Assessing McGlynn's performance
Mike McGlynn is drawing praise for his performance at center with the first team. But how much can we really tell about him in practice?
Assessing McGlynn's performance
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Mike McGlynn is drawing a lot of praise for his performance the past couple of days as the first-team center.
And rightfully so. He's done a good job. I haven't seen any problems with the snap, and the offense had some good moments against the blitz today.
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg even gave McGlynn a pretty strong vote of confidence.
"I’ve got great confidence in Mike McGlynn. No question about it, and other players do as well," Mornhinweg said. "And there are many reasons for that. It’s because he’s a bright young man, and he’s tough. If you have those two things, typically, with enough hard work, you’re going to be in pretty good to shape to play in a league game."
When I talked to McGlynn yesterday morning after practice, I asked him about directing protections. Besides snapping the ball, it's probably the center's most important job. But I wondered if it's something that can really be evaluated in practice.
"You can write it up all you want on paper, but until you get out onto the field and see it live, that's when it really is important," McGlynn said. "That's the only way you get better at directing protections - is seeing it live."
The Eagles' defense is doing its best to test McGlynn, the rest of the offensive line and the running backs who stay in to block. There have been quite a few blitz drills this week.
"The thing with us right now is our defense has so many blitzes in," McGlynn said. "And it's something different everyday. Once we can gameplan for teams, it becomes easier."
With every practice that Nick Cole misses, McGlynn's chances of taking over the starting job increase greatly. But the point is there's only so much we can tell about a center in practice. The preseason will give us a better idea. And really, we won't know until the regular season, when defenses are trying to confuse Kevin Kolb and company on every snap.
One more thing to add here. Some have made the direct connection between McGlynn starting with the first team and the offense looking sharp the past few days after struggling last week. But I make a more obvious connection: Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson being on the field together. Maclin just returned to practice fully on Monday. And Jackson had missed a lot of time with the lower back strain. The fact that they're both healthy is helping Kolb more than anything.
Sidenote: If you're wondering about the reported spat between Jackson and Maclin, I missed it. So there's not much for me to say on the topic.
OTHER NOTES:
* Max Jean-Gilles' reaction to Andy Reid calling a short practice this morning? "That's love." Jean-Gilles told me his energy level is high, but everyone's a little tired at this point in camp. And in case you're wondering, he's not a fan of the new Madden. "It's too hard," he said. "You put it on All-Madden, you get beat by a garbage team, so I'm back to 2010." The video game the team seems to be obsessed with right now is FIFA. Jean-Gilles said Maclin is whooping up on everybody in that one.
* During wide receiver vs. defensive back one-on-one drills today, Maclin beat Quintin Demps deep, but Kolb barely overthrew him. Maclin reminded Demps that he still had him beat. "You don't catch, you don't win," Demps replied. "It's the NFL."
* Haven't had a chance to ask him about it, but I saw LeSean McCoy do a good job picking up a blitzing Nate Allen today.
* David Akers has been held out of practice with a heel contusion. I'm no doctor, but heel injury and kicker don't seem to go together. I'm not too concerned yet, but this is one that should at least be on everyone's radar until he returns.
* From earlier today: Taking stock of the Eagles' rookies.
* I'm participating in a media softball game at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday. It's Web/Radio against TV/Newspaper, and it's for a great cause: The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia. Check out the link for more information on their programs.
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nice work sheil, real good stuff— sore richard- Starting OL versus Pack. Peters, Herremans, McGlynn, Andrews, Justice. Runs will setup passes.— garcia7
keep up the excellent work...good luck in the softball game. Who won?- Good stuff Sheil. McGlynn has been around for a few years now, it's time to get going (seeing game action) or get going (get cut, try someone new). I hope he earns the starting job and makes it easy to forget about JJ (sorry) and let Cole be the top backup at both RGs, if not push Andrews for his starting spot. Also, FIFA is awesome. Lastly, Sheil, don't try to hit homeruns in the softball game, you'll probably just pop up.— The Reddgie
- I'll take anyone in FIFA, including you Maclin!— sla6yer
- At what point do they commit to McGlynn and shift Cole back to guard?
- Andy needs to get rid of his man crush on N.Cole. McGlynn is clearly the better center. Letting N.Cole start would be a huge mistake i could see all the bad snaps already. It would be a mistake by Andy just like going into the season without a Kick returner, FB, and safety the past years.— Joey0210
@Stik - Good point. When DO we commit to someone playing better than Cole at the C position? Give McGlynn the reps; he's healthy, he's been in the system, especially if KK feels better w/ him at the snap. Also giving kudos to Sheil. His stuff is always fresh and he doesn't hijack other columns for info, but gives credit where due.- I would have to agree with morondopenitwit. Sheil gets an A+. I have always liked Les Bowens articles and have finally found a second writer/blogger that I like in Sheil. McLane is a bit "high on the horse" for me and his insight is far too opinionated/slanted. Tamari is ok for a brief history lesson...if that's what you need.— bonnerlou
- mcglynn is too big and strong. need someone who is smaller and botches the center\qb snap often— gryphon69
Jamaal Jackson will be ready for the opener.— briandawkins20- I hope McGlynn can win the job. After watching N.Cole getting owned in the last two games against the Cowboys, even Andy should be able to see they need an upgrade.
- I like Cole as a Depth Guard and not a Center. You have got to be able to get the protections or the Offense will suffer. Cole proved he is lacking this dept. Cole is a solid backup and with the injury history of this offensive line he should probably get playing time as a backup. Herremans seems hurt or atleast slowed by the foot injury and Andrewe is a big mystery. This o-line should be able to get the job done if they stay healthy because the talent is there. The Birds need Peters to rebound and have a legit Probowl season if the Birds want to make the Playoffs. I think the Defense will be much improved this year with the LB Corps being stronger and hopefully intact and Healthy. I am Eager to see Sims and Bradely in coverages against TE's. Last year the Eagles couldnt cover TE's and their blitz was ineffective. The Defensive Line should be fun to watch also and hopefully the secondary wont be as big of a weakness I think it is. I am hearing good thinga about Hobbs so I guess I will hold my judgements on RIED and ROSEMAN not drafting a starting CB in draft. THis past year's draft was so deep in good talent at the DB postion, I just dont understand why they didnt use a high pick on CB, maybe that last pick in second round, instead of trading it to Dallas. I really hope Sean LEE doesnt make the Birds regret that move the way they regret trading with Dallas so they could get that beast Anthony Spencer!
- Rare harmony on the board this morning. Andy is the only person who wants Cole at C. To bad this isn't a democaracy. OVEREXPOSED: You could run that draft a million times again and the Eagles would NEVER take Spencer. He's too big to be an Eagles LB, and they would never take one in the first two rounds. Even if they did, they would just use him as a nickel DT.— jimmyj
- i had a cat in college who loved FIFA on Sega Genesis. Of course, that became his name. RIP FIFA.— Lunchboy
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