Posted: August 19th, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | No Comments »
I was traveling over the weekend and didn’t get a chance to study the game. Here are some quick notes on what I saw, good and bad. Mostly good, though.
QB
I was not impressed with Kenny Pickett when I watched live. I wasn’t impressed on the rewatch either, but I do think we need to point out Pickett was mostly playing behind the #3 OL against the starting DL for the Pats. They got pressure on him over and over. He did not handle it well. You could see that he was focusing on the rush too much. Tanner McKee came in and had to deal with pressure as well. He handled it a lot better. The best things I can say about Pickett are that he’s got good mobility and that he is accurate with his short throws, allowing receivers to have the chance for RAC yards.
McKee just looks different. He’s confident and in command. He’s aggressive. He makes accurate throws and will give his guys chances to make catches down the field.
Will Grier did a nice job. Think of him as a poor man’s Gardner Minshew.
RB
Will Shipley had a screen pass that went for 19 yards. That was impressive. He moved through traffic and got upfield. He was 5-15 as a runner. Tyrion Davis-Price impressed me once again. He was 4-28, with a long run of 13 yards. His vision and footwork separate him from the other backups. I don’t think he’ll make the roster, but he is the #4 RB for me.
Nice catch-and-run by Will Shipley on 2nd & 22. Gain of 19.
Dylan McMahon pic.twitter.com/msU6k4PiLN
— DIE-HARD REALTOR® (@Eaglesfans9) August 15, 2024
WR
Joe Ngata was 5-88, including a 28-yd catch. I liked his ability to play through contact and make tough catches. He doesn’t get separation (he didn’t get separation at Clemson either), but he is able to overcome that through his physicality and strong hands. He did get called for OPI on one play.
None of the other receivers really stood out. John Ross had one good catch over the middle for 9 yds. Austin Watkins went 3-28.
TE
EJ Jenkins played his best game as an Eagle. He was 5-47, with a long of 19. And that was a highlight catch.
Grier to Jenkins so nice gunna watch this *at least* twice pic.twitter.com/MLUTTiZVLp
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 16, 2024
Jenkins was solid as a blocker. Good effort. He had an impressive chip block where he got a good shot on the DE. His run blocking still needs work. Sloppy technique. He can be too upright at times. Jenkins is still a project, but you can see his agility and athleticism. I think he’s the kind of #3 TE you take a chance on.
OL
Dylan McMahon played most of the game at center and had a good showing. He is agile. Good snaps. He did a good job on combo blocks. He needs to anchor better at times in pass pro. He had a good block on Shipley’s screen. I think he is a better backup center than Brett Toth.
Trevor Keegan had a solid showing. He was overwhelmed on a few plays. Keion White slid inside on some passes and Keegan couldn’t handle his quickness. Keegan played the whole game at LG. This is a compliment from the coaching staff. They trust him enough to leave him out there and want to see what he can do. The additional reps help him to get ready in case he’s needed this season.
Max Scharping was overwhelmed by White and other starting DL.
Darian Kinnard played 56 snaps. He had another solid showing. He pulled to the left and had a good block on the move. He was mostly good in pass pro, but still needs to get better at using his arms to engage and control rushers.
DL
Moro Ojomo had a really good game. He wasn’t credited with any tackles, but he was disruptive over and over. Ojomo was able to get pressure on the QB. He held his ground on runs that came at him. He got off blocks and was disruptive in the backfield. He might be the #4 DL for the Eagles right now. Marlon Tuipulotu has more experience and was solid in the game, but Ojomo was more impressive.
4) Ojomo & Huff again I’m like a proud father watching Ojomo ball out. Look at the strength here! I know it’s only a TE but it’s excellent to see Huff looking strong against the run too. I give huge credit to Bradberry for attempting this transition. You gotta give it to him,… pic.twitter.com/B34M6sY2OY
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) August 19, 2024
PJ Mustipher had 3 tackles and a TFL. He played the run well. He’s able to take on blocks and hold his ground. Mustipher doesn’t do much as a pass rusher, but he can use his power to push the pocket at times. He has a shot at the roster, but might be more of a practice squad guy right now.
Thomas Booker had a strong showing. He had 3 tackles, a sack and a QB hit. Booker is quick off the ball and has good feet. He is able to get around blockers and into the backfield. I thought he also did a good job against the run. I think he’s shown enough that he has a good chance to make the team. Vic Fangio needs 5 DL and I think he wants more than that for depth.
The Eagles roll out a penny front against 12 personnel from the Patriots. Thomas Booker has (#59) has a really nice shed of the RT to disrupt the run but Bryce Huff has a rough rep against the TE 1 on 1. pic.twitter.com/tRAaY8kkgN
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) August 19, 2024
Rookie Gabe Hall played well. He took on a double-team and held his ground on a run play. Drake Maye got flushed on a pass play and Hall chased him out wide. He showed good athleticism on that play. Hall showed some pass rush ability. I don’t think he’s good enough for the roster, but that was an encouraging performance. Hall looks worth developing.
Edge
Bryce Huff only played 10 snaps, but he had 3 tackles. He was active and disruptive. He hustled and made pursuit plays. I thought he was solid against the run. Fangio should be happy with the progress Huff is showing as a complete player.
Jalyx Hunt had a good game. He had 3 tackles and a QB hit. He got pressure on Maddox’s INT. I’m impressed with Hunt’s discipline. He’s not just chasing the QB. He is reading plays and attacking under control. He’s not as raw as I expected.
Nolan Smith had a sack. He got chip-blocked and that shook him free from the OT. He then had an open path to the QB. There was a pass play where Smith ignored the run fake and went for the QB as he should have. Unfortunately Smith hit the QB head-to-head and drew a flag. Smith has flashed, but he’s not stood out as much as expected for a Year 2 guy.
LB
Devin White played 12 snaps and had 1 tackle. He looked good. Zack Baun played 15 snaps. He played better than last week. He had 2 tackles. He got to the ball and tackled well. He was smart and aggressive. That’s the Baun that Fangio expected to see.
Nakobe Dean had a terrific game. He led the team with 5 tackles. I was most impressed with his vision. Dean found the ball quickly and then got to it. He was good in space and in traffic. He made an impressive tackle out wide on a quick screen. He also had the play of the game. Dean blitzed and had to fight past the RB to pressure the passer. The ball got thrown and Dean turned and chased the play. He ended up making the tackle downfield. That is maximum effort. That is great defense.
Look at how much ground Nakobe Dean covers to make this tackle. pic.twitter.com/AXuelfkBRU
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) August 16, 2024
Jeremiah Trotter Jr only had 1 tackle, but he played well. He’s confident and aggressive. Some rookies look overwhelmed. Trotter looks ready to roll. He did have one bad play. There was a screen where he got caught looking at the QB and that turned into a gain of 23.
SAF
Avonte Maddox picked off a pass in the end zone. That was a savvy veteran play. He doesn’t have ideal range on downfield throws. Maddox makes pretty good reads, but doesn’t have the top speed to get to the ball early. James Bradberry was okay. He had a pair of tackles and played the run pretty well. He did get burned on the read-option that went for a TD. Bradberry got beaten by a TE for a catch down the field. Tristin McCollum remains inconsistent as a tackler. He must do a better job of wrapping up.
CB
Kelee Ringo got targeted a few times. He was up and down.
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