Philadelphia Eagles: What We've Learned Through Week 2 of Preseason
As the Philadelphia Eagles head to Green Bay for their "dress rehearsal" against the Packers, it's time once again to look back and see what we've already learned two weeks into the preseason.
The third exhibition game is often viewed as the most critical, as starters typically see the most action in this game than any other week in the preseason. Many won't even see the field in the fourth and final preseason game, so it will be our last opportunity to evaluate many key players.
But with two games down, we do have a lot of film on those guys, in addition to quite a bit on reserves and those just fighting for roster spots, as well. As we go through our notes from the past week and the summer in general, we have a nice mix here of high-profile starters and contributors, as well as a look at some developments toward the back end of the roster.
Of course, after the Eagles' third preseason game, we could have a much clearer sense of the direction this club is heading in 2015. That being said, what have you already learned so far?
Sam Bradford Is OK
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There's no way of knowing whether Sam Bradford will survive a 16-game season, and it's too soon to anoint him the Eagles franchise quarterback. But after making his 2015 debut against the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday, it's safe to say Bradford is OK.
OK as in he looked pretty good and OK as in he's healthy.
Bradford wasn't his sharpest, which is to be expected. He overthrew Riley Cooper deep on his first pass of the game, a sure touchdown that would've been called back due to a holding penalty anyway. Later, he hesitated before delivering the ball high to Nelson Agholor for another incomplete. That being said, Bradford completed 3-of-5 passes for 35 yards, leading a touchdown drive on his only series in the process.
However, perhaps the most comforting sign was watching Bradford get up after two big shots from Ravens defenders. Terrell Suggs barreled right into the signal-caller's twice-repaired ACL. A few plays later, 335-pound Brandon Williams absolutely steamrolled him. Bradford was shaken up but stayed in the game and eventually exited under his own power.
It's soon time to stop worrying and start getting excited. Bradford has looked fine all summer. The Eagles could be poised for big things with him at the helm.
Secondary Has Improved
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It's only been two preseason games. The starters have had just a handful of series. The sample size is impossibly small. Opposing offenses aren't even game-planning.
Then again, compared to last season, the Eagles secondary has looked night and day better, whether it's been starters or backups. The first-team unit, however, has yet to surrender a touchdown or even allow a completion of 20 yards or more during the preseason. In all, quarterbacks are completing 54.1 percent of their passes for 4.5 yards per attempt with four interceptions against Philadelphia.
The most promising aspect is the fact that defensive backs aren't getting burned down the field continuously. In 2014, the Eagles surrendered the most completions of 20 and 40 yards, including a whopping 18 catches of 40 or more. Those are backbreakers.
The Eagles are confident they've corrected that problem, signing Byron Maxwell, promoting Nolan Carroll to starter and adding second-round draft pick Eric Rowe at cornerback, while also transitioning Walter Thurmond to safety. So far, so good.
Darren Sproles Could Be Unstoppable
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With DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews now in Philadelphia, it appears Darren Sproles could go back to doing what he does best—catching footballs.
In Saturday's game against the Ravens, the Eagles gave us a glimpse of Sproles' new role, lining up the running back as a slot receiver. On one third-down play, Sproles came in motion across the offense, then settled in behind a well-executed pick by wideout Jordan Matthews to convert an easy first down. There is literally no defending that.
There is little defending Sproles in coverage, period. Even if you put a body on him, who can cover him? Linebackers, and even safeties, are often too stiff to keep up with Sproles' sudden change of direction. The problem is, when he's on the field, there's no telling where he'll be lined up, making it difficult to decide which defensive personnel should be on the field to match.
Last season, the Eagles used Sproles as more of a ball-carrier because depth at running back was slim. Now it appears this dynamic player and all of his capabilities will be let loose on defenses, and in head coach Chip Kelly's prolific offense, no less. Watch out.
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No. 4 RB Battle Heating Up
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As if the Eagles weren't deep enough at running back, there is a compelling battle going on that may force Kelly to carry four on his 53-man roster.
Kenjon Barner has garnered the most attention. The former Oregon Duck and sixth-round pick has punt returns for touchdowns in each of the Eagles' two games, going on jaunts of 92 and 68 yards. Barner also has a nine-yard touchdown run this preseason.
But don't sleep on dark horse Raheem Mostert, either. All the undrafted rookie out of Purdue has done is rack up 175 yards of total offense to lead the team this summer. Mostert was also on the field on each of Barner's returns, actually setting the final block to free the 92-yard return against the Indianapolis Colts.
Barner is the more well-known of the two, and his returns have been highlight-reel material. However, with Sproles, Nelson Agholor and a host of other players able to return kicks, does Barner have as much value as Mostert, who plays on the coverage units? Mostert is also bigger, younger and faster, and he may have more upside overall.
It's an interesting competition, but one of the two could at least wind up on the practice squad if the Eagles don't keep four backs on the team. So far, the latter seems more likely.
Jerome Couplin in Mix at Safety
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Don't forget Jerome Couplin. The Eagles certainly haven't. In their quest to unearth some depth behind Thurmond and Malcolm Jenkins at safety, Couplin may just turn out to be the answer.
Couplin wound up missing some time, including the first preseason game, after undergoing an appendectomy. That seemed to cause the second-year defensive back out of William & Mary to lose some ground after Chris Prosinski and Ed Reynolds turned in solid performances, the latter of whom recorded two interceptions.
But Couplin was back on the field for joint practices against the Ravens, at one point rotating in with starters Jenkins and Thurmond. Couplin also saw a ton of action with Reynolds in the game that followed, finishing second on the team with five tackles, including a key stop on 3rd-and-1 by the goal line.
Couplin has been a prospect of intrigue ever since he arrived from the Detroit Lions practice squad last December. His measureables are off the chart—6'2", 215 pounds with 4.5 speed, a 41.5-inch vertical and astounding 81-inch wingspan, according to CSNPhilly.com. The Eagles thought enough of Couplin to stash him on their 53-man roster at the end of the season, so you can bet they're taking a very close look now.
Camp observations are the author's.
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