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The Eagles 2010 Training Camp has concluded, and it had a much different feel then in years past. Many long-standing veterans were no longer around, and the new face of the franchise emerged. Overall, it seemed that Andy Reid and his staff were happy with the outcome of this year’s camp.
Here are five things I learned from this year’s Training Camp.
1. Kevin Kolb Is Going to Be Just Fine
The Kevin Kolb era officially begun at Lehigh University this year, and all eyes were on the young quarterback. He has big shoes to fill and faces high expectations.
What we saw out of Kolb this year in Lehigh is exactly what we expected. Kolb has a great understanding of the offense, maintains a lot of poise on the field, and delivers the ball with pinpoint accuracy. I think we may have seen a few instances in the Jaguars game of the “growing pains” everyone is expecting. However, I have a good feeling that there will be more ups than downs with Kolb.
It’s still early and you can debate the kid’s abilities as much as you want, but I believe Kevin Kolb is going to be just fine.
2. The 2010 Draft Class Wasn’t Just Big, It Was Good
The Eagles went into draft weekend with a lot of picks and I expected them to trade up often to go after some big name players. This didn’t exactly seem to be the strategy the Eagles used. When the weekend past, I was left wondering why they did what they did. However, it looks like a good number of their 13 draft picks have a legitimate shot at playing in 2010.
You already have Nate Allen as a starter. Brandon Graham will be a starter by the beginning of the season. If he’s not listed as a starter by then, he will still see more time than any other end besides Trent Cole. I expect to see Daniel Te’o-Nesheim see significant time, both secondary picks; Trevard Lindley and Kurt Coleman, have an opportunity to make an impact as well. Riley Cooper will obviously see the field and Mike Kafka will hold the third string quarterback position. As for the rest of the picks, there’s not anyone left I can single out and say with certainty, “he won’t make the team.”
That is a great draft class.
3. The Center Position Is as Much of a Question Coming Out as It Was Going In
Coming into Training Camp, we knew the biggest question mark on offense was clearly the center position. Our star center, Jamaal Jackson, is still rehabilitating his knee, and the time table for his return is still pretty much up in the air. His replacement, Nick Cole, is a guy who wasn’t on Jackson’s level but did have some experience at the position.
Now that Training Camp is over, neither of them will be playing tomorrow against the Bengals. Mike McGlynn will play the first half with the ones and could potentially be the starter for the opener against the Packers.
It seems that McGlynn is doing a pretty good job, but we will have to keep an eye on him as the preseason continues.
4. There Are Still Questions in the Secondary
Taking the last topic and applying it to the defensive side of the ball, the secondary was definitely the biggest question marking heading into Training Camp.
We’re putting a lot of faith in Nate Allen, our second round pick, who will be starting at free safety. I think Allen is going to be a great player. Like Kolb, I think he may make a mistake here or there but will learn quickly and be a solid player. Behind the starters at safety are Quintin Demps and Kurt Coleman. Demps is looking to redeem himself while Coleman is looking to make a name for himself.
At corner, Ellis Hobbs has stepped up in camp to show us he’s ready to play at a high level opposite Asante Samuel. I’m happy with what Hobbs has shown, but I’m still waiting for someone to prove themselves as a legitimate nickel corner. Our backups were burned last Friday and they all have a lot to prove.
5. The Old Michael Vick Is Back
There has been talk about this topic all Training Camp, and I think we got to see Vick live up to the hype last week. Focusing just on the way he was running the ball, Vick looked very good. When he scored his touchdown, you knew he was getting in as soon as he crossed the line of scrimmage. He’s a menace to bring down in the open field and I can’t wait to see him making plays with his feet this year.
Also, on his first ball to Riley Cooper, he reminded us that he’s more than just a pair of quick feet. We saw some nice throws in the 2009 season, and the fact that he can run or throw when he’s in the game makes it difficult for the defense to know how to react.
What did you learn from this years Training Camp?
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It was a welcoming sight after eight long months of offseason madness, almost a cabin fever type feeling, and the Philadelphia Eagles made some nice first impressions of the 2010 season.
Last night’s game proved to be the second consecutive preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in two years, but the more interesting point is the how it marked the second time the Eagles beat the Jaquars in a preseason game by just a mere point—possibly indicating the Eagles are picking up right where they left off.
Every unit from the first string down to the third string played well.
Quarterback Kevin Kolb looked fantastic completing six of 11 passes, for 95 yards, and a near touchdown connection with tight end Brent Celek. He did hit Eagles star receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin a few times for nice completions, but the thing about Kolb that impressed me the most was the overall maturity he showed.
What I mean by that is Kevin wasn’t willing to force anything, he was trying to avoid interceptions at all cost and did so. Instead of trying to make a play happen, he made the smart choice and simply got rid of the ball.
Defensive end Brandon Graham looked absolutely stellar in last night’s game, showing that non-stop motor we’ve all heard about, making his way into the backfield to disrupt a few plays—he and Pro Bowl end Trent Cole should be outstanding together.
Three other rookies really caught my eye last night. Receiver Riley Cooper made multiple great plays, including a 46-yard catch from quarterback Michael Vick, and defensive tackle Jeff Owens, who forced a fumble that was recovered by the Jags.
But the one guy, the one standout in my mind from last night’s game was receiver/running back/Mr. Go To Chad Hall. If there is one man who truly deserves to find a home in the city of Philadelphia, Chad is that man.
Playing the part of punt returner, receiver, and running back, Hall made one nice play after another, including a 22-yard run, displaying a unique burst out of the backfield.
Much to my surprise, the one area that really struggled against the Jaguars was the the Eagles’ defensive punt return unit.
For whatever the reason, Bobby April’s squad could not stop the Jaguars before they crossed the 30-yard line—one play went beyond the 50-yard line.
That needs to be the focus in the upcoming week of practice and prior to the start of the regular season, that little problem needs to be nipped in the bud. The Eagles have talented players all over the special teams roster and with a coach like Bobby April—what we witnessed last night is inexcusable.
The last area that the Eagles continue to struggle is in the redzone.
Last night the Birds made five trips within the 20-yard line and only scored on two of those trips—could’ve been three if Brent Celek didn’t drop that touchown pass.
All in all, it was awesome to see all the Bleeding Eagle Green fans out there last night so throw up your arms with me and give our boys a big “Good Job” as we begin to focus on next week’s matchup against Terrell Owens and the Cincinnati Bengals.
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If you’re an Eagles fan, and you’re not absolutely pumped for tonight’s game, you’ve gotta be crazy. I know it’s the preseason, and it’s long, and it’s not competitive, but you have to be excited about the first game.
We will get our first look at the new Eagles squad against another team for the first time. The starters will play the first quarter before being relieved by the second team and then the other backups.
The thing I’ll be looking at first, as will everyone, is Kevin Kolb. Since it’s the first game, the Eagles won’t be divulging too deep into the playbook, but I’m excited to see his timing with the starting receivers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles run a lot of quick hit passes so Kolb doesn’t have to hold onto the ball too long. The line is suspect right now, and the last thing they need is for Kolb to get hammered every time he drops back.
I’m also interested in seeing how the Eagles can run the ball. LeSean McCoy has had a good camp, bulking up a bit, and is looking to pick up where he left off last year. I’ll also be interested in seeing how often they run Leonard Weaver compared to how many formations he lines up and blocks.
Tight end Brent Celek is another player I’ll have a close eye on. I think Kolb will look to Celek a lot this season. The Pro Bowl caliber tight end is flying a bit under the radar because of the explosiveness the receivers have. However, I think as the season moves forward, we will see Celek putting up numbers as if he was a wide receiver.
When the second team offense takes the field, a ton of people will be watching to see what Michael Vick can do. We won’t see him playing in this fashion in the regular season, so it will be fun to watch him run the offense as a full time quarterback.
Defensively, I feel like this unit is almost brand new. Brandon Graham should see a lot of time opposite Trent Cole, and it will be our first opportunity to see what havoc these guys will wreak on opposing quarterbacks this year.
The linebackers look much different than last year but much improved. Stewart Bradley and Ernie Sims are extremely talented and should have a big year if they can both stay healthy. Sims has been doing damage to his own teammates in Training Camp, so I can’t see what he ends up doing to players in a different uniform.
The Jaguars aren’t one of the top teams throwing the ball, but we’ll get to see how Ellis Hobbs and some of the other corners look. This is one of the biggest weaknesses on the defense, so we’ll get to see just how much of a problem (or not a problem) we have on our hands.
Keep your eye on Nate Allen too. It’s hard to tell how a safety is playing if he’s not laying guys out or intercepting balls. However, I’ll be watching to see Allen’s positioning on passing plays and how quickly he gets to the ball carrier on running plays. He’s a great young player but has a lot of work to do.
Last, I’ll be keeping an eye out to see what rookies can make plays. This was a big draft class numbers wise, but I think they did very well. There are a lot of late-round draft picks with a legitimate shot of making the team, and this will be a great opportunity for them to prove something.
I am absolutely PUMPED! What will you be looking for tonight?
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- Tony Posada plans to announce his college choice on Wednesday at 5:00 EST. I am guessing Michigan or South Florida. Best guess: Michigan.
- For those Michigan fans traveling to the IU game, bring the kids! Tickets are only $5 for kids. Yes, $5! Call the IU ticket office at 1-866-IUSPORTS (487-7678).
- Demar Dorsey still is not participating at Louisville’s camp and it’s not looking good. “We’re moving forward as if those guys are not going to be here,” Strong said. Maybe Michigan’s admission department did know what they were doing?
- Guess what? The Michigan coaches know what they are doing! Here are some quotes on first round draft pick Brandon Graham: “I look at him as another (Dwight) Freeney deal,” said Cole, referring to the Colts’ five-time Pro Bowler. “He’s a great player and just keep watching because he’s going to be pretty good.” “He’s done very well with that,” said Reid. “He’s very strong in the lower body; he’s very strong in the upper body, too. His lower body, he’s got a nice anchor there and good core strength and understands how to use his hands and arms and plays with separation on the linemen.” Those statements seem like a very good recruiting tool. (ht: mgoblog)
- Dallas Crawford Quote: “I plan on making my decision before signing day but not before the season ends,” said Crawford, who added that he’s not leaning any particular way at this point “… I have my top schools, Michigan, Miami, LSU, Wake Forest, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Tennessee.” Expect Dallas and teammate Sammy Watkins to make it official to Ann Arbor this season.
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As the Eagles prepare for their first preseason game with the Jacksonville Jaguars, I had the chance to speak with Michael Corrao over at JacksonvilleJaguarsBlog.com. He answered a number of questions for us, and I’d like to thank him for taking the time out to speak with me. Check out the interview below.
Also, I answered a number of questions for him, so make sure to check it out here.
BirdsFan.com: The Jaguars were able to have a top 10 draft pick this year. Tell us where you thought the teams biggest need was going into the Draft, who you expected them to take, and your thoughts on their selection of Tyson Alualu.
JacksonvilleJaguarsBlog.com: Going into the draft, the consensus was that the Jaguars desperately needed a disruptive defensive lineman who could apply pressure on the opposing quarterback. Fortunately, this past draft was loaded with talented defensive lineman. However, I did not expect Gene Smith (Jaguars GM) to take a defensive tackle with the 10th overall selection. Rumor was that Smith was actively looking for a trade partner to move down and acquire more picks. Unfortunately, Smith only received one low-ball offer from an unknown team.
Stuck with the 10th pick, I assumed Smith was ready to take one of the top DE’s in Brandon Graham, Jason Pierre-Paul, or Derrick Morgan. Safety Earl Thomas was also scouted heavily by the Jaguars leading up to the draft.
When Roger Goodell announced Tyson Alualu was the pick, I grinned. Gene Smith must know something I don’t, I thought at the time. After watching some highlight clips of the guy, I started liking the selection more and more. And so far, he’s done nothing but impress the coaches and fans.
BF: After selecting 10th overall, the Jags had five other picks, but all were in the third round or later. Have any of these picks been impressive in training camp so far and do any of them have a chance of making the final roster?
JBB: The Jaguars 3rd round pick, D’Anthony Smith, a defensive end out of Louisiana Tech, is most likely going to miss this season with an ankle injury he suffered a day ago. It’s not fun to see a guy like that go down so early on, but the defensive line as a whole has been impressive in training camp which makes up for the loss.
Both 5th round picks were used on defensive ends Larry Hart and Austen Lane. Gene Smith and Jack Del Rio envision Hart as a Robert Mathis clone—an undersized pass rusher who can pressure the quarterback. Hart has shown great speed off the edge in TC so far, but needs to work on his run-stopping game. Lane is a tremendously-sized guy, standing at 6′7″, but what’s amazing about him is his quickness off the edge despite his size.
The last two selections the Jaguars made were on return specialists. Deji Karim is a smallish running back who was drafted for his big play ability in the return game but also looks good running the ball between and outside the tackles. Scotty McGee was known as an electrifying return man in college and now will most likely handle the punt returner duties.
BF: Looking back to the 2009-10 season, where would you say the Jaguars biggest weakness was offensively and what have they done to improve upon it? How about defensively?
JBB: The Jaguars were not good up front on either side of the football in 2009. The offensive line was a work in progress going into the season, with two new tackles and two guards coming back from injury. The only bright spot on the defensive line was run-stuffer Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton, who also flashed some pass rushing ability.
However, it didn’t make up for the league-low 14 sacks the defense had. Gene Smith made it a priority during the offseason to fix the defensive line, bringing in veteran DE Aaron Kampman and the rookies mentioned above. A new defensive line coach, Joe Cullen, was hired also, which may prove to be one of the best moves the Jaguars made all offseason. Every player has raved about Cullen and the passion he brings every day.
BF: From an outsider’s perspective, what are your thoughts on the Donovan McNabb trade and how do you think Kevin Kolb will perform in 2010?
JBB: It made sense for the Eagles to move on. McNabb was a great player for a long time, but the Eagles had a younger, cheaper quarterback with a higher ceiling waiting in the wings.
Kolb will most likely experience some growing pains as he leads the Eagles in 2010. Whether he learns from his mistakes or not, we will soon find out. I think he’ll be able to put together some nice games, but I think the Eagles will fall short of the playoffs with Kolb at the helm for his first season.
BF: In a matchup with the Eagles, where do you think the Jaguars will have an advantage offensively? Defensively?
JBB: I think the Jaguars have an advantage at the quarterback and running back positions on offense. David Garrard beats out Kevin Kolb purely based on experience. I think Maurice Jones-Drew, complemented by an elusive Rashad Jennings, is as good as any running back duo in the NFL. On defense, the Eagles may be better at every position besides Linebacker.
BF: Thus far in camp, who are some of those players that we may not know that are really turning heads?
JBB: Ko Quaye, an undrafted DT the Jaguars picked up this offseason has looked real good so far. Vic Kethman (senior editor of Jaguars.com) has been raving about him since the start of TC. Nate Hughes, a WR who’s been with the Jaguars for a couple of years, is a young speedster who has shown a pretty good set of hands. He may steal a roster spot from veteran Troy Williamson.
BF: I’d say that David Garrard has been a pretty average quarterback thus far in his career. Do you expect him to elevate his game in 2010 or will we see more of the same?
JBB: We may see some progress in how quickly Garrard scans the field and chooses a target, but I’m expecting more of the same. It’s not necessarily a bad thing as Garrard has proven to be effective when he has a solid O-Line in front of him and a great running game (see 2007).
BF: Maurice Jones-Drew has emerged as one of the leagues best running backs. How has he looked in camp so far and should we expect him to run wild in 2010?
JBB: Jones-Drew has looked tremendous in training camp so far and may be even better this season. He’s added a few new moves to his running repertoire, including a nasty cutback that could be breaking many ankles this season.
If you own the first pick in your fantasy football league, don’t buy into the Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson hype. I’d take MJD. It’s also funny to note that MJD drafts himself every year in his fantasy football league, and he’s serious about it, so you know he’s running hard each week.
BF: In what areas may the Eagles have the upper hand on offense? Defense?
JBB: Wide Receiver for sure. The Eagles seem to be stacked at that position this season. Offensive Line may go to the Eagles at this point as well. On defense, the Eagles clearly have an advantage on the defensive line and in the secondary. I’m excited to see how well Brandon Graham performs opposite of Trent Cole this season.
BF: Aaron Kampman was a big offseason addition for the Jaguars. Give us your thoughts on the pickup and the impact it will have for the Jags defense.
JJB: He’s been a great pickup. He’s been at the facility every day, working hard and leading by example. The injury that ended his season last year has seemingly disappeared. He’s got a quick first step and can stop the run. He adds a great veteran presence to a young defensive line that needs one after the departure of John Henderson.
BF: Give me a score prediction.
JJB: The Jaguars usually have success against the Eagles, so I’ll predict the Jaguars will take this one 24-20.
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