Philadelphia Eagles' Three and Out: Top Rookie Performers in Three Games
The Philadelphia Eagles advance, or skim by, to have a positive preseason record (2-1) after managing to pull out one of the ugliest victories I've seen in a long time recently over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even though the Eagles went on to win the game with less than thirty seconds to play, there is still so much room for improvement across the board on this young team that I can't begin to get excited about the Eagles winning preseason.
I know the front office is playing with a basic playbook as they do every preseason, they will throw in some trick plays here and there to test the waters, however I don't think anybody was expecting it to be a three point game at the end.
Keeping all of the above in mind, there have been some rookies who have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty, some who opened some eyes but need to keep at it to make the team, and others who, well that's another day.
Lets go ahead and give the players who've stepped up the respect they deserve at this point.
No. 5: QB Mike Kafka
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His biggest knock coming into the draft is that his technique was far from desirable, however through three preseason games fourth round draft pick (122 overall) QB Mike Kafka has quietly been silencing his critics.
By no means I'm I sitting here saying Kafka looks like a polished QB and he has been playing against third string defenses, however when he has been in the game he looks relatively comfortable in the pocket, a quick release, and nice arm strength.
He has shown the fans and the front offices two different players. First the guy who showed up to play the Bengals, threw two INTs, and ended the game with a passer rating of 2.8 percent. Then we have seen the guy versus the Chiefs who throws a beautiful game winning TD to WR Riley Cooper and ends the game with a rating of 115.2 percent (per NFL.com).
Consistency seems to be his biggest issue up to this point so lets see if he can get that corrected.
Many believe that he is going to be Kevin Kolb's backup after this season so he will need to show improvement in that department but he has shown us some promising things and he is definitely focused, just get the little things corrected and he can be a solid contributor.
No. 4: CB Trevard Lindley
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Fourth round draft pick CB Trevard Lindley has been performing at a higher level than expected, which with the departure of veteran Sheldon Brown and Ellis Hobbs not quite were he should be, Lindley's focus and determination has been stellar so far in three preseason games.
In last week matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Lindley recorded his first NFL interception on QB Matt Cassell and returned it eight yards before getting tackled by Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki who the pass was intended for.
Beyond that, Lindley has recorded four tackles (three solo, one assist) and two defended passes in the limited playing time he has seen.
Joselio Hanson already has his hands full with Dimitri Patterson showing up ready to play and if Lindley shows up yet again in the final preseason game, Hanson could very well be bumped down a few spots on the Eagles depth chart.
No. 3: FS Nate Allen
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Yes, rookie free safety Nate Allen got ran over in the Cincinnati Bengals game by RB Cedric Benson but Allen has been getting the job done for the most part showing blazing speed and a solid sense of the position.
His open field tackling isn't anything to worry about, his coverage skills are good he just needs to adjust to the speed of the NFL, and he has been a fantastic in the box type player getting pressure on the QB.
It is not an easy task by any means, being a starting safety in this league. You're asked to basically be the QB on defense knowing where every player is at all times—it is very easy to get lost. That is why they paid the big bucks ladies and gentlemen, not to get lost in it all.
We've seen a little bit of what Allen is capable of and as mentioned he's been doing fine so far, but he needs to really dig into that playbook and try to become so familiar with it he knows it like the back of his hand.
New DB coach Dick Jauron also needs to really focus on getting Allen up to speed to solidify the safety position.
It isn't a long road for Nate Allen, but it will be a bumpy one at the very least!
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No. 2: DE Brandon Graham
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First round draft pick defensive end Brandon Graham has been impressive up to this point notching seven tackles and his first NFL sack on veteran QB Carson Palmer in the second preseason game.
Graham has put on display that high motor that we all keep hearing about putting pressure on the QBs on a very consistent basis. He's about a half of a second to late in most cases or else his sack total would already be around one per game (average) so that is a minor thing he could work on.
Overall though, Brandon has been on point and the simple fact that he is applying pressure on the QB is going to open up a whole new world to Trent Cole.
The potential that these two players have being on the same line is absolutely there but you will know there is something special when you see them both hitting the QB at the same time—it WILL be a beautiful thing!
No. 1 Gem of The Draft: WR Riley Cooper
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Clutch— that is the word I'm choosing to describe how rookie WR Riley Cooper has been playing so far. In each of the three preseason games, Cooper has been at the top of the receiving list quickly becoming a favorite target of all three of the Eagles QBs.
He's also becoming a fan favorite in Philadelphia very quickly also!
Since showing up at Lehigh, Cooper has caught nearly everything thrown his way, displayed exceptional speed for his size, and his route running has been on point for the most part also.
He has already bumped veteran Hank Baskett down a roster spot and if he continues to emerge as he has been, he could actually split time with Jason Avant.
He is bigger than most players defending him and he knows it, expect a fierce mentality from him when he is on the field because he could become another one of the players you simply can't cover one on one. If you can't leave a teams third or fourth option on single coverage, forget about it, everybodys' game will elevate!
He has already notched eight receptions for 122 yards and a game winning touchdown with less than thirty seconds to play which leads us right back to the very first word of the slide—clutch!
Keep it up Cooper!
Note Worthy Players: Opening Some Eyes
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This slide is simply just a list of players who have done some nice things at their respective positions and have a solid chance of making the team, or at the very least make the practice squad in order for them to play at the level needed to cut it in the NFL.
There is no order to the list, it is what it is—just a list!
- Free Safety Kurt Coleman/Ohio State
- Linebacker Keenan Clayton/Oklahoma
- Offensive Tackle Austin Howard/Northern Iowa
- Defensive Tackle Jeff Owens/Georgia
- Defensive End Eric Moncur/Miami (Fla.)
Welcome Back!
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Many seem to forget the importance of having a solid offensive line who have a built in chemistry with each other. After the Eagles first three preseason games, I believe we are beginning to understand again.
There are mixed feelings about how the O-line has been holding up thus far, some say they have been doing good, others say just so so, while the rest of the fans are quickly losing finger nails when it comes to the thought of who might line up.
While Jamaal Jackson's availability is still up in the air in regards to his return date, he is ahead of schedule according to reports. There is a chance, albeit a slim one, that he could be ready for the start of the 2010 regular season, when the Eagles host the Green Bay Packers in week one.
Todd Herremans is the second sight for sore eyes on the the Eagles offensive line.
Since his return for the third preseason game vs the Chiefs, the right side of the line have been relatively stable in terms of protecting QB Kevin Kolb, however RT Jason Peters is making stupid mistakes on a consistent basis so far in the preseason being the culprit for multiple false starts—twice last week!
Still, the return of Herremans and Jackson are highly welcomed!
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