GIVEN how spotty the Offensive starters have been, it’s hard to get a real grasp of just who we do or don’t need further down the roster. Our coaching staff is however, more concerned with potential injury, than they are with players getting their shit straight. So instead of starters playing a couple series, they’ll sit. This is hilarious given the fact that we were one of the earliest teams to begin hitting in camp.
Normally this would be the game where coaches looked at the deep end of the roster, to see if guys “on the bubble” made the most of their last opportunity, but this is an unusual year. Nothing (big picture) seems to be at stake here, on either roster. Both teams are just playing out the string. That means the Eagles can get to trying to win the NFC East, and the Jets can get on with tanking in 2017.
So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on for this week versus New York Jr. :
1) Does Warmack earn a chance: I was big on G Chance Warmack before he was drafted, and I still hold out some hope for him to make this roster. That said, I want to see him look like a starter against the Jets back-ups.
2) Coming up big: RB Donnel Pumphrey has so far made the stereotype for smaller RB’s look 100% true. Rushing, receiving, punt returning…so far he’s looked like a boy amongst men doing all of it. He needs to show that he belongs.
3) Cherry picking a LB: We’re thin at LB. Not in number (8), but in terms of playmakers. The fact that Najee Goode is still here, proves that. Last week however, Don Cherry (out of Villanova) gave me reason to hope, with his 42 yard return (no score) of an interception. A strong showing this week could cement a spot for him on the active roster.
4) Groom a great Dane: If you look at QB Dane Evans numbers (0TD, 2INT, 36.2 rating) you think “Yech, yikes and yuck”. Watching him play on the other hand, tells a much different story. We’ve gotten an extensive look at the decidedly underwhelming Matt McGloin. In fact, he leads the NFL this preseason in attempts, completions, and is tied for the lead in interceptions, despite only throwing 1 TD in 3 games. We need to see at least a half from Evans.
If we do all these things, we’re just about guaranteed to win. Now that we’ve covered what should happen, let’s get into what likely will happen:
We’ll get to see some guys make the team, and others blow their opportunity.
PREDICTION: EAGLES 25 – Jets 13
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