Eagles-Browns preview

Who: Eagles vs. Cleveland Browns

What: Third exhibition game

When: Tonight, 7:30

Where: Lincoln Financial Field

TV: 6ABC

Radio: WYSP (94.1-FM), WIP (610-AM), ESPN (97.3-FM)

5 THINGS TO WATCH TONIGHT VS. THE BROWNS:

 1. Deeefense: Has to look less clueless than last week in Pittsburgh. This will be interesting, with the "ones" scheduled to play three quarters. Lotta talk last week about how the players are still feeling their way through the new scheme. Can you get all that much more comfortable and confident in a week? Dunno how much Peyton Hillis will play, but we ought to get a better idea of whether the Birds can stop the run.

2. Michael Vick: He showed a solid understanding of why he can't be as impatient and rash as he was in throwing those three picks in the first half last week. It would be reassuring to see Vick translate that understanding into a sharp performance tonight.

3. Casey Matthews: See first item. Middle linebacker Matthews is the starter with the most to prove on the unit with the most to prove. Coaches thought some of the criticism directed at Matthews from the Pittsburgh loss was overblown, said he got better as the game went on. Linc crowd won't care that he's in the right gap, if he can't make the play.

4. Jarrad Page: Veteran safety was brought in for insurance. Then Nate Allen and his repaired knee looked alarmingly slow in Pittsburgh. Now, with Jaiquawn Jarrett apparently not ready to start, a lot might be riding on Page.

5. Mike Patterson: Defensive tackle will see his first action of the preseason after leaving the Lehigh field in an ambulance only 3 weeks ago yesterday. He says he has felt just fine, ever since he woke up in the ambulance, really, but getting some snaps under his belt, even if he doesn't play a lot, is an important step. And he can stop the run.