EAGLES SHOW PROMISE IN PRESEASON WIN OVER BENGALS
- Al Thompson
- 44 minutes ago
- 5 min read
NFL preseason games are like beauty...it's measured by the eye of the beholder.
To some fans and observers, preseason games are a massive waste of time. Why do we bother with these meaningless contests?
To others, it is time to watch the competition between players trying to fulfill a dream.
The Eagles took on the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field in the first of three games that are meaningless standings-wise, but to a number of players participating, they are the three most important games of their lives.
These games help determine roster spots, starter and backup player status and overall how players react under pressure once the spotlight is on them.
The final score was 34-27, an Eagles win. Joe Burrow started the game for the Bengals and played two series.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback led the visitors to two easy scores against mostly Eagles backups. He left after one quarter and the Bengals leading 14-10.
For the game, Burrow was 9 of 10 for 123 yards and two scores. He was not sacked.
Eagles starter Tanner Mckee looked sharp and left no doubt who the backup is going into the season.
The sixth-round pick out of Stanford – entering his third season – led the Eagles to a 27-14 lead after the first series of the second half.
KcKee finished 20 of 25 for 252 yards, touchdown passes and a QB rating of 135.3.
Here is one person's look at how the players fared for themselves in the preseason opener.
THOSE WHO MADE THEIR CASE
WR Ainias Smith's 46-yard return in the final minute of the first half that set up a Tanner McKee-to-WR Darius Cooper 20-yard TD pass to give the Birds a 24-14 lead at the half.
McKee also hit Smith down the middle for six-yard touchdown pass.
Darius Cooper's 20-yard TD pass looked like a roster-maker, as did his six-catch total for 82 yards.
Johnny Wilson looked terrific making three terrific three catches for 73 yards
Fifth round draft pick Drew Kendall started and played the entire game at center…three quarterbacks.
Drew is the son of Pete Kendall, a long-time NFL offensive lineman.
Kendall said it would not matter what his coaches told him with regard to how much they planned to play him. He prepares for a game in only one way.
“I kind of go into a game with the mindset that I’m going to play the whole time,” the 6-foot-4, 308-pounder out of Boston College said in the Eagles locker room after the game. “And whatever happens, happens.
"That’s always the coaches decision. But I knew I was going to be starting the second half. I really didn’t know past there, but I did have an idea I was would be going deep into the game”
Even though Kendall was around NFL practices and game his who life, he said it was still special to play in an actual NFL game.
“It was really exciting,” Kendall said. :”I was pretty nervous going into the game…my first NFL game. I’m glad I got that under my belt. It was a great experience playing in front of a home crowd…luckily got the win’’’it was a surreal moment.”
Eagles O-line has established a level of play and actual code. Kendall said he was well aware of the Eagles O-line excellence.
“It definitely is,” Kendall said. “You’ve got to live up to the standard they created. Just because [the starters] are not in the game doesn’t mean that the standard drops. We (backups) have to live up to that standard.
"It’s a long NFL season. So the guys behind them have to be ready at all times. I have to be fully prepared. I can’t let anyone down if you know what I mean.”
DEFENSE
Eli Ricks and Jihaad Campbell each dropped sure interceptions on passes thrown by backup Jake Browning. But both showed a nose for the ball and broke up the pass.
Campbell said can’t let plays like that get away from him. “I’ve to take advantage of my opportunities,” the rookie from Alabama said at his locker after game.
Campbell was asked about how far he’s come from teams around the league doubting him after his injury late in his senior season and now that he is playing in a NFL game weeks ahead of schedule. .
“I think that’s in the past,” Campbell said. “Right now I’m a Philadelphia Eagle. That’s all I’m worried about. All I think about is how I can get better each and every day…win football games and just play as a whole.”
Defensive tackle Ty Robinson, the fourth round pick out of Nebraska, started and finished all four quarters registering a tackle for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry.
Was Robinson told he would play the entire game?
“Oh yeah,” the 6-foot-5, 288 pounder said with a bit of a smile. “They told me to get ready to play a full game…so that was the mentality I brought.”
Robinson was asked why he thought the coaches wanted him in for the whole game? Was it because they expect him to play a lot this year? Was it for conditioning purposes?
“I think it was just for the exposure (of an NFL game),” Robinson said. “To just go out there and acclimate to the NFL caliber talent and prove myself to the guys in the room and to the team that I can play.”
Robinson said playing two series against Joe Borrow was a great experience.
“He’s really good, their ones on that side of the ball are really good on offense,” Robinson said. "It’s surreal too. You look over at Joe Burrow and…shit, there’s Joe Burrow back there!
You look around and there’s Ja’Marr Chase…”
And right there he’s in the end zone, right? Robinson laughed. “Right, right, right.”
A NIGHT TO FORGET FOR A LOCAL PRODUCT
Eagles rookie quarterback Kyle McCord cut his quarterback teeth at multiple state champion St. Joe's Prep in Philadelphia.
McCord went on to play for Ohio State for three seasons before transferring to Syracuse for his senior season.
McCord broke multiple single-season all-time program records in his lone season with the Orange.
He was picked in the sixth round by the Birds.
His debut as a pro came at the 11:33 mark of the fourth quarter with the Eagles leading 34-17.
McCord will hopefully will look back on his first drive as a professional and laugh.
The first play was a five-yard false start penalty on tackle Miles Hinton.Joe Giles-Harris
The second play was voided by a 10-yard holding penalty on Hinton.
The third play was a 14-yard run by Keilan Robinson.
The fourth play was an incomplete pass to Robinson.
The fifth play was intended for tight end E.J. Jenkins but was intercepted by Bengals linebacker Joe Giles-Harris who originally ran the pick-off 37 yards for a touchdown.
But upon review, it was ruled Giles-Harris was down by contact.
The Bengals still scored on the turnover, a 51-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.
McCord did complete an eight-yard pass to Giles Jackson.
There will no doubt be better days ahead for McCord. *
Some info taken from wikipedia.com
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com.
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