Philadelphia Eagles Preseason Full of Surprises, Both Good and Bad

At the beginning of training camp, rookie fifth-round pick Cornelius Ingram suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee, leaving the Eagles tight end position perilously thin behind starter Brent Celek.

Coming out of the University of Florida, Ingram was a known injury risk, having suffered an ACL tear that kept him out of game competition all of last season.

For this reason, Ingram, considered a talent worthy of a second or third round pick, lasted all the way until the fifth round, where the Eagles snatched him up.

At summer mini-camp, Ingram displayed some of his potential, showing great explosiveness, and soft hands. Of all of the rookies in attendance, Ingram was perhaps the most impressive.

Then, the injury came and the Eagles were forced to bring in undrafted rookie Rob Myers, out of Utah and recently signed veteran Tony Curtis, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys.

These two are the current favorites to fill out the final two tight end spots on the roster, assuming the Eagles keep three. Myers is a fast, pass-catching tight end, while Curtis is more of a “line of scrimmage type” according to Head Coach Andy Reid.

Other options include incumbent backup Matt Schobel, who has proved inadequate this year and faces the strong possibility of not making this 2009 Eagles team.

Another undrafted rookie, Eugene Bright, has shown some flashes, but not enough to warrant being considered anything but a long-shot on this squad.

The Eagles run some packages that include two tight ends. When LJ Smith was on the team last year, we occasionally saw him and Celek on the field at the same time.

It remains to be seen who that second tight end will be this year, or if the Eagles will even ever run a double tight scheme with all the other weapons they have at other positions.

When the Eagles drafted wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in the first round and running back LeSean McCoy in the second round this past April, they knew they were getting two players with the potential to add an explosive element to the offense.

What they were unsure of is how quick these rookies would adapt to the higher-paced NFL speed of play while learning a new, complex offensive scheme.

If mini-camp, training camp, and the first two preseason games are any indication, these two playmakers will make instant contributions on field this season.

McCoy, seemingly a Brian Westbrook clone, has shown a combination of shiftiness and power running styles as well as the pass-catching ability that makes Westbrook such a dual threat out of the backfield.

Perhaps most important, and seldom seen so quickly from a rookie, has been McCoy’s blitz-pickup and blocking ability. He has shown not only willingness, but a capability, of stonewalling opposing defenders attempting to get to the quarterback.

It is clear he will be the backup to Westbrook, and in the event of injury, he can capably step in as the starter.

Maclin, projected by some to be a top ten overall pick, fell to 19th overall. Much like sophomore wide-out DeSean Jackson, speed is Maclin’s game and he demonstrated it with several catch and run receptions in the first preseason game this summer.

While he remains a work in progress on special teams in terms of kickoff and punt returns, his field stretching ability gives the Eagles multiple down field threats that opposing teams have to worry about at all times.

How the Eagles implement Maclin in this offense is something that many Eagles fans are eager to find out.

Perhaps overshadowed by Maclin and McCoy has been the impressive preseasons being had by other rookies:

Rookie safety Macho Harris has been pushing Quintin Demps for the starting spot, even getting some first team reps in practice. It will be interesting to see how both play in the final two preseason games.

While wide receiver seems set with DeSean Jackson, Maclin, Jason Avant and Kevin Curtis locks plus Reggie Brown and Hank Baskett decent bets to make the squad, rookie sixth-round pick Brandon Gibson has impressed with his hands and special teams play and scored a touchdown already this preseason.

At the very least he will be a practice squad player barring any surprises or getting picked up by another team.

Tight ends Rob Myers and Eugene Bright are in contention for a roster spot, with Myers the heavy favorite at this point.

Linebacker Moises Fokou is in the picture for a backup linebacking spot after a strong preseason, competing with veteran Matt Wilhelm, formerly of the San Diego Chargers, as well as Tank Daniels and Tracy White.

Offensive lineman Fenuki Tupou and Paul Fanaika and safety Reshard Langford have worked hard on a deep and talented team and figure to be considered for the practice squad with the possibility of moving up with injury.

This past offseason, the Eagles revamped their offensive line, choosing not to bring back perennial book end tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas and instead opting to acquire former pro-bowl tackle Jason Peters from Buffalo and guard Stacy Andrews from Cincinnati.

Combining them with center Jamaal Jackson and guard Todd Herremans, plus getting all-pro guard Shawn Andrews back from injury and moving him to tackle was expected to give Philadelphia the best offensive line in the NFL.

Things haven’t gone exactly as planned as the entire unit has yet to play together, either in a game or practice.

Peters, an elite tackle when healthy, has been bothered by a quadriceps strain throughout the preseason, missing an extended amount of practice time. He is, however, improving and expected to play on Thursday.

Stacy Andrews, brother of Shawn, has been continuing to rehab his surgically repaired knee, which suffered an ACL tear in December of last season. He has missed a large part of the preseason, but has built up his knee and is also expected to play against Jacksonville.

Herremans, who was involved in an off the field incident with defensive end Juqua Parker at the beginning of preseason, has a stress fracture in his foot and is expected to miss the remaining preseason games and practice. The Eagles hope he will be ready to go for the season opener against Carolina.

Shawn Andrews, arguably the most talented of the bunch, is perhaps the most disconcerting as well. He has not suited up for a single practice or game as he battles lingering back problems.

The full extent or even exact injury remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, although Andrews has started running and is expected to resume drills soon.

While the Eagles are preparing to open the season with Winston Justice at tackle, Andrews himself remains convinced that he will ready for the opener and plans on “kicking some butt”.

A corollary to the previous surprise, the young offensive line backups have made significant improvements as they have been forced to step up their games and handle first-team responsibilities with 4/5ths of the starters battling injuries throughout preseason.

With center Jamaal Jackson the only truly healthy starter, backups Nick Cole, Max Jean-Gilles, Winston Justice, and King Dunlap have assumed the first team roles for the time being.

Cole, arguably the best backup on the team, is versatile in that he can play center, guard and even moonlights as goal line fullback for the Eagles.

This preseason he has seen a majority of his snaps at left guard, filling in for Todd Herremans, while Max-Jean Gilles mans the right guard position. Jean-Gilles, who played well last season before an injury prematurely ended his season, has proved he can play a physical, nasty style of guard.

Winston Justice, long considered a bust for much of his career after being a highly touted college prospect out of USC in 2006, has rebounded in a make-or-break preseason, establishing himself as the top backup at tackle.

While he still won’t trick anyone into thinking he is the pro-bowl caliber tackle his potential once seemed to imply, he has come a long way from that horrendous showing against the Giants in which Osi Umenyiora famously lit Justice up to the tune of six sacks in one game.

Part of the reason for his improvement has been the shift back to the right side, where he played in college, as opposed to the left tackle position he played his first three seasons in the NFL.

Dunlap, a massive human being at 6’8, 310 pounds, has a huge wingspan has improved tremendously since being a seventh round pick.

Against the Colts, while Dwight Freeney beat Dunlap for a sack that resulted in a Donovan McNabb fumble, the rest of the game was a solid battle in which Dunlap held his own against one of the best ends in the game.

Rounding out the O-Line position includes second year player Mike McGlynn, who saw limited time last season but can play both center and guard and seems to have the edge for the potential last spot if the Eagles keep 10 offensive linemen over the likes of Fenuki Topou, Chris Patrick, Mike Gibson, Dallas Reynolds, and Paul Fanaika.

Losing defensive leader and play-caller Stewart Bradley to a season-ending knee injury was a shocking and devastating blow to Philadelphia’s defense.

A 260 pound, sideline to sideline playmaker that plays well against both the run and the pass, many predicted big things for Bradley in 2009, after he took over and commanded the Eagles defense last season.

Without him, the Eagles are left a little light at middle linebacker, especially considering the status of the strong and weak side linebacker positions as well.

Chris Gocong, the strong side starter, is still working on his pass coverage after being exclusively a pass rusher in college and then missing his rookie season to injury.

While he played okay last season, he is still far from a proven, reliable, every down linebacker. Akeem Jordan, who worked his way up from special teams demon to supplanting former starter Omar Gaither on the weak side, is not a fully known commodity either.

Gaither, the former starter both in the middle and on the weak side, is now competing not only with Jordan for the outside position, but with second year player Joe Mays for the middle spot.

Mays, a sixth round pick last season, is a strong, physical tackling machine who is strong against the run. Playing the pass, however, is Gaither’s strong suit.

Mays didn’t play at all last season, dressing for only two games, whereas Gaither has 26 career starts, but lost his job for the final six games last season to Jordan.

So far, the Eagles have been going with Mays in the middle and bringing in Gaither alongside Jordan in nickel situations.

That strategy seems to best optimize each players’ strengths, with Gaither and Jordan strongest against the pass, and Gocong and Mays strongest against the run.

Matt Wilhelm was signed after Bradley’s injury, but hasn’t shown enough to warrant being in the picture for a starting spot.

He is in the midst of a roster spot battle with fellow linebackers Tracy White, Tank Daniels, Moises Fokou and Charleston Hughes. Only one, maybe two, will make the team.

In one of the most surprising moves, not only for the Eagles, but for all the NFL, Philadelphia signed maligned quarterback Michael Vick, fresh off his 23 month federal prison sentence for illegal dog-fighting.

In terms of his troubles with the law, Vick did his time in prison, is currently in bankruptcy court, and lost countless millions for his actions, which were repulsive.

However, the Eagles giving Vick a chance is a good thing. So far, the man has appeared to be remorseful and to follow the stipulations put forth by Commissioner Roger Goodell as the one-time pro-bowler works towards his full re-instatement to the NFL.

Football wise, Vick’s impact is enormous. An unquestioned athletic specimen, Vick will, at the very minimum, force opposing defensive coordinators to spend extra hours of the week preparing to defend Vick should he get on the field.

Teams have to practice covering the increasingly popular Wildcat offensive that could be the perfect way to employ and feature an explosive dual-threat of which Vick is the epitome.

Think of the nightmares other teams’ defenses are having imagining Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy all on the field at the same time. How do you defend that many dynamic options?

As far as quarterback controversy, there is none. Donovan McNabb himself lobbied to bring Vick in, and the two have quickly become workout partners. The only players whose roster spots this affects are Kevin Kolb and AJ Feeley.

Kolb, out with a sprained knee, is a former second round pick who many within the organization feel has a great future.

Feeley, a nine year veteran with starting experience, has had perhaps the best preseason of his career and knows the system in and out, having spent two separate tenures with the franchise.

With Vick’s debut coming tonight against Jacksonville, everyone is excited to see how the Eagles plan on using him, and how he performs in that role.

Regarded as one of the premier defensive coordinators for the last decade, Jim Johnson’s unforeseen passing at the hands of the deadly melanoma on July 28 was a travesty that sent shockwaves throughout the NFL. Just four days prior, secondary coach Sean McDermott had been named the Eagles new defensive coordinator.

Know for his exotic blitz packages and a skill for covertly disguising them, Johnson had over 40 years of coaching experience.

Joining the Eagles in 1999, Johnson had complete reign over the Eagles defense, with head coach Andy Reid known for his offensive acumen.

During his tenure the Eagles won five divisional titles, and reached the Super Bowl once. From 2000-2007, the Eagles D ranked first in sacks, second in 3rd down efficiency, 2nd in red zone touchdown percentage, and fourth in fewest points allowed.

Johnson also led the Eagles to a 34 game stretch in which the defense allowed 21 points or less, the second-best such streak in NFL history, trailing only the 1968-1971 Minnesota Vikings.

The Eagles have had 26 Pro Bowl selections on the defensive side of the ball under Johnson, a list that includes Brian Dawkins, Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, Hugh Douglas, Corey Simon, Jeremiah Trotter, Trent Cole, and Asante Samuel.

McDermott, Johnson’s replacement at the helm of the Eagles defense, has held a variety of positions in his ascent to defensive coordinator since he joined the franchise in 1998.

Starting as a Scouting Administrative Coordinator, McDermott has held the roles of Assistant to the Head Coach (1999-2000), Defensive Assistant/Quality Control Coach (2001), Assistant Defensive Backs Coach (2002-2003), Secondary Coach/Safeties Coach (2004-2006), Linebackers Coach (2007), and Secondary Coach (2008).

A former all-conference selection as a defensive back at the College of William & Mary, McDermott is considered one of the rising coaching talents in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball.

While McDermott seems to have the defense under control, the loss of Jim Johnson will not only be felt within the Eagles organization, but throughout all of the NFL.