeppe…
I would prefer:
SAM – Sean Lee
MLB – Paul Posluzsny
WLB – NaVorro Bowman
I know these guys have something in common, but I can’t quite place my finger on it.
@ Tommy
Toché 😀
RE: NFC East
“Improved exponentially”
First, I’d like to note that the word “exponentially” gets misused ALL the time. For those who don’t know, in layman’s terms, to grow exponentially means to grow at a rapidly increasing rate.
To say the NFC East improved “exponentially” implies that our division rival all became Super Bowl contenders over night. The Giants and Cowboys did not become Super Bowl contender in my opinion. No way, no how. The Giants have lost too many players on defense and basically got rid of their OL in the offseason. The Cowboys get Romo back and may have an explosive run game, but they are NOT a better team than the Eagles.
In my opinion both the Giants and Cowboys have regressed this year, with only the Redskins improving, but not very much.
I don’t really get how people can predict the Cowboys will win the division. I think they just want someone to challenge us and they don’t see it being the Giants or Skins.
Starting line-up
Offense: QB Young, RB Lewis, RB Buckley, WRs Hall and Cooper, TE Harbor, OL Dunlap, Vandervelde, McGlynn, Watkins, Wells
Defense: Hargrove, Laws, Landri, Te’o, Rolle, Jordan, Clayton, Hughes, Lindley, Jarrett and Allen
Almost nailed the OL Tommy, I wonder why JamJax isn’t starting. Also interesting d-line. Is Buckley FB?
The Redskins have a very legit defense that will be a top 5 unit this year. Just watch. Their QB situation is still a big question mark, but they will be able to play tough defense and run the ball with authority. That much is obvious.
The Cowboys entire defense is a question mark with a new coordinator and lack of talent or aging talent in the secondary. However, one thing is certain – the Cowboys will have an excellent offense this year. Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Felix Jones will put tons of points on the board behind the new-look offensive line with stud OTs Tyron Smith and Doug Free protecting Tony Romo.
So in effect, Silva is correct that both of those teams will be more of a challenge to beat than they were last year. I don’t know if you would call it an “exponential” improvement, but the division isn’t just going to roll over for the Eagles. The Cowboys and Redskins will compete for the title.
Anyway, Tommy: Why would the Eagles even think of cutting Phillip Hunt at this point? He’s shown more in the preseason than any other DE, in my opinion. If it comes down to it, why would you keep an older vet such as Parker over Hunt, who has unlimited potential? Why is the battle between Hunt and Teo-Nesheim for the 5th spot? Why isn’t the battle between Parker and Teo-Nesheim? Hunt should be considered a lock.
I really wouldn’t consider Parker a lock. The D-line has looked good. He’s older and he hasn’t been on the field. Its not like they’re really hurting for pass rushers that his return will make an impact. Babin and Cole are the starters with Hunt and Tapp as the primary back ups? I’d be fine with that.