Time for Some Preseason Football

I’m excited. Are you?

I love preseason football. There will be sloppiness. There will be mistakes. But this is your chance to see the 2nd and 3rd stringers show you what they can really do in a game situation. This is their chance to make the team.

Don’t expect to see much of the starters tonight. A series, maybe two. Tonight is all about the backups. Here are some of the things I’ll be watching.

Nate Sudfeld

Carson Wentz and Nick Foles won’t play so that means a lot of work for Sudfeld and Joe Callahan. Sudfeld will have a chance to show the Eagles what he can do in a game setting. They saw him in the season finale last year, but he should be better tonight. He’s been practicing everyday instead of sitting or just running the scout team.

Sudfeld showed flashes in the Dallas game. We want to see him look a bit more polished tonight. The raw talent is there, but he needs to make plays.

Nickelback

I’m assuming (don’t be mad at me Doug) that Sidney Jones will start in the slot. He was out last summer so this would be our first chance to see him in extended action. I’m looking forward to seeing what Jones can do.

I’m also curious about how they’ll use De’Vante Bausby. If Jones starts there, will Bausby be the slot with the backups or will he play outside with rookie Avonte Maddox in the slot? I like all three players and want to get a feel for where they are right now.

Matt Pryor

Pryor’s TC reports have been glowing. In theory, he should be even better in a game setting. I’m looking forward to seeing him manhandle some guys in the run game. He needs to show he can be an effective pass protector. Dealing with the Steelers blitzes will be a good test for him.

Tre Sullivan

The coaches tell us Sullivan has had an outstanding camp. They are happy with his progress. Corey Graham is back as the #3 safety. Sullivan is now fighting for a roster spot. He needs to show he can cover and make plays. We know he can hit. That’s not enough in today’s NFL.

Young DTs

Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls, Azziz Shittu and Bruce Hector have all had good moments this summer. It would be great if one of them would really stand out. Shittu might be the most interesting of the bunch. He was hurt last year and has to be playing with a sense of desperation. Hector has been getting a lot of praise recently.

LB

Does Jordan Hicks play? If so, how does he look. I can’t wait to see Nate Gerry to get a feel for how far he’s come this summer. Kamu Grugier-Hill is battling him for a job so a lot of eyes will be on KGH. And I’m curious about Joe Walker and LaRoy Reynolds, who could win jobs as backups.

Dallas Goedert

I can’t wait to see him catch passes, because of all the great things we’ve heard. I can’t wait to see him block, because of all the bad things I’ve heard. There will be ups and downs. I just want to see flashes of his potential.

RB

Will one of The 4 please step up? Donnel Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams and Matt Jones are fighting for one spot. We need one of them to create some separation. I’m most curious about Pumphrey, but most excited about Adams.

Most of all…please stay healthy.

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