The final time we had been right here, when it was actual six months in the past, this could have been titled: “The Unhealthy, the Horrible, and the Worst,” after the Eagles’ 32-9 Wild Card spherical playoff debacle in Tampa Bay on January 15.
With 10:44 left to play, ESPN shade analyst and NFL Corridor of Famer Troy Aikman overtly—and precisely—introduced to the nation that the Eagles had been a … “a defeated staff they usually had been once they got here in. And there’s been no life to this group actually all through all the ball recreation.”
That’s what the Eagles—and Nick Sirianni—should recover from this season when it turns into actual.
This gown rehearsal on Friday evening in Baltimore didn’t imply a lot. This was a number of Kenny Pickett, Brett Toth, Fred Johnson, Darian Kinnard, John Ross, Johnny Wilson and Britain Covey. The Eagles lined up, left-to-right, with Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Brett Toth, Mekhi Becton and Darian Kinnard.
In different phrases, who cares?
Defensively, it was attention-grabbing the way in which the Eagles got here out, with newly acquired Bryce Huff as one edge rusher, Nolan Smith as the opposite edge, and on the inside, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. The linebackers had been Zack Baun, taking part in inside as a linebacker for the primary time, paired with Devin White, whereas the corners had been Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo, and the safeties had been Reed Blankenship and James Bradberry.
It bodes nicely to search out some gems going in opposition to totally different coloured jerseys. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. regarded good, making a team-high 5 tackles by halftime, and Pickett moved nicely within the pocket, finishing 13 of 21 for 90 yards and a landing within the first half. He completed 14 of twenty-two, taking two sacks. Keegan appears to be like stable proper now and the protection was cussed in opposition to the Baltimore backups working primary stuff.
There was a very good quantity of excellent, some sloppy unhealthy and some ugly moments within the Eagles’ 16-13 walk-off win over the Baltimore Ravens.
The Good
Edge rusher Patrick Johnson each stripping and recovering a fumble with 10 seconds left, giving Jake Elliott a second probability at redemption for a missed further level and missed discipline objective attempt. Elliott’s 49-yard discipline objective gave the Eagles the walk-off victory, after he clanged a 50-yard discipline objective try off the precise upright with 16 seconds left.
Left deal with Fred Johnson and left guard Trevor Keegan opening up a gaping gap for Kenneth Gainwell to roar via for a nine-yard acquire on the Eagles’ third play of the sport. Keegan was the Eagles’ fifth-round choose and has some promise. On this play, Johnson sealed nicely, and Keegan shoved his man to the precise, creating the area Gainwell wanted. Keegan regarded sharp—and made to order for being even higher beneath Eagles’ legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Linebacker Devin White confirmed some flashes of his former self on the primary drive, stuffing the run.
Rookie first-round draft choose Quinyon Mitchell did a pleasant job breaking apart a go on the Ravens’ first possession, on a third-and-10 on the Eagles’ 29. Mitchell ought to have intercepted the go, however his go break-up did drive Baltimore right into a discipline objective.
The Eagles’ second drive. They drove 75 yards, they chewed up 8:50 over 15 performs. Will Shipley picked up a blitz, and picked up 27 yards from scrimmage on the drive, together with a 7-yard landing catch from Pickett.
Pickett confirmed he’s a viable NFL quarterback and a really credible back-up to Jalen Hurts on the second drive. He was 5-for-5 for 39 yards, together with a TD go to Shipley. Pickett completed the half finishing 13 of 21 for 90 yards and a landing. He moved nicely within the pocket and confirmed NFL poise. He might be a dependable backup that might be good for a few video games, if wanted.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. arising with a pleasant hit on particular groups with 5:43 left within the half, then following up with two extra stops on the Ravens’ possession. Trotter is just not as massive as his father, however he’s sooner than his all-time Eagles’ nice dad and extra athletic (and Trot Sr. has admitted that quite a few instances). Trotter Jr. is nice sufficient to make this staff and presumably be an affect participant by midseason. He was a number one tackler at Clemson. Trotter led the Eagles in tackles at halftime, making 5 stops, 4 solos and one sack. He made a staff excessive six tackles general.
Covey’s 26-yard punt return within the final 4 minutes of the half. The pint-sized punt returner will need to have been hit 5 instances, and maintained his steadiness to get the ball to the Eagles’ 37.
Cornerback Ringo broke up three passes within the first half and was one of some shiny spots late final season for the Eagles.
Proper guard Matt Hennessy and proper deal with Kinnard did an amazing job pulling and kicking out for Lew Nichols’ 2-yard rating with 2:16 left to play within the third quarter. If this may translate into the common season, the Eagles might have a wholesome quantity of offensive line depth.
It was encouraging to see edge Nolan Smith get a 9-yard sack late within the third quarter on a first-and-10 on the Ravens’ 28.
The Unhealthy
Johnson going offsides on the Eagles’ opening drive a couple of performs after opening a giant gap for Kenneth Gainwell. It’s the pre-snap penalties that kills drives, and Johnson’s soar positioned the Eagles in a first-and-15, which led to the drive stalling.
Okay, okay, it’s preseason. It’s all the time good to make further factors. Elliott missed a uncommon one when it chipped the left upright after the Eagles’ first rating. Anyway you wish to take a look at it, it’s unhealthy.
Steen being flagged for holding on a first-and-10 on the Eagles’ 36 with 7:46 left within the half. That got here after Pickett had scrambled free for 5 yards.
The Ugly
Elliott, usually Mr. Clutch, hit the precise upright on a 50-yard doable game-winner with 16 seconds left.
The Ravens’ Owen Wright ripping via the center of the Eagles’ protection for 12 yards on Baltimore’s first offensive play—in opposition to the Eagles’ beginning inside. It was a really spectacular method to get on new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s good facet. And the place was linebacker Zack Baun?
The Ravens’ second play, which went for 17 yards, on a brief go left. Rookie first-round draft choose Quinyon Mitchell was nowhere to be discovered. Avonte Maddox needed to make the play down the sector.
Drops early within the fourth quarter by Jacob Harris and E.J. Jenkins on consecutive passes are a great way to not make an NFL staff when each goal counts.
