Following two joint coaching camp practices between the groups, the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Cleveland Browns in a preseason recreation at Lincoln Monetary Area with a 1:00 PM Jap begin time on Saturday afternoon.
The Birds are unlikely to swimsuit up their starters since 1) they already noticed loads of reps in apply this week and a couple of) they only don’t prefer to danger their key gamers getting harm in a preseason recreation.
With that in thoughts, listed below are probably the most attention-grabbing Eagles to observe in opposition to the Browns. On your viewing help, I’ve listed jersey numbers subsequent to the participant names.
STARTING CORNERBACK BATTLE
Ringo clearly struggled within the Eagles’ first preseason recreation. He didn’t precisely rebound in apply in opposition to the Browns. Ringo is operating out of time to show he deserves to start out, if it’s not already too late for him. He might actually afford a optimistic displaying on Saturday.
It looks as if the Eagles could be leaning Jackson over Ringo for the time being. Which isn’t actually an excellent testomony to Jackson as a lot as it’s an indictment on the Eagles’ different choices. If Ringo struggles once more, Jackson could possibly be one step nearer to beginning. Particularly if Jackson manages to keep away from having a foul outing.
Bennett can be making his Eagles preseason debut after not enjoying in final week’s recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. He notably struggled within the Eagles’ first apply in opposition to the Browns. We’ll see what he can do in his first recreation motion. The sensation right here is that JB is unlikely to contend for a Week 1 beginning job however he might finally rise to beginning standing if/when there’s a beginning CB benching sooner or later this season.
McWilliams has lately seen extra reps on the skin (principally with the second-team protection however just a few with the first-team unit) and fewer on the within, which might point out he’s realistically competing for a beginning function. As stated with Bennett, McWilliams could be in a greater place to finally rise to beginning standing through the season than declare the job by Week 1.
Brown is at present the favourite to start out at security (in nickel packages, nonetheless behind Cooper DeJean in base). Different observers really feel like he’s constructing optimistic momentum however the feeling right here is that he nonetheless has a lot to show. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how lengthy the Eagles hold him within the recreation on Saturday. It’s arduous to say he’s operating away with the beginning security job when Andrew Mukuba was taking some first-team security reps over Brown as lately as Monday.
Mukuba will make his Eagles preseason debut after lacking final week’s recreation. The second-round rookie has principally been repping with the second-team protection. However he might make a late push to start out over Brown with a robust efficiency on Saturday.
STARTING LINEBACKER BATTLE
Based on Vic Fangio, Campbell didn’t begin in opposition to the Bengals because of the coaching employees eager to restrict his snaps. We’ll see if he’s nonetheless on a pitch rely once more on this recreation. Does Campbell begin subsequent to Jeremiah Trotter Jr.? Or is it Smael Mondon Jr. once more? How lengthy does Campbell play into the sport? And the way does he look when he does play? We’ve but to see Campbell rep subsequent to Zack Baun, who’s missed loads of apply time, throughout coaching camp. It looks as if Trot Jr. might begin forward of Campbell in Week 1. However that doesn’t essentially imply Campbell received’t be on the sphere in some form of rotational function.
TEMPORARY STARTING LEFT GUARD BATTLE
Toth has taken all of the first-time reps at left guard since Landon Dickerson suffered a knee damage on Sunday night time. Do the Eagles really feel the necessity to get him intensive snaps at left guard on this recreation? Or do they wish to restrict his enjoying time to forestall him from struggling an damage that knocks them right down to their third LG choice?
Kinnard shifted over from engaged on the suitable aspect of the offensive line to left guard within the aftermath of Dickerson’s damage. If Toth struggles and Kinnard performs effectively, might the latter rise to the beginning function till Dickerson is able to return?
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see the place Pryor strains up on Saturday afternoon. Do the Eagles get him any snaps at left guard?
ROTATIONAL EDGE RUSHER BATTLE
Uche has arguably been the Eagles’ third-best edge rusher and he’s even been on the first-team protection forward of Jalyx Hunt at occasions. With Philly’s edge rushers failing to generate any form of disruption in opposition to the Bengals’ offense final week, it’d be good to see them create some stress on this spot. Uche ought to have the ability to stand out on this state of affairs.
Some observers famous that Ojulari had his finest apply on Wednesday. That’s probably not saying a lot, although, since he’s principally been invisible. Time for that to vary.
Johnson makes performs within the preseason. It’s what he does. If he continues to take action, how do the Eagles not hold him round? He may also play on particular groups. And he does get first-team reps in apply.
Ogbo is pushing for a roster spot. Low-ceiling, high-floor choice in an edge rusher rotation that lacks confirmed expertise.
DEPTH WIDE RECEIVER BATTLE
Cooper seemed superior in final week’s recreation in opposition to the Bengals. Since then, the staff has elevated his first-team reps on each offense and particular groups. Cooper’s most likely already finished sufficient for the Eagles to maintain him on the roster. Nevertheless it’ll be enjoyable to see if he can terrorize the Browns’ protection on Saturday. Cooper’s potential is thrilling. Even when he’s not an enormous issue this season, he could possibly be a future beginning receiver for this staff.
Smith simply hasn’t finished a lot of something on offense to face out in a great way. Can he proceed to show he supplies worth as a punt returner? If not, it’s arduous to argue he deserves a roster spot.
Marshall missed a piece of coaching camp practices and final week’s recreation as a result of damage. It could be too late for him to make the Eagles’ roster, particularly given Cooper’s ascent. However he’s nonetheless preventing for his NFL profession. And Tanner McKee has loved throwing his method. So, he might get some alternatives.
Guessing Cooks received’t have the ability to play since he solely returned to apply in a restricted capability on Wednesday. If that’s the case, he’ll have solely performed one offensive snap within the first two preseason video games after wanting fairly good in apply previous to his damage. Unlucky. Perhaps he pushes to play realizing that his time is operating out.
#14 – DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON
DTR seemed OK however not nice in opposition to the Bengals final week. If the Eagles in the reduction of on McKee’s enjoying time, which they most likely ought to as a result of I don’t know that there’s a ton extra to study him, each of the Eagles’ QB3 candidates might get extra snaps to show they belong.
McCord actually struggled in his NFL preseason debut. If we see extra of the identical, are the Eagles actually going to really feel the necessity to hold him on the roster when he would possibly have the ability to make it to the apply squad as a substitute?
BVS didn’t play on offense in opposition to the Bengals. Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo urged that the Eagles don’t wish to tip their hand on their fullback utilization. We’ll see if that is still the case on Saturday. BVS did see a crimson zone goal from a Jalen Hurts throw in Thursday’s apply. Extra importnatly, BVS may also proceed to show his value by excelling on particular groups.
Sam was lively as each a defender and particular groups contributor final week. He’s a man the Eagles ought to wish to carry on the roster however it stays to be seen if the room is there for him to make it.
#34 – MONTRELL JOHNSON JR.
The undrafted rookie operating again from Florida can be making his Eagles preseason debut after lacking chunk of coaching camp and final week’s recreation as a result of a hamstring damage. Johnson Jr. flashed early in camp previous to getting harm. He’s realistically pushing for a apply squad spot.
Younger missed final week’s recreation as a result of damage. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if he stands out on Saturday, particularly since he retains getting talked about by Vic Fangio within the defensive coordinator’s press convention. However the Eagles already appear to have 5 defensive tackles forward of him on their depth chart.
The lengthy snapper? Actually? Sure. Hughlett missed final week’s recreation as a result of a neck damage, so, this can be his Eagles preseason debut. If you happen to don’t discover him on Saturday, that’ll be signal. In any other case … that’s a problem.
