Five Big-Picture Takeaways from Eagles Preseason Game Three
By Somers Price
Aug 29, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles (43) celebrates with quarterback Sam Bradford (7) after catching a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
In what was likely the last action for the Eagles starters for the 2015 preseason, fans finally got to see an extensive look at the offensive and defensive units that will take up the bulk of the important snaps during the regular season. The team will wrap up its preseason schedule on Thursday against the Jets before Chip Kelly and his coaching staff will have to cut down the roster to its final 53-man version. Kelly will likely be facing his most difficult selection process since becoming the Eagles coach.
Aside from the individual performance of a few select players, evaluating a game like Saturday is difficult. Green Bay opted not to start their All-World quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Once again, there was no apparent game-planning on the Packers side and the Eagles imposed their will for the better part of what many would consider the ‘meaningful’ action in this showdown. Though intensity can sometimes be tough to come by during the preseason, one has to figure the Eagles defense was a bit deflated when they were unable to face Rodgers for at least one drive.
There was also the surprise decision to sit Kiko Alonso against the Packers, despite the 3rd year linebacker being listed as an active member of the roster. Kelly brushed off any level of concern regarding Alonso and a non-knee related leg issue he dealt with, but Alonso’s omission from Saturday’s game will likely mean his first action in Eagles-green will come in the regular season opener against the Falcons.
At the end of the day, despite hoards of naysayers ramming the ‘it’s only preseason!’ wet blanket down Eagles fans throat, one can only evaluate what’s been provided. Saturday’s game provided more of this material than anything else up to this point, and there are at least topics that can be discussed based off what took place at Lambeau Field.