Eagles Preseason Week 2: Quick Reactions About the Offense

The Philadelphia Eagles did not look like a dream team against the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night in their second week of preseason action, and this write-up will reflect that.

Head coach Andy Reid summed it up best after the game when he said simply, “We all stunk.”

Indeed.

But how much did the individual players stink? Well, that’s what we’re unfortunately here to find out.

— As will always be the case, we start with Michael Vick. For the first time in a long time, he was the worst player on the field. His decision-making was beyond atrocious, he looked shaky in the pocket, and he clearly allowed early frustrations to get the better of him. Hopefully this was a fluke and not a sign of things to come.

— One of the few bright spots was LeSean McCoy. He was his usual explosive self as he looked very impressive running the ball. He found lanes, he made guys miss, and looked to be in midseason form with the exception of a missed blitz pick-up that forced Vick to scramble and ultimately throw his third interception.

— No one guy stood out on the starting offensive line, but as a unit they were pretty solid. They opened up some running lanes for McCoy and, despite his performance, Vick usually had time to throw the ball. Danny Watkins needs to keep his feet moving better and stay on his man, but he was solid. Also, I would rather have King Dunlap starting on the right side than Ryan Harris at this point. The love for Harris is misguided, to put it lightly.

— DeSean Jackson didn’t do much of anything, but that’s to be expected when Vick couldn’t get the ball to anyone. Jackson’s first target came on the Eagles’ usual run-fake, roll-out, and bomb play they love to open with, but the Steelers read it and had Jackson plastered. DJack finished with two receptions for eight yards as the entire offense floundered.

— Jackson gets special mention because he missed last week, but none of the starting receivers did a thing. Riley Cooper and Jason Avant were basically non-existent, but again that’s in large part because Vick struggled so mightily. You know it was bad on a night where Gerald Jones, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Rod Harper were by far the leading receivers.

— Brent Celek was also a ghost. The biggest play that stuck out to me for Celek was his complete ineptitude trying to reach block LaMarr Woodley. Woodley even helped him out by lining up on his inside shoulder, and Celek still could not just shield him off. Those are blocks Celek will absolutely have to make, or he could lose time to Clay Harbor, who has clearly been working on his blocking. Or if it gets bad enough, it could open the door for Donald Lee to make the final roster.

— Is there any doubt left Ronnie Brown and Dion Lewis are the backups to McCoy? It will be a shame to see Eldra Buckley get the axe, but there is no longer that heavy a need for a guy who is great on kickoffs, which severely limits his value, and Lewis is looking like he could be a real weapon all over the field. As long as he can hold onto the ball, of course.

— Speaking of backups, I’m really starting to think Vince Young should be Mike Kafka‘s backup. Once again, Young looked lost and simply did not make plays. Granted, it’s been against second-and third-team guys that Kafka is making plays, but he’s also doing it with second-and third-team guys around him. Kafka is the real deal, and Young is a project.

— I leave once again unimpressed with Jason Kelce. He was pushed backward far too often and I do not see him as so much more athletic than Jamaal Jackson that he should realistically have a shot at starting gig. In fact, I’d still rather see Mike McGlynn back at center should something happen to Jackson again. Kelce might be a smart guy, but he needs to work on his technique and put on some weight before he can play a 3-4 team.

— Julian Vandervelde does not belong on an NFL field at this point. If he takes a roster spot, I’m boycotting.

After such an atrocious display, there isn’t a whole lot more to break down. When your third-string quarterback, running back, and a wide receiver with no chance of making the roster are by far your best offensive players, it’s time to bury the tape and never speak of it again.

Maybe Reid shouldn’t have broken camp early, after all.