The last time we were here, six months ago, it should have been titled “The Bad, the Horrible and the Worst,” after the Eagles’ 32-9 Wild Card playoff round defeat at Tampa Bay on Jan. 15.
With 10:44 left in the game, ESPN color commentator and NFL Hall of Fame member Troy Aikman brazenly – and accurately – announced to the nation that the Eagles… “were a defeated team, and they were when they came in the game. And there was no real life in that group the entire game.”
That’s what the Eagles – and Nick Sirianni – will have to overcome when things get serious this season.
This dress rehearsal on Friday night in Baltimore was not particularly important. There were a lot of Kenny Pickett, Brett Toth, Fred Johnson, Darian Kinnard, John Ross, Johnny Wilson and Britain Covey. The Eagles lined up from left to right with Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Brett Toth, Mekhi Becton and Darian Kinnard.
In other words: who cares?
Defensively, it was interesting how the Eagles lined up, with newly acquired Bryce Huff as one edge rusher, Nolan Smith as the other edge rusher, and on the interior with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams. The linebackers were Zack Baun, playing interior linebacker for the first time, paired with Devin White, while the cornerbacks were Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo, and the safeties were Reed Blankenship and James Bradberry.
It’s a good sign to find some gems against other-colored jerseys. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. looked good, making five tackles by halftime, the most on the team, and Pickett moved well in the pocket, completing 13 of 21 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He completed 14 of 22 passes and had two sacks. Keegan looks solid right now, and the defense has been tough on Baltimore’s backups doing easy stuff.
There were a lot of good, some sloppy, and a few ugly moments in the Eagles’ 16-13 walk-off victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The good
Edge rusher Patrick Johnson intercepted and recovered a fumble with 10 seconds left. That gave Jake Elliott a second chance to make amends for a missed extra point and field goal attempt. Elliott’s 49-yard field goal gave the Eagles the walk-off win after he bounced a 50-yard field goal attempt off the right post with 16 seconds left.
Left tackle Fred Johnson and left guard Trevor Keegan Opening a gaping Gap through which Kenneth Gainwell burst out for a nine-yard gain on the Eagles’ third play of the game. Keegan was the Eagles’ fifth-round pick and has some potential. On this play, Johnson sealed well and Keegan pushed his opponent to the right, giving Gainwell the space he needed. Keegan looked sharp – and a natural fit to get even better under legendary Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Linebacker Devin White showed some of his previous qualities on the first drive and prevented the run.
First-round rookie draft pick Quinyon Mitchell made a good interception on the Ravens’ first possession, a third-and-10 at the Eagles’ 29. Mitchell should have intercepted the pass, but his pass defense forced Baltimore to commit to a field goal.
The Eagles’ second drive. They drove 75 yards in 8:50 over 15 plays. Will Shipley intercepted a blitz and gained 27 yards from the line of scrimmage on the drive, including a 7-yard touchdown catch by Pickett.
Pickett showed that he is a viable NFL quarterback and a very credible replacement for Jalen Hurts on the second drive. He was 5-for-5 for 39 yards, including a TD pass to Shipley. Pickett finished the half 13-of-21 for 90 yards and a touchdown. He moved well in the pocket and showed NFL composure. He will be a reliable replacement who will be good for a few plays if needed.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. 5:43 minutes before the end of the half he scored a nice goal against the special teamsand then added two more stops on Ravens possessions. Trotter isn’t as big as his dad, but he’s faster than his great father on the Eagles and more athletic (and Trot Sr. has admitted that on multiple occasions). Trotter Jr. is good enough to make this team and potentially be an impact player by midseason. He was one of the best tacklers at Clemson. Trotter led the Eagles in tackles at halftime, making five stops, four solos and a sack. He made six total tackles, the most on the team.
Covey’s 26-yard punt return in the final four minutes of the half. The diminutive punt returner was hit at least five times and kept his balance to bring the ball to the Eagles’ 37-yard line.
Cornerback Ringo intercepted three passes in the first half and was one of the few bright spots for the Eagles towards the end of last season.
Right guard Matt Hennessy and right tackle Kinnard did a great job pulling and kicking for Lew Nichols’ 2-yard touchdown with 2:16 minutes left in the third quarter. If this success can be continued in the regular season, the Eagles could have sufficient depth in the offensive line.
It was encouraging to see Nolan Smith Score a 9-yard sack on a first-and-10 at the Ravens’ 28-yard line late in the third quarter.
The bad
Johnson on the Eagles’ opening drive, he went offside after opening a big hole for Kenneth Gainwell. It’s the pre-snap penalties that thwart drives, and Johnson’s leap put the Eagles on a first-and-15 that caused the drive to stall.
Okay, okay, it’s preseason. It’s always good to get some extra points. Elliott missed a rare shot when he hit the left post after the Eagles’ first goal. Any way you look at it, it’s bad.
Steen received a penalty for holding on a first-and-10 at the Eagles’ 36-yard line with 7:46 left in the half. This happened after Pickett had fought his way free for five yards.
The Ugly
Elliott, normally a good clutch player, hit the right post on a potential 50-yard game-winning shot with 16 seconds left.
Ravens’ Owen Wright storms through the middle The Eagles defense for 12 yards on Baltimore’s first offensive play– against the Eagles’ starting lineup. It was a very impressive way to side with new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. And where was linebacker Zack Baun?
The Ravens’ second play, a short pass to the left, resulted in a 17-yard lead. First round rookie draft pick Quinyon Mitchell was nowhere to be found. Avonte Maddox had to play further down the field.
Falling at the beginning of the fourth quarter by Jacob Harris And EJ Jenkins To consecutive goes are a good way to not make it onto an NFL team when every goal counts.
