5 Things We'll Be Watching v. Browns
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
5 Things We'll Be Watching v. Browns
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Vick’s Rust: Quarterback Michael Vick played just 12 snaps in the preseason because of injuries. Vick says it’s no big deal, but that remains to be seen. Under normal circumstances, he would’ve played about 60-70 snaps. Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg probably will open the game with some safe, high-percentage passes for Vick.
Pressuring the Rookie QB: The Eagles, who led the league in sacks last season, notched 20 in four preseason games, including 3 of the Browns’ Brandon Weeden. Defensive line coach Jim Washburn’s top priority Sunday will getting as much pressure on the rookie as possible.
Ryans’ Hope: It looked like the Eagles finally had solved their middle linebacker problems when they traded for two-time Pro Bowler DeMeco Ryans in the offseason. But he made very few plays in the preseason. Is he playing possum? Or is he just not the same player he was before his 2010 Achilles injury?
The Jason Peters Impact: Peters was the best offensive lineman in football last year, hands down. The Eagles definitely are going to miss him. The question is, how much? The man they brought in to replace him, Demetress Bell, will open the season on the bench. Plan B is King Dunlap, who will start Sunday against the Browns.
Red Zone Defense: For much of last season, the Eagles’ red zone defense wasn’t very good. If opposing teams got to the 20, they usually finished the job, converting 23 of 34 red-zone chances into touchdowns in the Eagles’ first 12 games. But during their ``fool’s gold’’ 4-0 finish, they allowed just five TDs in 13 red-zone trips. Against a Browns team with a rookie quarterback, the Eagles need to be stingy inside the 20.
ummm,, if Vick throws just 1 Int in this game,, he needs to be yanked and the let go! if the Eagles dont win by 38!!! AR needs to be yanked and then let go! if Juan the mans man of defense coordinators is still suffering from "deer in headlights" syndrom!! he needs to be yanked and then let go! other than that? lets have a great season guys!! :)— With all this talent who needs a real defensive coordinator?- Unless, of course, you have your tongue firmly planted in your
cheek. Which for your sake I hope.— blaqjaq - The move to sign Bell seemed like the right one in the off-season. King Dunlap is a backup at best, though he has improved. Maybe Bell will be back in there by game three.— armchairGM
Comment removed.- Still looks like big problems at linebacker, safety and replacing Peters. Vick will be hurt by the 3rd game and we'll get to see what the kid can do.— farley
- Look for the Eagles to stumble out of the gate, thanks to inactivity by Mike Vick but then in the second quarter, they get things rolling and get the W. Eagles 27, Browns 10.— Panthro2011
I expect our defense to have a field day against the young QB. The offense should also fare pretty well, based on what I saw of Cleveland's D. Besides, it's pretty tough for any defense to play well if their offense is going 3 and out or moving backward.- The only place Bell will be is "in another zipcode". I can't believe that the coaches watched films and saw him at Lehigh and did NOT get rid of him. I gues when you pay mega dollars for trash--you need to smell it for along time before it goes to the dump— thechief
- Some have predicted as many as 12 wins for the Eagles. I don't see it. I realize its a long season and its only the first game, but if the Eagles don't beat the Browns soundly, it could be a long year. If this supposedly improved D can't trounce a rookie QB then it could get ugly. I was always a believer in Vick, but after watching last years playoffs, he's too small and too careles with the ball. I see 9 and 7 at best. I hope I am wrong.— JJFN
- I want to see how Juan Castillo adjust his Defense after halftime. Last year he never did adjust and 5 Teams made last quarter comebacks against the Birds. Also just learned that Leonard Weaver will be joining DNL Pre-Game and Post-Game shows on game days. Another Motor Mouth that will compete with Rendell to drown out and speak over Ray Didinger, who is the only competent Analyst on both shows! Ray is too nice a guy to say anything so he just sits there quietly waiting to get his 30 seconds in. I am depressed! Rendell must have made a lot of $$$ for Comcast when he was Guv!— cooperhawk
- Couldn't agree more. Rendell adds absolutely nothing to the
show. Does he have compromising photos of someone?— blaqjaq - I want to see how Juan Castillo adjust his Defense after halftime. Last year he never did adjust and 5 Teams made last quarter comebacks against the Birds. Also just learned that Leonard Weaver will be joining DNL Pre-Game and Post-Game shows on game days. Another Motor Mouth that will compete with Rendell to drown out and speak over Ray Didinger, who is the only competent Analyst on both shows! Ray is too nice a guy to say anything so he just sits there quietly waiting to get his 30 seconds in. I am depressed! Rendell must have made a lot of $$$ for Comcast when he was Guv!— cooperhawk
- Cooperhawk, I agree defense could do better, but in those 5 games where the lead was lost the offense scored a total of 3 points. When you commit more turnovers than you score points, you're probably going to lose— airbuzz
- Enough talk.. The Eagles will blow out the Browns on Sunday.. Mark it down! And Cooperhawk(whatever that is?)who cares what DNL does or say. All you guys know it all anyway!!— mayfair pride
