Eagles-Jaguars: Why we care
Here are some things I'll be following during tonight's game:
Eagles-Jaguars: Why we care
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here are some things I'll be following during tonight's game:
** We get to see 60 percent of the offensive line in action. Usually that would be a bad sign, since two players are still missing, but this has not been a usual preseason. You could make the argument that we're actually seeing 80 percent of the line, if you think Shawn Andrews will be absent Week 1 and it'll be Winston Justice starting. I'll try to watch Justice closely as I've done during the first two preseason games. If he were the starting right tackle in Week 1, I'd be concerned. We also want to see Jason Peters deliver a better performance than he did in the first preseason game. And we get to see Stacy Andrews for the first time. There's no doubt in my mind that the Eagles' offense will be as good as the line allows it to be. The talent is there at the skill positions, but if the line does not protect Donovan McNabb, or open holes for Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, it's going to be a long season.
** Speaking of Westbrook, it will be great to see him back on the field. His progress has probably been the most encouraging sign of the preseason. Westbrook's health was a major concern going into Lehigh, but he has been ahead of schedule all the way through, and tonight he will get knocked around a little bit before most likely sitting out the final preseason game. Just please don't let him get knocked around too much, Andy.
** Very interested to see how the middle linebacker competition plays out. Will Joe Mays stay in during nickel situations? Will Moise Fokou get some playing time early? It appears at this point that the coaching staff has not seen a solution it likes and is willing to try anything, which is fine. That's what happens when your starting middle linebacker goes down with a torn ACL.
** Who wants the last spot at wide receiver? In Les Bowen's roster breakdown, he predicted it would be Hank Baskett and Brandon Gibson. Paul Domowitch said there's a chance Reggie Brown could get dealt to the Jets or Ravens. Do the Eagles make a concerted effort to show Brown off tonight? Wouldn't be a bad idea.
** I'm still looking for more playmakers on defense. Other than Asante Samuel and Trent Cole, I'm not sure anyone fits the description. But unlike the first two games, the defense is not facing a Hall of Fame quarterback. It would be nice to see them deliver a strong showing against a pretty mediocre offense (finished last season 20th in the NFL).
** There's also special teams, Jason Babin and the safeties not named Quintin Mikell. Plus that Michael Vick guy. To be honest, I could care less about the off-field Vick stuff tonight. I want to see how Reid uses him, but I wonder how much he's actually going to unveil. Join me for a live chat at 7 p.m. We'll provide instant updates and commentary throughout. Talk to you then.
5 the fact that you would use race as reasoning and then blame it on other people's opinions not only DOES make you an idiot, but unoriginal as well.— tripschaos- sean considine may be the worst player i have ever seen...— Santorooo
Comment removed.- I'm afraid our guys will be punching at second stringers most of the game tonight. The Jags will be playing their THIRD game in 11 days tonight! Most of their first string will be on the sidelines (rightfully so!) after maybe two series, maybe one. Their "dress rehersal" game will be next week. Will be interesting to see if our number one units can be effective against a so-called "mediocre" team's number two units. GO IGGLES!!— TBear
- Considine blew coverages at least 3 times in the last couple of seasons that cost us games, and he wasn't even the starter. Let's not get all sentimental over that underachiever.— ematusko
- People see Jon Runyan as a beloved figure, and he's white. People see Winston Justice as a loser, and he's black. Sean Considine was a 4th round pick who was probably picked in the right place. A 4th rounder is generally predicted to make an NFL roster, play a few years as a backup, and challenge for a starting role. Considine was billed as a hard hitter with decent coverage skills. Unfortunately, his hitting is below average (especially close to the line of scrimage), and his coverage is average.
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- I would like to see no one else get hurt. And I would like to see the race-card stopped being unjustly tossed around. It cheapens the valid racial concerns that actually exist.— rwright611
- Considine never played like he did at Iowa, 5. Injury problems compromised his game. Think Jim Johnson cared if he was white?— tacklinjoe
- He's right, Considine was "involved" in 75% of tackles ... because he always arrived after the play had been made. Never failed. You saw someone else make a great stop - camera cuts away - cuts back and suddenly Considine appeared out of nowhere to try and share some of the credit. He was great at getting to the area a tackle needed to be made, and even batter at missing that tackle or waiting for someone else to do it. Cut because he was white? I think we are all falling for a very hilarious and deeply sarcastic joke from 5.— JohnnyO
- Considine is white?— Burrell
- Why do you people listen to ANYTHING that 5isacreepandagirl and DrMichelle say? They are "HATERS". Please don't answer their posts!
- I want to see Jason Babin up against the 1st stringers. A similar outing to last weeks and then I'll get excited. As for Ellis Hobbs - if he actually knew how to tackle he'd still be a Patriot.— CarpGuy
- I want to see Asante Samuel cover someone, ANYONE. Same goes for Ellis Hobbs. I'm beginning to think there is a reason they are not in New England anymore. I'd also like to see the defense stop the run. That was bread and butter last year, what happened? Can't blame it all on Stewart Bradley. Fat Boys, up front, let's see some push!!— craig123
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
