NO silver linings in this one, folks.
EAGLES 3 – Vikings 26
EAGLES STATS:
Passing: QB Tanner McKee (13/21 – 61.9% – 115 – 0 – 1)
Rushing: RB Tyrion Davis-Price (12 – 56 – 4.6 – 0 – 1)
Receiving: WR Griffin Herbert (3 – 3 – 48 – 16.0 – 0)
Drive Killer: N/A (TD: /Int: / FR: / 4th down stops: / FF: )
Sack Leader: Four players (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: / Tackles: )
Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 1/1 FG
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: VIKINGS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Starters Must Play: Not only did most starters not play, they and key back-ups, didn’t even dress. For example, WR Britain Covey didn’t dress. Rookies Jalyx Hunt (LB) and Will Shipley (RB) didn’t dress. Interestingly enough, LB Nolan Smith started and played quite a bit. But hey! This is okay. It’s allllll okay! Right?
The Eagles, particularly the Offense, better not come out stale, or loaded with miscues in Brazil, during the season opener. If they do, expect to hear from many of us fans, about how not playing our starters even a single snap in the preseason, was wrong-head and dumb. (NOT DONE)
2) Offensive Line Must Deliver: This was rendered meaningless, because many of the players who were out there, will be cut before close of business on Tuesday. This essentially gives us nothing of substance, to judge. (NOT DONE)
3) Make A Defensive Statement: If the Eagles Defense made any statement on Saturday, it’s that we can’t stop anyone. However, as I said, most of the people who played later into the game yesterday, won’t be around come dawn on Wednesday. (NOT DONE)
4) No Contributors Play the Second Half: Well this one was certainly a freebie! (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score is 1 of 3, with a corresponding 3 – 26 score for our troubles. Thus endeth the preseason. When next we see this team, the games, the results, will count.
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Game Hero: Nobody. The closest thing we have there, is McKee attempting a 4th and goal touchdown pass, with a guy pulling on his leg. A completion would have made it a boss moment. Instead it was a turnover on downs.
Game goat: DB Cooper DeJean (2 – 0 – 0 – 0) He got a little better as the game wore on, but that first drive saw him commit an illegal contact penalty that erased an interception by S Tristin McCollum (9 – 0 – 0 – 0), who played well. Instead of a taking away the ball and ending that drive, we allowed a touchdown.
On The Whole: All the Eagles coaching staff wanted out of this one, was to get a deep look at the back-end of the roster. Good thing too, because a couple of those guys popped. For example, LB Oren Burks (6 – 1.0 – 0 – 0). He also nearly added an interception to his stats. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t end up on the Practice Squad.
It’s hard to get too concerned about the way this went down. Most of the guys we saw playing in this game will be looking for regular jobs in less than a month. However, in two weeks, our best guys will be playing an away game, in a game that counts, without even one dress rehearsal. If you’re a a little bit worried, you aren’t a whiner. It just means you’re sane.
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