The rollercoaster of a preseason ended on an upswing for all units of the Eagles’ first team. However the same cannot be said for the Browns, who struggled in what was supposed to be their dress rehearsal.
Michael Vick was better than last week against Pittsburgh, although he was unable to find any targets downfield and instead was forced into check downs. Colt McCoy, meanwhile, couldn’t carry over the form from the previous two games, as he looked off all night. It should be noted he was without receiver Mohammad Massaquoi.
In the end the Eagles came out 24-14 winners but as with all preseason games, it’s the performances, and not the result, that counts.
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Cleveland Browns – three things of note
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● With LG Eric Steinbach sidelined due to injury, rookie Jason Pinkston got a chance in his stead. While he was impressive in the run game, he struggled mightily in pass protection. Pinkston flashed his potential on the first run of the game, sealing the DT inside on a run through the B-gap to the left and was good in the ground game the rest of the way. Unfortunately, he was beat up a number of times in pass protection. He allowed a sack early in the game and had particular trouble picking up stunts. Overall, his run blocking should be cause for encouragement for Browns fans, especially considering he was a fifth round pick.
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● First round pick Phil Taylor had a much better performance than his teammate drafted a round later, Jabal Sheard. Taylor was a terror early on, generating a sack (and forced fumble) to go with a hit and a pressure. Sheard on the other hand was stone-walled throughout the game. He failed to generate any pressure on 13 plays (more than Taylor’s 12). Sheard also looked a little weak in the run game while Taylor was solid. The latter draft pick drew a holding penalty in the first quarter when he was his battle against rookie center Jason Kelce.
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● It will be interesting to see how MLB D’Qwell Jackson fares in the new system. He looked good against the run, taking on the FB on one occasion and then getting in on the stop. Jackson also made a key play in the second quarter shooting the A-gap on 3rd-and-2 bringing LeSean McCoy down for a loss. His only target in pass coverage went for a decent gain, as he couldn’t stick to McCoy in the open field.
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Philadelphia Eagles – three things of note
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● We were slightly confused when rookie sixth rounder Kelce as given the start ahead of Jamal Jackson and we’re even more so now. Kelce actually did well in the running game, highlighted by his block on the Ronnie Brown touchdown run, but there were too many breakdowns in pass protection. In the end he allowed a sack and two pressures on just over 20 passes. Alongside him rookie Danny Watkins wasn’t much better. He looked confused on multiple occasions allowing rushers to come free. He also failed to sustain blocks long enough despite getting into good position initially. Rounding out the right side is King Dunlap who showed well; not giving up any pressure on 18 plays.
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● After a difficult time in Pittsburgh, the Eagles' linebackers needed to play better. Casey Matthews still struggles when linemen get their hands on him, as shown by the first run of the game, but he did much better diagnosing plays and reacting to them than a week ago. Strongside linebacker Jamar Chaney had a nice day too, especially in coverage. He batted down two balls and forced another incompletion by delivering a big hit. Another rookie sixth rounder, Brian Rolle, got a chance in the nickel in place of Matthews. Despite being only 5’9″, he showed nice aggression against the run. On two running plays he was able to get off blocks and help bring down the ball carrier. He only gave up a couple of short passes underneath in coverage.
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● The linebackers weren’t the only problem in Pittsburgh as the safeties struggled too. 2010 second rounder Nate Allen was given a rest and Jarrad Page came in to replace him. Page didn’t see a lot of action come his way but he was beaten deep down the sideline for a long gain only to be saved by a drop by the tight end. The only other pass into his coverage was complete for 8 yards on 3rd-and-7. Kurt Coleman was more impressive however. He diagnoses the run well and got in on a couple of plays. He also made a few nice open field tackles on receivers.
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The Browns starters simply got outplayed in this one. It wasn’t just the Eagles' offense and defense that showed up but their special teams also recovered a muffed punt and blocked a field goal. Still Peyton Hillis, the Browns best offensive weapon, was used only sparingly because he was nursing an injury. With him back, Cleveland’s offense should be a lot more potent.
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