The Philadelphia Eagles made their preseason debut against the Oakland Raiders just four days ago and if the play of their starting units is any
indication, the Eagles are back and ready to contend. While the Eagles will
likely only play their starting offense and defense for one or two series, this
should provide a good measuring stick for the Browns.
Eagles Offense
The Eagles pass happy west coast offense appears to be making the shift to a
more run based approach to the game. The primary reason for this shift in
philosophy is the desire to limit the hits taken by quarterback, Donovan McNabb.
Also when you have two outstanding backs in Brian Westbrook and Ryan Moats,
running the ball should be a top priority.
Donovan has shown no signs of last years season ending injury. The ball is
coming out quick and most importantly, he is hitting his targets in stride. He
has a live arm that can truly stretch the field. His ability to buy time with
his legs can frustrate opponents. Donovan will provide an excellent
test for this revamped Browns secondary.
The Browns will likely receive a heavy dose of backup quarterback (and former
Brown) Jeff Garcia. Garcia has neither the arm strength nor the accuracy of
McNabb but he can dishearten opposing defenses with his ability to avoid
pressure by getting outside the pocket and making plays with his legs.
The Eagles enjoy using the RB as the safety valve in the passing game. The
Eagles are very effective in using the running back screen as a potent weapon,
when they spread the field with multiple receivers. The Eagles also appear set
on running everything to the right side.
When it comes to the offensive line, the Eagles support one of the best in
the game, especially along the right side. Veteran right tackle Jon Runyan and
Shawn Andrews can open up the running game with ease. Jon makes very few
mistakes and he is providing tremendous leadership to this line. For those young
tackles out there, watch Jon's use of hands as he is pure textbook in how to
control the defender.
Shawn Andrews is one of the best young guards in the game and a slimmer,
quicker Andrews looks poised to have an outstanding season. Shawn has lost over 50 pounds but he is still
a solid 340 lb
athlete. He has the long arms and quick feet to hold up to the pass rush but
when it comes to run blocking it is hard to find anyone better.
The Eagles receiving corps has endured a great deal of change but the most
intriguing prospect on this roster is undrafted rookie Hank Baskett. Hank is
having a tremendous camp and with veteran Todd Pinkston and second year
sensation Reggie Brown nursing injuries, Hank has made the most of his
opportunity. The 6-4 220 lb receiver has shown
solid hands and the ability to fight the ball away in traffic.
The Eagles also have the weapon everyone forgets about, until he makes the
big play. L.J. Smith hauled in 61 catches last year for nearly 700 yards. L.J. appears to
be much improved in his route running while giving Donovan McNabb the big target
that is willing to go over the middle of the field.
Eagles Defense
Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has to be smiling with what could very well
be the best front four in football. "The Freak", Jevon Kearse is a 3 time pro
bowl defensive end. He is coming off of another solid year in which he led the
team in sacks. The Eagles signed former Saint, Darren Howard in free agency.
Howard is renowned for being an elite sack artist.
The interior of the line should also be improved with the drafting of rookie
Broderick Bunkley. Bunkley was the highlight of this year's NFL combines and
should find himself in the starting lineup before the opening game. The Eagles
used their first round draft choice on this beast of an interior lineman. Next
to Broderick will be Mike Patterson, the Eagles 2005 first round draft choice.
Defensive tackle Mike Patterson is looking to build upon his rookie campaign in
which he led the team in tackles.
The Eagles linebackers may be the weakest unit on this team. Jeremiah Trotter
is a force in the middle against the run or when asked to blitz but when he
drops into coverage, he becomes a liability. Dhani Jones doesn't have many
glaring weaknesses but he is more of a competent linebacker than a play making
linebacker. Matt McCoy may be the surprise of this group as he has sensational
speed that allows him to get to the ball quickly but he will need time to become
comfortable in his new starting role.
The Eagles secondary is as good as it gets in the NFL. Brian Dawkins is
entering his 11th year in the NFL and although he may have slowed a bit, he
makes up for it with experience. Brian is one of the truly elite safeties in the
game today. Alongside Dawkins is free safety Michael Lewis. Lewis has excellent cover skills and is solid in run support.
The corner tandem of Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown are just as talented
as the safeties. Both have solid coverage skills, elite speed and a willingness
to make the open field tackle. Both however lack height and this can be an issue
when covering the larger receivers. They negate the height issues with good
technique and a knack for jamming the receivers close to the line.
Browns Offense
The Browns have weapons everywhere you look on offense but unless this
offensive line finds a way to open up running lanes and also protect quarterback
Charlie Frye, these weapons may not materialize. Losing LeCharles Bentley, the
best center in football is bad enough but when backup center, Bob Hallen,
complains of back problems and leaves the team, you truly have issues. This is
magnified with veteran right tackle Ryan Tucker's absence while he recovers from
knee surgery. The Browns will certainly find out how good this line really is as
they face one of the best defensive lines in football.
With the losses of Bentley and Hallen,
the Browns will turn to former Eagle, Alonzo Ephraim to anchor the middle.
Alonzo is new to the team and no one is certain in just how well he will perform
or whether he has even mastered the playbook enough to make the line calls. If
he struggles, it will be a long night and possibly a long season for the Browns
offense.
Veteran guards Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman are healthy and looking to
improve upon last year's performance. The pair of veterans got off to a great
start last year but hampered with injuries down the stretch, neither finished
out the season with strong performances. Backup guard Atlas Herrion had a great
year in NFLE and has looked very good in camp this year. Keep a close eye on
this virtual unknown when the backups enter the game. Atlas may be the dark
horse surprise of this year's camp.
Left tackle, Kevin Shaffer has not shown any glaring weakness in pass
protection. He has adequate footwork but his hand usage is outstanding. Kevin is
a beast of a run blocker that improves as the game wears on. Look for the Browns
running backs to run a great deal behind Kevin Shaffer, especially when Jerome Harrison is in the game.
The right tackle position is still up for grabs but Nat Dorsey appears to
have the lead. Dorsey must have a great showing. Ryan Tucker will likely be back
by the start of the season but his long term future is in doubt. This is a great
opportunity for Nat to not only showcase his talent
but also to lock down a long term contract as the starting right tackle for the
Browns. Jon Dunn will be the number two behind Dorsey and although Dunn may not
be as good of a pass blocker, he could very well be the best run blocker on this
team.
Quarterback Charlie Frye will likely play the first quarter depending upon
the performance of his offensive line. There isn't a great deal of talent
behind Charlie, so keeping him healthy is the most important thing. Charlie has
put together a solid camp and shown better mechanics than in the past but he
needs to show that he can be the quarterback of the Browns. It will be
interesting to see how he handles the blitzes that Jim Johnson will send at the
second year quarterback.
The battle for the number two quarterback thus far is between Ken Dorsey and
Derek Anderson but depending on this performance, the Browns could look to bring
in a vet to compete. To be honest, Ken would be last on the depth chart behind
Darryl Hackney and Lang Campbell.
Kellen Winslow Jr. will be suiting up Thursday night.
Kellen has done a great deal of
talking and it is now time for him to show the world that he can back up his
comments. Kellen is a tremendous
mismatch against the Eagles linebackers and could have a great deal of success
especially with yards after catch. If Kellen
is drawing safety help, look for Travis Wilson and Joe Jurevicius to have a
great game against the small Eagle corners.
Braylon Edwards is not expected to play. This will give the backups a chance
to not only show their talent but to
earn that all important roster spot.
One of the more intriguing Browns positions is the running back. It is
uncertain if the Browns will look to get starting back Reuben Droughns back into
the flow of carrying the rock or will they look to see what rookie Jerome
Harrison can do against NFL competition. The likely answer is neither. Look for
the Browns to showcase William Green and Lee Suggs as one if not both may become
trade bait as teams like the Eagles are hit with a rash of injuries at the
running back position. The Eagles are thin at running back and the best way to
sell a running back to a team, is to have the trade bait back shred the defense.
Browns Defense
The battle upfront with will go a long way in seeing how far this front seven
of the Browns have come. The Eagles line is big, physical and most of all talented. It will be great to see what kind of
difference Ted Washington has made in the middle and how his demand of the
double team affects the play of Alvin McKinley and Orpheus Roye. The third down
line will be the most intriguing as this will decide the backup spots.
The Browns linebacker corps has endured a tremendous overhaul. This is a
great opportunity for the Browns rookie linebackers to make a statement. With
Chaun Thompson recovering from a leg injury, D'Qwell Jackson will get the start.
D'Qwell has been impressive in camp with thunderous hits but his most impressive
aspect is his ability to play through traffic while finding the football.
D'Qwell can go a long way in locking down his starting role with a good
performance. Also Andra Davis is feeling the heat from rookie Leon Williams.
Andra will either step it up especially in making plays at the line of scrimmage
or he may find himself stepping out of the way for the freakish athletic rookie.
The outside linebackers are Matt Stewart and Willie McGinnest. Willie hasn't
shown any signs of age and appears ready to put together another pro bowl
caliber year. Matt Stewart may not be able to hold down his starting role for
any amount of time with first round draft pick, Kamerion Wimbley showing
improved coverage skills and an unrelenting
pass rush attack. The key for Kamerion is his ability or the lack of ability to
stop the run.
The Browns secondary is poised to have a break out year. Leigh Bodden and
Gary Baxter are two of the best open field tacklers at their position. Both are
solid in coverage with the ability to make plays on the ball. The depth behind
the two starters is thin with injuries to Daylon McCutheon and DeMario Minter.
The backups should get a great deal of playing time and their football careers
may very well depend on this opportunity.
The safety position is hosting one of the most highly contested battles
between Sean Jones and Brodney Pool. It appears as if Sean has a leg up but
Brodney is progressing well and will receive a great deal of playing time. Keep
your eye on backup free safety Justin Hamilton. This kid loves the big hit and
has a knack for reading the eyes of the quarterback. That can be a very
dangerous combination for opposing receivers. Bryan Russell is the incumbent
free safety and it will take a solid showing for anyone to unseat him at the
moment but don't be surprised if Brodney Pool and Justin Hamilton make a hard
push for playing time as well as a starting role.
Special Teams
The best battle in this game is certain to be between two excellent
special teams units. The Eagles have a great long snapper in 12 year veteran
Mike Bartrum while the Browns have one of the best young long snappers in Ryan Pontbriand.
Dennis Northcutt can take it the distance at any time returning punts but the
Eagles have Reno Mahe. Mahe lead the league last year averaging almost 13 yards per return. He
will also likely be returning kickoffs with injuries to both Westbrook and
Perry. Josh Cribbs is becoming a tremendous threat returning kickoffs with a
fearless approach to his return duties.
Phil Dawson and David Akers are two of the best and most consistent kickers
in the game. David has the stronger leg while Phil is Mr. Consistency.
Eagles' punter Dirk Johnson is healthy and seems to have a stronger leg than
before. He has a knack for pinning the ball inside the 20. Browns punter Dave Zastudil may be the best punter in the game today.
Bottom Line
It is only preseason and the one thing all fans should hope for is no
injuries. This is a good test for both teams' starting units. The fun of
preseason is the second and third string players that are giving it everything
they have to make the team. Defenses will likely dominate this game and as a
result it will become a game of field position and special teams play.