Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Players That Need to Bounce Back Against the Ravens

The Philadelphia Eagles were fortunate to squeak out a 17-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, taking advantage of brutal performances by rookies Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson.

The Eagles weren’t helped by a poor offensive showing, not only by quarterback Michael Vick but also by the offensive line. The team was sloppy, committing 12 penalties for a whopping 110 yards. They will need to be much sharper in all aspects of the game to beat the Baltimore Ravens, a talented team coming off a shellacking of the Cincinnati Bengals.

5. Danny Watkins

The Philadelphia Eagles spent a first round pick on guard Danny Watkins in the 2011 NFL draft, but they have yet to reap the benefits.

Watkins struggled to find consistency in his 12 starts as a rookie and he looked overmatched in his Week 1 start against the Cleveland Browns. He was penalized twice, gave up a quarterback hit and was directly responsible for allowing three quarterback pressures.

4. Alex Henery

As a rookie in 2011, Al­ex Henery was surprisingly good, setting a single-season franchise record for field goal accuracy, although he did gain a reputation as a kicker that couldn’t convert a clutch field goal.

Henery made a 42 yard field goal early in the game but then missed a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. That is one that he absolutely has to make if he wants to keep his job.

3. Evan Mathis

Last year, Evan Mathis had an All-Pro caliber season, excelling as both a pass blocker and a run blocker while thriving in the team’s left guard role next to Jason Peters.

Now that Peters is out for the season with an achilles injury, Mathis really looked overwhelmed against the Cleveland Browns. He was penalized twice and gave up a quarterback hit and two pressures, which may have been a cause for Michael Vick’s less-than-stellar passing performance.

2. Todd Herremans

Todd Herremans certainly didn’t have the kind of game the Philadelphia Eagles hoped he would give them in Week 1. It was especially disappointing because he’s the veteran of the Eagles’ offensive line and they’re going to need more stability out of him.

Herremans didn’t give up a sack, but he was charged with yielding four quarterback hits and three quarterback pressures.

1. Michael Vick

For the first quarter of the season, Michael Vick looked sensational, completing his first six pass attempts for 53 yards, plus a 16-yard run on a key third-and-16.

Vick really regressed after that, though. His offensive line didn’t help him out and he threw four interceptions and nearly added a fifth on the final drive of the game, one that would have sealed a Philadelphia Eagles’ loss. He did come through with a late touchdown pass to Clay Harbor that gave the Eagles a narrow win, but a passer rating in the low fifties is not what you want from a $100 million quarterback.