Grading the Birds

Welcome back, Norristown Patch readers!

This week, our focus will be on the Eagles’ first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. We'll grade out each position and throw in a few notes.

Insert witty launch mechanism here!

So, That's What A Pass Rush Looks Like?

For the past decade, we've heard over and over again how the Eagles’ defensive line would be throwing "fastballs" at defenses, but more often than not, they looked more like knuckleballs, or even slow-pitched softballs.

Lengthy is the list of failed defensive line draft picks and free agent acquisitions, so fans had every right to hold their applause when the Birds once again revamped their defensive line.

It's time to start a slow clap.

If the first preseason game is any indication of what we'll see this season, then it's certainly going to be a fun ride. Sure, it's a small sample size, but all the way down to the fourth string, the pressure generated by the defense line was tremendous and persistent, generating six sacks and forcing three turnovers.

Let's take a look at how the rest of the team fared.

Offense

QB: A-

Michael Vick looked to be in midseason form, completing 4 of 6 passes for 74 yards and a TD in limited action. Vince Young looked a bit lost, but still went 3 of 5 for 45 yards and also had a nice six-yard scramble to pick up a first down.

Mike Kafka saw the most playing time, going 13 of 19 for 132 yards, though he did have an early pick.

RB: B

McCoy really never got to touch the ball, but rookie Dion Lewis, along with free agent pickup Ronnie Brown, proved to be stable and capable of getting tough yards.

No one really stood out, but no one fumbled or made any big mistakes. 

WR: B+ 

With Jackson, Maclin and Smith unavailable, the group was lead by Jason Avant and Riley Cooper. Avant had a tremendous catch in traffic for a first down, and Cooper had a great leaping catch that helped lead to the team's only touchdown.

Chad Hall also shined, posting up a nearly 100-yard performance. He's not Wes Welker, but he definitely deserves to be on this team.

TE: B+

It was nice to see Celek catching a TD. Hopefully, the team goes back to looking at him as a receiver first and a blocker second. Last season, he played inside quite a bit due to all the offensive line problems, but with the offensive line additions in the offseason, look for Celek to return to his red-zone ways.

Free agent Donald Lee did well, catching three passes for 31 yards.  He'll be a nice second tight end.

O-Line: A

Danny Watkins made his debut and he definitely plays with a mean streak in him. He looked solid by any standards, but exceptional for a rookie.

Overall, the offensive line performed well, opening running lanes and keeping the QBs upright. The Ryan Harris injury is a bit concerning, as no one wants to see turnstile Winston Justice back at right tackle.

Defense

D-Line: A+

This group looks legit.

Six sacks and three forced turnovers was impressive, as was the pass rush generated by the front four.  In many cases, it looked like the defense was blitzing, due to the amount of people on the other side of the ball.  That's never a bad thing.

Cole recorded a sack in limited action and returning players Te'o-Nesheim and Tapp accounted for three more. Babin looked quick off the edge, and Jenkins had a few nice stops against the run.

LB: C-

Like the defensive line, the linebackers are another example of annual hype with minimal performance. Unlike the defensive line, that sentiment still rings true.

Outside of being the younger brother of Green Bay's All-Pro LB, what has Casey Matthews done to deserve half of the hype he's received?

He looked quick off the snap, but he seemed to be out of position more often than not. While that can be corrected, the fact that Matthews couldn't shed blocks is a more pressing concern. He looked small and weak – like a modern version of Mark Simoneau – and the Baltimore o-line steamrolled him every time.

Secondary: A-

This would be a solid "A" if it weren't for Kurt Coleman's broken assignment on the team’s first defensive series.

Nate Allen — a.k.a. the Donovan McNabb pick — looked healthy and fluid in the secondary and when the team went to nickel on the second defensive snap, tears came to every fan's eyes as they got their first glimpse of Asomugha, Samuel and DRC on the field at the same time.

With that consistent pass rush, the secondary could be sending more than a couple of players to the Pro Bowl.

Question: What are your thoughts on the first preseason performance? Do you agree or disagree with our grades? Tell us in the comments!

Notes and Observations

1. The kickoff really needs to go back to the 30 yard line or the NFL needs to get rid of it completely. Right now, it's just a waste of time, as kickers try their best to launch it through the opposing team's uprights.

I did like what the Chicago Bears did in refusing to kick from the 35 yard line. They actually got away with it twice.

2. Steve Smith should be ready to practice around week one of the regular season. In the event that Maclin's illness remains a mystery, Smith's ability to walk right in as a #2 is crucial.

3. Desean Jackson will play in the upcoming game on Thursday and until then, he'll continue to burn everyone on the practice field. He has yet to drop a pass.

4. The Aug. 16 "Fan Appreciation Day" at Lehigh will only be open for the morning session. The afternoon practice has been cancelled and the team will return to the Novacare Complex on Friday.

5. Rob Ryan really needs to shut his mouth.

6. So does Jerry Jones.

Quote of the Week

"Sometimes, you're not going to want to practice, but they [defensive coaches] come out here ready to coach every single day, so we have to be ready to. You can't let your coach have more energy than you do." – Jamar Chaney, to Comcast SportsNet on the Eagles’ new defensive coaches.

Video of the Week

How the mighty have fallen.

Looking Ahead

The Phillies wrapped up an impressive West Coast trip with a 9-1 record and now they'll play a three-game set against the D-Backs before heading to Washington for Pence vs. Werth(less), part two.

The Eagles hit the road on Thursday night to play against the reigning AFC champion Steelers and the Union will head to Ohio to play the Columbus Crew.

Here’s your schedule for the upcoming week in Philadelphia sports:

Monday

• No games

Tuesday

• Phillies vs. Arizona, 7:05 p.m. on PHL17 and MLBN

Wednesday

• Phillies vs. Arizona, 7:05 p.m. on CSN and ESPN

Thursday

• Phillies vs. Arizona, 7:05 p.m. on CSN and MLBN
• Eagles at Steelers, 8 p.m. on Fox

Friday

• Phillies at Nationals, 7:05 p.m. on CSN

Saturday

• Phillies at Nationals, 7:05 p.m. on CSN
• Union vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m. on TCN

Sunday

• Phillies at Nationals, 1:35 p.m. on PHL 17

If you have questions you would like answered in next week's Phour for Phour column, email slavetologic@gmail.com.