What to watch vs. Kansas City
A look at five things to keep your eyes on during Friday night's Eagles preseason game against Kansas City:
What to watch vs. Kansas City
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
A look at five things to keep your eyes on during Friday night's Eagles preseason game against Kansas City:
1. Todd Herremans: The left guard might be the most consistent member of the offensive line when he’s healthy. He hasn’t played this preseason. The Eagles say they’ve taken it slow with Herremans as a precautionary move, after he experienced soreness in his repaired left foot back in the spring. But you take precautions for a reason, because you’re concerned. Herremans needs to get through this game without any problems. If he helps solidify a struggling interior line corps, that would be nifty, as well.
2. Mike Bell: The running back penciled in as the main backup to relatively untested Shady McCoy has not played a down in the preseason. Be kind of nice to see him stay healthy and look sharp, as well. Maybe Bell can help convert an early third-and-1 like the chance the Eagles botched last week in Cincinnati?
3. The starters, in general: The third preseason game is the one where you see the main guys the most. In fact, it’s the last time you see them before the season starts. So red zone success for the offense would be a nice thing, and a little better push from the defensive front, without blitzing, also would be reassuring. Nobody getting hurt is a good thing, as well.
4. David Akers: The kicker, who turns 36 in December, didn’t practice all week because of a heel problem, but he’s scheduled to kick tonight anyway. If he falls down clutching his foot, that could have an impact on the season.
5. Kick return coverage: It’s been absolutely awful so far. Eagles seem to get guys down near the returner, but nobody takes that extra step and puts him on the ground early in the return. Big improvement needed here.
This is not a championship season, just a team trying to move in that direction. Will be lots of ups and downs. Hope everyone takes it easy on them and just enjoys the excitement. No reason to worry in the preseason, because we're not going all that far in the postseason, if we even get there. Worry about next year and if the brass gets this line upgraded. Even next year, be easy on these guys, because Roseman and Reid assembled the crew; the players didn't decide to have big question marks in the defensive backfield and offensive line.— tacklinjoe- Not so sure if you'll see significant improvement on KR coverage, Les. The Eagles will continue to try some of the bubble guys in ST roles. Nothing will probably be set for that group until the season starts.— Peter527
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Kolb will have 2 td's and bell will rush for a touchdown. The Chiefs will struggle on Defense and Matt Cassel will have a tough time with the Eagles D which will hold KC without a td. I say the Eagles D gets 2 picks and the Offense puts up alot of points but I hope there is no injuries. My Prediction: Eagles 24 Chiefs 9— briandawkins20- Guess which poster so far is the obsessive McNabb fan? "Sono", to address the issue at the heart of the unfounded and unwarranted comments about Andy Reid. McNabb was a fantastic quarterback whose strengths did not fit very well with the West Coast offense. He is arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play in Philly and carried the offense on his back until Brian Westbrook emerged. That said, Kolb is a better fit for Reid's west coast offense and as long as Kolb continues to exhibit an acumen for learning from his mistakes and as long the offensive line (with Herremans gels) we'll be in a solid position once we make the postseason. If McNabb had the plethora of weapons at Kolb's disposal 7-8 years ago, who knows what could have been accomplished but it truly was time to move on. The "youth" comment McNabb made after the Cowboy loss last year solidified that.— estevus2
- Good point estevus! Sono, who do you root for? Obviously not the Eagles!— Peter527
- Sono: what does AR's parenting have to do with tonight's game? Nothing. If you want to talk about his parenting, go get on Oprah's of Dr. Phil's comment boards, this is for football talk. And I am fine with you calling AR the dumbest coach in the NFL, as long as you can cite examples. We don't want folks confusing you with Wolf 4, or Mr. Kool Aid, Briandawkins20— The Reddgie
- Tonights game? It's August 26. The KC game is August 27.— JACK V
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- Because the team is young, this is not going to be a highy successful season. Evaluate players and lose 10 and get a high draft status. Get a big D-lineman. Get a CB over 6'2" feet to cover tall receivers. Get a good O-lineman. The Eagles have to be able to stop being destroyed by Dallas' O- and D-line.— 4thand10
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- ZZZZZ let me see if this team decides to man up and take control of the line of scrimmage with a running game of ANY KIND. OR is it the same old 3 second back pedal quick dump passing stuff 90 % of the time that is in my mind football for wussie boys.— MJPD345
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- Brian Westbrook WAS a starting running back. How did Don look against Baltimore this week?— coloradoeagle
