Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Eagles vs Steelers Preseason Preview

The Eagles kick off the preseason Thursday at 7:30 at Lincoln Financial Field and can I say it is so exciting for football to be back.
There are a players from both offense and defense to watch for both rookies and veterans lets go over the players that I and you should watch for on offense and defense.

OFFENSE

RB Bryce Brown- Brown is in a battle with Chris Polk for the last running back spot and so far he is leading it. If he can have a productive game against Pittsburgh Thursday night, it will be huge in the battle for the roster spot. He will get a ton of snaps during the second half and some in the first half so he will get his opportunity. Stat Prediction: 60 yards 1 Touchdown

RB Chris Polk- Polk is behind Brown right now for the third running back spot so a great night against the Steelers will help him a lot. He will share the reps with Brown in the second half and Reid wants to see what he has so the Eagles will run the ball a lot in the second half. Stat Prediction: 42 yards 1 Touchdown

WR Marvin Mcnutt- Mcnutt has done a great job in training camp filling in for Riley Cooper as the #4 receiver. He needs a solid performance in Week 1 to make sure he can hang on to a roster spot and not be beat out by Chad Hall or Damaris Johnson. Stat Prediction 4 Receptions 40 Yards

FB Stanley Havili- I really need to see if Havili can run with the starters and produce when he gets the snaps. The Eagles might not even keep a full back in order to maybe keep 6 receivers or dare I say 4 running back? So not by any chance does Havili have a secure spot on the roster, he needs to have some what of a good game because also there is another guy creeping up behind him FB/TE Emil Igwenagu who is a versatile player who could play both positions so maybe the Eagles look to him over Havili. We shall see.
Stat Prediction 2 Rushes for 8 yards
WR Damaris Johnson- Johnson is in a very good position right now if he can show that he is a productive punt returner, the Eagles might choose him over Mcnutt or keep 6 receivers. As long as he shows some good signs at punt returning and catch a couple nice passes than Chad Hall will fade from the rear view mirror but don't count out Hall he'll be in the swing of things during preseason. 
Stat Prediction 3 Receptions 20 Yards Punt Return TD (That is a pretty bold prediction.)

Defense 
DT Fletcher Cox- The 12th overall pick will get a lot of reps with the starters against Pittsburgh in the first quarter. If he can do what he did at training camp and make some nice stops I will be happy with his development. Stat Prediction 5 Tackles 1 For a loss

DE Vinny Curry- Curry was one of the second round picks for the Eagles this year and so far at camp he has been a monster in the one on ones and 11 on 11s. I expect with all the injuries on the d-line that he will get a lot of playing time early. I would love to see him get a sack or rush the passer a couple times. 
Stat Prediction 6 Tackles 1 Sack

LB Demeco Ryans- What I am looking for in Ryans is that he makes sure everyone is lined up correctly and that he covers well and finishes his tackles.
Stat Prediction 4 Tackles 1 Pass Deflection

LB Mychal Kendricks- Kendricks will be the starting SAM Linebacker tomorrow night and I am super excited to see what he does in the reps he gets. Just like Ryans if he can cover well and tackle fine ill be comfortable with him as the starter still.
Stat Prediction 3 Tackles 1 Pass Deflection

CB Brandon Boykin- Boykin is competing with Joselio Hanson for the starting slot corner position and also he is the starting kick returner. Boykin has been really good with coverage in the slot so far at camp but this will be a real test to see if he can go up against some good Steeler receivers. I hope to see him take some reps with the starters so he can go up against Antonio Brown and Emanuel Sanders. 
Stat Prediction 2 Pass deflections 3 Tackles

CB Curtis Marsh- I am very interested to see how Marsh is developing and this will be the real test to see if he can hang on to his spot over guys like Kevin Thomas who was a starter with the Colts. 
Stat Prediction 2 Tackle 1 Pass Deflection

It will obliviously take more than just one game to officially judge all these players but with a game under their belt we will get a good look at what they have. Watch the Eagles take on the Stelelers at 7:30 on 6ABC or if you don't live in Philly watch it Friday at 1 on NFL Network.


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