And so it begins. The Eagles played in a game, even if it was just the preseason opener. I went back and re-watched every snap multiple times to get a feel for what happened and why it happened. Preseason games are very different than regular season games. The focus is on the individual. Winning and losing has its place, but takes a back seat to the performance of young and new players.

The Eagles blew the doors off the Colts. As much as you should feel good about that, I have to say that the Colts looked bad. That doesn’t mean the Colts aren’t going to be a good team. Andrew Luck is a terrific QB and they have some really good skill players. They just don’t have good depth. Also, playing on the road in the preseason can bring out the worst in teams.

With all that in mind, let’s get to the game. I didn’t cover every player. There was no use in writing about Jason Peters, Darren Sproles, Fletcher Cox, etc. Guys like that are established starters. I wanted to focus on new and/or young guys. Or returning players that really stood out.

* * * * *

OFFENSE

Players

QB

BRADFORD – Great game. Didn’t get hurt. To be fair, I should also point out that he didn’t play.

SANCHEZ– Not his best showing. Had Burton wide open for a long play and possible TD on the first play of the game. Held the ball a fraction of a second too long and that allowed the DB to recover and make the play. A quicker throw or a better throw leads to a huge play. Tried to hit Sproles on crossing route on 3rd/1. Ball was out in front of him. Not a good throw, but it did look catchable. Forced the ball to Matthews over the middle to start the 2nd drive and the ball fell incomplete. Made a smart decision to scramble on 3rd/5 and was able to get 10 yards. High throw to Matthews over the middle, but Jordan went up and got this one for gain of 18. Had Matthews wide open for a TD, but put the ball too far out in front and it was incomplete. Next play was a pass to Agholor. The ball was high, but he got it and then raced into the end zone for a TD. Poor pass, great result.

BARKLEY – Good showing. Came in late in the 1st Qtr. First pass hit Matthews on a crosser. Great throw. Accurate and showed touch. Coverage was good but the throw was better. Underthrew Austin on the next play, but Austin made a terrific adjustment and caught the ball for a gain of 39. Barkley lofted the ball. Had he driven it in there better, could have been a TD. Hit Burton down the seam for a gain of 21. Ball was a bit high, but had good touch and pace on it. Had a pass picked off in the early 2nd Qtr. Chip said the TE didn’t line up correctly, causing him to miss a block. The DE was in Barkley’s face and tipped the pass, which was picked off. Made a good throw on 3rd/12, but it went right through Agholor’s hands and fell incomplete. Tried to hit Agholor down the field on the next series. Drew a PI call because the ball was underthrown. A good throw might have led to a TD. Off-target on throw to Burton over the middle. Hit Maehl on a crossing route on 3rd down. Not quite a 1st down. Threw behind Maehl in traffic over the middle. Incomplete and lucky it wasn’t picked off. One of his best throws of the day went to Agholor on the right side. Short throw with good velocity. Agholor got 15 yds on that play. Tried to hit Ajirotutu for a TD late in the half. Ball was too far out front by about 6 inches. Promising start to the 2015 preseason, but Barkley still has arm limitations.

TEBOW – Was at his best when he first came into the game. Made quick reads and got the ball out. Best throw was to TE Tomlinson over the middle on 3rd/12. Good velocity on the pass and it moved the chains. Botched zone read play between he and Mostert led to fumble, but the Eagles got on the ball. Hard to tell who was at fault. Made another good throw when he hit Tomlinson over the middle for 12 yards on 2nd/long. Nice zip. Accurate. Executed a delay TE screen to Tomlinson perfectly. That gained 12 yds, and there was a roughing penalty added on as well. Forced a pass to Bailey, who was covered. Bailey went up high and made a great catch. Safe risk because there was space and Tebow put the ball in the right spot. Martino dropped a good throw from Tebow in the mid-4th. Would have moved the chains and kept a drive alive. Didn’t have great blocking and looked a bit rusty at times. Still, threw the ball better than in past years. Needs to build off this game.

RB

MURRAY – DNP

MATHEWS – 2-18. Did a good job of running hard up the middle. Shook off the rust and looked good on 2 carries.

BARNER – 6-29-1. Ran for 9-yd TD in the late 1st Qtr. Good blocking and bad defense gave Barner a clear path to the end zone. Solid game, but didn’t stand out as a runner. Made an impressive catch. Had to go down to the ground to secure the ball.

MOSTERT – Good showing. Had an 8-yd run up the middle in the mid-2nd. Didn’t hesitate. Moved upfield quickly and worked his way through traffic. Moved the chains on the next play by running hard inside for 4 yds. Highlight play came on first snap of 2nd half. Caught pass in the left flat. Made a LB miss and then flew upfield for a gain of 40. Looked like he might go all the way for a minute, but got caught in some downfield traffic. Really impressive burst on that play. Used his speed to get wide for a gain of 7 in the mid-3rd. I thought Mostert might struggle on some standard runs or plays in traffic, but he was tougher and more physical than I expected.

MONANGAI – Didn’t stand out. Had 6 carries for 11 yds. Best run went for 8 yds.

TE

ERTZ – DNP.

BURTON – 1-21. Nice catch in the early 2nd on seam route. Ball was a bit high. Per Chip, made a mistake in the 2nd Qtr that led to INT. Failed to line up wide enough and get block on DE. That guy was able to tip a pass, which was then picked off. Did go make the tackle on that play. Lacks strength/power as a run blocker, but effort is okay.

TOMLINSON – Good game. Caught short pass on the right side, made a guy miss and turned upfield for 19 yds. Looked natural catching the ball. Did not look good lining up out wide in early 3rd and running crossing route. Too stiff, deliberate. Also didn’t catch pass. Might have been a bit high, but looked very catchable. Got open over the middle on 3rd/12. Caught the ball and turned upfield to get 15 yds on the play. Finished 5-61. Showed promise as a blocker and receiver. Limited athlete.

TUKES – Didn’t see him on the field much. Needs to come off the ball faster when blocking.

GLEICHERT – Mainly a blocker. Good effort.

WR

MATTHEWS– 2-44. First catch came over the middle on high ball from Sanchez. Took a big shot, but held on for 18. Should have had a long TD, but Sanchez missed him. Looked good.

COOPER – Caught a lateral from Sanchez and got upfield for 9 yds. Should have stayed on his feet and gotten the 1st down. Seemed to slip. Didn’t play much.

AGHOLOR – 3-57-1. Up and down game. Dropped the first pass to come his way. The next one was high, but Agholor went up and snatched it. Came down and then went upfield for a 34-yd TD. Good burst on that play. You could see just how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. Had bad drop on 3rd/12. Ball went right through his hands. Good job on underthrown deep ball. Had enough speed to get behind the CB. Turned back and located the ball. Adjusted to it and the DB didn’t. That contact drew the flag. That’s sort of a veteran move. Caught 2 more short passes. Turned one into a gain of 15 with his RAC skills. Far from a finished product, but you can see that he has special talent.

MAEHL– Caught 1 pass for 10 yards.

HUFF – Didn’t have a pass come his way. Don’t read anything into that. Huff didn’t play much and passes just went elsewhere.

AUSTIN – 2-41. Highlight was a 39-yd catch on an underthrown pass from Barkley. Made a terrific adjustment and slowed down to catch the ball. Used his size well on that play.

BAILEY – Made a pair of terrific leaping catches. Showed good hands and some athletic ability. I had my doubts about him as a viable NFL prospect, but he more than held his own. The downside of his performance is that he wasn’t getting much separation and was going against 3rd/4th string DBs.

AJIROTUTU – Caught WR screen in the mid-3rd and got upfield for a 1st down. Blocked well in the game.

KINNE – No catches. Had one pass come his way, but errant pass was over his head.

OL

BARBRE – LG. Good job in pass pro. Good seal block on cutback run that came to his side. Good combo-block with JP on Mathews 13-yd run.

GARDNER – RG. Knocked back in pass pro to start the 2nd drive. Was able to re-set and then anchor. Overall, did a solid job in limited snaps. Got good push on a couple of run blocks. Need to see him go against quick DT to judge if his pass pro skills have gotten better.

TOBIN – LT2. Solid day in pass pro. Doesn’t have great feet, but did a good job with his pass sets. Moved back quickly to get into good position. Took away rush angles. Got his hands on rushers and steered them wide. Good pass block to open the 2nd half. Came off the ball aggressively and engaged the DE. Good OL mix up their blocks. Can’t always give ground. Worked hard on run blocks, but didn’t stand out. Effort is never a question.

VANDY – LG2. Showed good athleticism in the run game. Was able to get to the 2nd level quickly. Got pushed aside by DT on 2nd Qtr run. Moved to C in the 3rd Qtr. Lack of size and strength is an issue at times.

MOLK – C2. Quick from snap to block. Active. Very good double team with Moffitt opened hole up middle for Mostert in the 2nd Qtr. Washed a LB to the right on the next play, giving Mostert another hole and the 1st down. Pulled on the next play and led an outside run. Called for tripping. Not sure if that was intentional or accidental. Moved to LG in the 3rd Qtr. Looked good in getting to the 2nd level. Got moved back on 3rd/long, but was able to re-set and anchor. Good game.

MOFFITT – RG2. Sloppy at times in pass pro. Got driven back on a 1st Qtr play and got off balance. Whiffed when he tried to get his hands on a rusher in the early 2nd. Got off balance and fell to the ground on a run to his side. Did have some good moments where he locked on to defenders and looked like a veteran OG. Had no one to block on 2nd Qtr pass so hit the guy Molk was blocking in the side and put him on the ground. That was good to see. Badly beaten on 3rd Qtr run play, led to TFL. Not much push on run plays. Got better as the game went on so you have to think most of his issues were due to being rusty.

KELLY – RT2. Blocked backside LB on Barner’s TD run. That was the only pursuit. Looked athletic on that play. Called for holding on 2nd Qtr run to his side. Credit the DE on that. Still doesn’t do a good enough job with his hands/arms in pass pro. Good on 2nd level on run play. Fell down while trying to block edge rusher on 3rd down. Did force the guy to go wide. Got to play some LT in the 4th.

BOYKO – LT3. Good pad level. Showed some pop. Feet were okay.

COCCIA – LG3.

WHEELER – LG3. Played on final drive of game. Good drive block on run play.

ANDREWS– C3. Opened a good hole for Monangai up the middle for gain of 8 late in the game.

BUNCHE – RG3. Had some good moments as a run blocker. Got push on a couple of plays. Needs technique work. Used size/strength to win.

GRAF – RT3. Took over in the early 4th. Really struggled in pass pro.

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DEFENSE

* Eagles opened in 3-3-5. Cox-Logan-Graham on the DL. LBs were Barwin, Acho and Jones.

* Colts tried to run vs Eagles Nickel look of 3-3-5 on 2nd series and got 2 yds.

PLAYERS

DL

LOGAN – Great game. Played 9 snaps, had 3 tackles. First came when C tried to seal him and Bennie went around him, just missing TFL. Exploded off the ball on the next series and blew up a run play. Fired into the backfield and got a TFL on play where the Colts tried to run away from him. Shoved the C backward on inside run, helping to limit the play to short gain. Shed block, moved down LOS and just engulfed RB when he tried to go upfield.

CURRY – Drove Herremans back toward Luck to generate some pressure on initial 3rd down.

BAIR – Played both RDE and LDE. Did a good job in the early 2nd Qtr of fighting off block of RT and getting in on stop of RB going away from him. On very next play, split double team and stuffed runner right at LOS. Blew up 3rd Qtr run with penetration. Got out of his rush lane in the early 3rd and the QB scrambled for a big gain.

ALLEN – NT. Got off block and helped stuff early 2nd Qtr run play. Hit the QB late in the half when he beat the LG on 3rd/long. Helped blow up 3rd Qtr run by moving down the LOS and getting to the RB. Overall, was inconsistent. Got moved off the ball a few times.

HART – Quiet game. Played some RDE on the 2nd drive. Battled vs the run. Just failed to stand out.

KELIIKIPI – Came in at RDE initially. Can really 2-gap. Just bench presses the OL. Beat LG and got pressure on QB late in the half. Also played some NT.

MIHALIK – Played some RDE in the early 3rd. Got moved back by the LT on a run play, but shed the block and made the tackle. His athleticism stood out. Can really move for big guy. Got moved off the ball on the TD run. Showed good hustle, speed in getting out wide on quick screen to WR. Needs to do a better job of staying square to the LOS. Got a 3rd Qtr sack while rushing from LDE. Came upfield and got some pressure. QB moved up in pocket and Mihalik then got him from behind. Used his length, strength to make that play. Not ready to be a regular player in the NFL, but size and movement skills will make him tough to cut.

RACITI – Played some LDE in the 3rd. Did good job of 2-gapping on run play to his side. Wouldn’t let blockers seal him and kept runner from getting wide. Short gain. Had shot for TFL, but whiffed on the runner and he scored TD. Played some NT as well. Did a good job of shedding blocks. Active player who tried to get to the ball every play. Disrupted a screen pass when he got his arm around the RB. QB had to throw the ball away.

OLB

GRAHAM – Dropped into coverage on third play and tackled RB for short gain after pass. Drove on the ball nicely. Amazing how much better he is at that now.

SMITH – Good showing. Had tight coverage on TE on throw over the middle in the Red Zone. Lined up at LDE in 3rd/long and looped inside. Was blocked but got his hand in the QB’s face. Affected the throw, which ended up incomplete. Lined up at LDE on 3rd/3. Used power to get the RT off balance and move him back toward the QB. Got sealed on 1st Qtr run, giving up edge and letting RB cutback for a nice gain. Set the edge well on opening play of 2nd Qtr. Gave the RB nowhere to go and backside LB made the play. Got to the inside of RT on draw play and blew up run for no gain. Used spin move to rush in the early 3rd. Not fast enough. Used power rush to move the LT back on 3rd Qtr rush. Covered well in the 2nd half on multiple plays. Was used as a spy in the late 3rd on 3rd/long. Mirrored the QB and kept him from taking off. DE got the sack. If he were a rookie playing this way, it would be very encouraging. As a 2nd year player, it is good to see progress, but I’m not sure he’s someone you want on the field right now.

DeWALT-ONDIJO – Got hurt and that’s too bad. Good showing. Chased RB down from the backside. Got pressure when rushing the passer on one play. Flashed speed and athletic ability.

BRAMAN – Instant impact. Hit the QB on a bootleg play on his first snap. Did a terrific job of setting the edge on run play and then getting in on the tackle for minimal gain. Did a good job of covering TE on 3rd/long. Had a great pass rush in the early 4th. Used good slap move to fly by the LT and hit the QB just after the ball was out. Pass was off target and picked off. QB might have felt Braman’s presence. Almost had a safety. Was on the QB in the end zone, but couldn’t get him down. Had a FF when he suplexed the QB on a run play and the ball came loose. Keep in mind Braman was playing against 3rd/4th stringers, but he played very well. Disruptive.

D. WATKINS – Played ROLB in the early 2nd Qtr. Showed good hustle when he chased down WR after catch/run for 9 yds. Got out of position on run that started away and came back his way. Still managed to make the play and only gave up a yard or so. Excellent effort. Will battle blockers on run plays. Moved down the LOS and stuffed an inside run in the early 3rd.

ILB

KENDRICKS – DNP

RYANS – DNP

ALONSO – DNP

B JONES – Started at ILB. Got pressure when he blitzed up the middle in the late 1st Qtr. Had to fight past blocker to get near the QB. Helped Bair stuff a run in the early 3rd. Blitzed into the backfield and got the RB down right at the LOS in the late 3rd. Got TFL in the early 4th when he played the zone read perfectly.

ACHO – Started at ILB. Very good coverage on 3rd/long late in the 1st Qtr. Got on slot receiver and was all over him. Ball was incomplete. Acho read the play and was in perfect position. Came up quickly to tackle TE after a short catch. Stuffed an inside run. Wasn’t blocked, but did his job of stepping up into the hole and making the stop for minimal gain. Seemed to know where to be whether in man coverage or when playing the passing lanes. This is his 3rd year in the scheme and it shows.

GOODE – Came in on the 2nd series. Got past Herremans to help stuff a run play. Active vs the run. Was badly burned on 3rd/short by RB who easily got by him and was wide open. Missed tackle of RB on late 1st Qtr run. Read the play well, just failed to get him down. Missed tackle of RB after short catch over the middle. Penetrated on some run plays, but wasn’t getting to the RB. Disappointing performance.

HICKS – Missed tackle on RB on the TD play. Lost RB on bootleg play. Gave up catch, but did make the tackle. Showed good athleticism and coverage ability. Tackled RB on draw play. Started slow. Looked like a lost rookie. Got better the more he played. Settled down and was more comfortable.

S

THURMOND – Good showing vs run on 2nd series. Thurmond was up on the LOS. Engaged the TE and tried to set the edge on run play to his side. Did a solid job vs the TE.

MARAGOS – Made strong tackle of TE after catch for 12 in the mid-2nd. Had a FF late in the 1st half. Saw Rowe holding a RB up. Maragos then lowered his shoulder and hit the ball, knocking it out. Colts did recover. Broke up a short pass by hitting the WR as he was trying to make the grab. Took out a WR and Watkins with a big hit on a pass over the middle. Played fast and physical.

REYNOLDS – Best game of his young Eagles career. Got on the field in the late 1st Qtr. Looks much better when things are in front of him and he can go forward rather than moving sideways or backward. Had good coverage of TE on underneath route on 3rd/3. Got into the passing lane on 2nd/10 in the early 2nd Qtr. Initially was with TE, then fell back toward the sideline and took away that area. Ball went there, but was off target. Made an awkward attempt to pick off a deflected pass in the early 3rd. Didn’t come close, though. Picked off errant deep ball in the mid-4th. Bobbled it at first, but held on and then had a good return. Jumped a route late in the game and picked off another pass. It was very encouraging to see him make plays, but there are still issues. I’ll address them in a post.

PROSINSKI – Good open-field tackle of RB in the late 1st Qtr. Grabbed his ankle and spun him down. Showed good awareness and hustle when he recovered a fumble in the early 2nd Qtr. Good tackler and run defender.

CB

MAXWELL – Gave up 18-yd completion on play where Barwin jumped offside.

CARROLL – Played off on 3rd down, then tried to drive on the receiver and break up the play. Got there a fraction of a second late.

WATKINS – Started at NB. Did a good job on the first play of passing off his receiver to a LB and then getting into a passing lane to take away throw to WR being covered by Carroll. Lined up outside with the 2nd defense. Had tight coverage of WR on 3rd/3. Whiffed on WR after catch right at the LOS. One of my concerns with Watkins is his tackling. Something to watch. Had a beautiful PBU on deep ball in the early 3rd. Pressed receiver, then turn and ran with him. Got a hand up and deflected the ball as it came down. Got beaten on 3rd/8 when WR went to inside. Watkins stayed close, but QB had good throwing lane. Missed tackle of RB on TD play. Grabbed at him and that wasn’t close to being good enough. Improved player, but still needs to get better.

ROWE – Played in the slot with the 2’s. Struggled at times with quick moves. Played outside with the 2’s as well. Got beaten on inside route, but didn’t give up and knocked the ball out. Eagles recovered. Wasn’t luck. Closed to the receiver and punched the ball out, as he’s been coached to try and do. Got away with illegal contact when he bumped a receiver about 8 yds downfield. Has to be careful about that when playing off. Got in on stop of RB after catch over the middle. Held him up and then DB hit the guy, knocking the ball loose. Deflected a pass in the early 3rd. Was playing the slot and WR ran short crossing route. The ball was high and Rowe got a hand on it. Good effort vs the run in the 2nd half. Fought through block and tackled WR on quick screen. Only gave up a yard or so. Has NFL skill and talent. Just needs experience.

BIGGERS – Good game. Outside with the 2’s. Terrific coverage at LCB on 3rd/3. Rode the WR out of bounds, giving the QB nowhere to put the ball. Legal. Smart positioning on the play. That and going up against a rookie WR. Made tackle of RB on screen pass on 3rd/long. Only gave up 4 to 5 yds. Broke up pass to his WR on 3rd down late in the half. WR dropped a short pass as Biggers hit him in the early 4th.

RICE – Played a lot but didn’t have many balls come his way. Had a pass go to his WR on 2nd/30. Rice was playing off and closed quickly, but the WR dropped the ball. Would have been a short catch.

ANTHONY – Beaten deep in the 4th, but ball was picked off by Reynolds. Least effective CB, but also the newest one to the team.

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ST’s

JONES -Averaged 48 yards on 2 punts, then sat.

K SMITH – Boomed a punt 52 yards. Other 2 punts totaled 81 yards.

PARKEY – Up and down game. Missed an extra point in the last 1st Qtr. Missed a FG in the late 3rd. Made 2 FGs from 40 yards out and one from 48. Solid depth on his kickoffs.

– MISC –

KOR – No returns. All 3 were touchbacks.

PR – Cooper was back on the first punt. Ball went into the endzone. Then Barner took over. He had a terrific game as a PR. Had room to work with and took advantage. Late in the half he ran back a punt 92 yards for a score. Danced a bit at the beginning and that worked vs backups, but wouldn’t be as successful vs starters. Broke one tackle with strength and then took off up the field. Averaged 22 yards per PR.

GAMEBOOK

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