Second Preseason Game Grades

Going into Friday’s preseason game, I had felt very good about how the Eagles looked up until that point. The Eagles’ have had their fair share of problems this offseason, but the good had overshadowed the bad up until Friday. The only word to describe Friday’s performance is sloppy. The offensive line looked absolutely atrocious. The interior of the offensive line was the source of the problem. Mike McGlynn, Stacy Andrews, and Max Jean-Giles had trouble all night with the stunts, and blitzes the Bengals defense was throwing at them. This lack of protection and blocking makes it very difficult to even grade the rest of the offense. Kevin Kolb looked very good given the fact that he was under pressure almost every time he dropped back to pass. Kolb was able to feel the pressure around him, buy time, and find the open receiver. LeSean McCoy didn’t get much blocking in front of him, but he was able to break off a few big runs for the offense, but once again the offense couldn’t convert on third-and-short. This has been a problem that has plagued the Eagles’ throughout Andy Reid’s time as coach. The addition of Mike Bell was supposed to solve this problem, but he didn’t play Friday night, and hasn’t really been able to find his role in this offense. Bell will find his comfort in the offense during this season, and that could lead to a jumbo backfield set of Leonard Weaver and Mike Bell. This backfield should be able to gain a few yards on third down, but that will all depend on the state of our offensive line. The wide receivers looked good last night except for Jeremy Maclin’s fumble that killed one of the first team’s good drives. Overall, the offense was able to move the ball with an offensive line that missing two key starters, Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson, and the backup center, Nick Cole. If I had to give the offense a grade for last night’s performance, it would be a C+. They were able to move the ball on a solid Bengals defense, but they came up short on too many drives with turnovers, penalties, and bad play from the offensive line. When the Eagles were able to get in the Bengals territory, they weren’t able to put up six points. Kolb was able to hit Jason Avant for a touchdown, but it was called back for a illegal formation penalty, one of three on the night.

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Heading into the Friday night’s game, the Eagles’ defense was the big question mark for a team that looked explosive on offense in their first preseason game. How would this new look secondary do against Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens? The answer was pretty good. Except for the Bengals’s touchdown drive, the Eagles’ defense looked more like the Eagles’ defenses of Jim Johnson. This is not to say that they didn’t give up a lot of yards, but when they did give up some yardage, they were able to create turnovers that negated any yards they have given up. They also tackled much better than they did last year. When this preseason started I didn’t know what to expect out of this year’s defense, and it is safe to say that our defense can be as good as our offense as long as we stay healthy. This year’s defense doesn’t need to shut teams out because our offense will be able to put up points on even the best defenses, so last night’s defensive effort was definitely a good sign for what is to come this year. The Eagles were helped a little bit by Carson Palmer being a little erratic, and throwing the balls a little high, but some of it was caused by pressure, and Palmer having to fit the ball into tight spots. Overall, I would give the first team defense a B to B+ for their effort. They did give up a touchdown and a few big plays so they don’t get the A, but they were able to force turnovers even without Asante Samuel. The tackling was very solid, but Cedric Benson still found some holes. If the defense plays like they did Friday night, the Eagles should be in a position to win some games when the regular season begins.

By: Louis Greco
Pro Football Fans Philadelphia Eagles Correspondent