Eagles prepare for the key tune-up of preseason

The Eagles' third preseason game, Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs, will include a mix of firsts and lasts before the team opens the 2010 season in earnest on Sept. 12.

It will be the last chance for most, if not all, of the team's starters to iron out any wrinkles against live competition before they play meaningful games.

It will be the first chance to see left guard Todd Herremans and running back Mike Bell compete against an opposing team this year.

It will be the last opportunity for the first-team offense to get into the end zone before the season begins. And it will be the first opportunity to see first-round pick Brandon Graham start with the first-team defense.

The Eagles' starters are expected to play three quarters in their last tune-up before the regular season.

"There's a little more importance. We try to treat it as much like a game week as we can without getting too crazy with preparation," said quarterback Kevin Kolb, referring to the fact that the team spends less time game-planning for specific opponents in the preseason.

Kolb has led eight completed drives over three preseason quarters without producing a touchdown. The team has moved the ball well and been close to the end zone several times only to be stung by penalties, a dropped pass, and a missed throw. Kolb said it's better to work out such problems now, in the preseason.

The inability to score has been based on the Eagles' own miscues, which can be fixed, he said.

"We want to put a whole bunch of points on the board," Kolb said. "We've missed out on some opportunities. It's been totally us, and we should have had three or four touchdowns by now, at least."

The Eagles should have chances against a Chiefs team that finished fourth-worst in points allowed in 2009. Kolb roasted the Chiefs for 327 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3 last season.

Coach Andy Reid has downplayed concern about the team's red-zone performance but said, "When you get into the red zone, you want to score. We try to do that in the preseason with a limited package. But at the same time if you execute, you score."

The returns of Herremans and Bell could boost the Eagles' run game.

The offensive line was battered by the Bengals last week. The interior was often overrun.

Herremans will start after sitting out most of training camp and the previous two preseason games to limit the pounding on his left foot, an injury that forced him to miss the start of last season.

Herremans may be seen as something of a savior for the line, the Eagles' biggest question mark heading toward the season. But he has modest aims for this game.

"I would like to have an error-free game," he said. "I don't want to screw up."

Herremans is unlikely to play the full three quarters with the rest of the starters as the team remains cautious about his foot. Max Jean-Gilles will likely fill in for him and may also rotate with Stacy Andrews at right guard.

Bell, meanwhile, is trying to show that he can be relied on to bolster the running game once the regular season starts. Signed as a power complement to LeSean McCoy, Bell has struggled with injuries throughout his career, playing 15, five, and four games, respectively, in his first three NFL seasons before rebounding last year with the Saints, playing in 13 games plus all three of the team's postseason appearances.

Bell's goal?

"Be consistent and show these coaches that they can rely on me for the long haul," he said.

Graham, who was promoted after a strong performance against the Bengals last week, will get his first chance to start, joining fellow rookie Nate Allen on the first-team defense.

He should get many opportunities, with fellow left defensive end Juqua Parker sitting out with an ankle injury.

Cornerback Macho Harris, who started at safety last season but appears to be on the edge of the roster this year, will get to play after missing the first two preseason games because of injury, Reid said. It's not clear, though, how much action he will see.

The starters will get most of the playing time, but Reid said he wanted the full roster to be ready.

"I've told the young guys and the guys that aren't with that first group that you've got to stay focused in on the game plan. You don't know if somebody goes down and you're in the game, and then when it gets to the fourth quarter you want to be productive and win the game," Reid said.

Cornelius Ingram, a talented second-year tight end who was out all of last year because of torn anterior cruciate ligaments, has a "significant Baker's cyst" on the back of his left knee and calf, and will not travel to Kansas City, the Eagles said Thursday. Ingram also was out his last season at Florida with the same injury.

Ingram, who never seemed to regain his explosiveness this training camp, had been slowed in recent days and had an MRI exam on Wednesday.

He had the cyst drained at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia on Thursday.

According to the Mayo Clinic's website, a Baker's cyst is "usually the result of a problem with your knee joint, such as arthritis or a cartilage tear."

Fourth-round draft pick Clay Harbor had already taken over the second tight end role in practices. Ingram may be headed to injured reserve for another season or could be cut.