DT Ty Robinson celebrates getting a sack. 

ENDURING the process.

EAGLES 7 – Ravens 24

So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: RAVENS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) The Defensive Interior: Looked pretty good out there. DT Ty Robinson (2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) was essentially lined up at DE and did a nice job of getting upfield to create pressure. With his body type and physical style;I said last year that he was my favorite pick of the Draft, and that I thought if played at LDE, would be special. He played RDE in this one, but the telling was there.

Taken at face value, DT Uar Bernard (no stats) was a mixed bag. However, given that this was his very first competitive football game ever played, he was outstanding. He has a ton of technique stuff to iron out, but his passion and power were on display here. If he doesn’t let this year discourage him, the Eagles have a find on their hands. (+)

2) Flip-Flop: I suppose it was wise to not overwhelm rookie RT Markel Bell. He didn’t play any snaps at LT. He just stuck to RT, and didn’t do anything dumb. Nothing eye-popping, but he at least looked like he belonged out there. (+)

3) A Second Look: First, WR Hollywood Brown (1 – 1 – 4 – 4.0 – 0) caught the only pass thrown to him. That’s to his credit. That said, a four yard route to speedster, playing against second stringers in a vanilla cover scheme, was a pretty weak play-call. Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion: Step you game up next week.

I wanted to see what WR Quez Watkins (no receiving stats) would do with any passes coming his way. Not one did. (-)

4) Bottom of the Roster: Of the two long-shots that I was keeping an eye on, only RB Ja’Quindon Jackson (1 catch for 11 yards), saw any action. (-)

++++

Next week we travel to face off against the New England Patriots. So far their forecast calls for rain, so don’t expect a whole lot of throwing the ball around. Unless the forecast changes by then.

****

Game Hero: QB Cole Payton – (4/9 – 44.4 – 37 – 1 – 0) racking up 45 rushing yards on 3 carries, Payton provided the spark that kept the Eagles from being shutout.

Game goat: OC Sean Mannion – For a guy trying to establish himself and get his feet wet for real competition in less than a month, he didn’t seem very interested in challenging himself. The most of the routes were of the dink and dunk variety, leading to us seeing TE Eli Stowers (3 – 3 – 12 – 4.0 – 0) catch the same pass, three times for nearly the same result each time.

On The Whole:

I ended up more disappointed by the play-calling, more than anything else. The Ravens racked up yards more than points, but that largely had to do with our Offense not being able to stay on the field.