Preseason, which feels like an eternity, is more than half over. The Eagles have played two of their four games, winning both easily, and will travel to Lambeau tonight to take on the Green Bay Packers. Whether Aaron Rodgers plays is the biggest storyline, but after the season-ending injury to Jordy Nelson, it’s likely that Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy keeps the league’s reigning MVP fresh for the start of the regular season. Preseason means virtually nothing anyway though, unless you’re a rookie (or veteran) fighting for a spot on the final roster. Below are five of the biggest storylines for Eagles fans heading into tonight’s game.
1 – How much will Sam Bradford play?
Sam Bradford got his feet wet against the Baltimore Ravens. He played in one game, leading a touchdown drive and taking a vicious hit from linebacker Terrell Suggs. Essentially, it was the ideal outcome for Bradford. He played well enough for the Eagles to score points and he survived a dirty, potentially season-ending cheap shot. But now Bradford needs to play more than just 12 snaps. He needs to preferably play the entire first half, although knowing Chip Kelly’s fear of an injury, that’s not going to happen. Personally, if Bradford can’t play two quarters without getting injured, I don’t see how he can play 64 quarters this season.
2 – Will Tim Tebow make the team?
The third-string quarterback battle heard round the world enters its third preseason game with no clear-cut leader. I’m sticking with my original prediction, which is that Tebow wins the final quarterback spot and Matt Barkley is released after the Eagles cannot find a trade partner. Tonight’s game against the Packers might be the final opportunity for the Eagles to shop Barkley. I only see him getting moved if he lights up the Packers and another desperate team is willing to part with a seventh-round draft pick.
3 – Is Andrew Gardner ready to be the starting right guard?
It appears that Andrew Gardner has unofficially won the starting right guard spot for Chip Kelly’s Eagles. However, did Gardner win the starting spot because of his strong play? Or did he win it by default? I’d lean more toward Gardner winning it by default. He’s been solid this preseason. He hasn’t stood out. The problem lies with the other right guards, as last year’s UDFA emerger Matt Tobin has failed to impress in his second season with the team. Veteran John Moffitt has been a big disappointment and will likely be cut. And UDFA Malcolm Bunche has been solid but he hasn’t received many first-team reps. If he manages to find his way onto the team, it’ll be as the last offensive lineman. A strong showing by Gardner against Green Bay tonight could ease the minds of the Eagles, who are trying to replace both starting guards in the same offseason.
4 – Do the three inside linebackers appear ready for the start of the season?
Inside linebacker is one of the biggest strengths of the team, as the Eagles have Kiko Alonso, Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans. But not one of three has played so far this preseason. Alonso is recovering from a concussion. Kendricks has been sidelined with a minor hamstring injury. And Ryans is still recovering from last year’s torn Achilles. Expect Alonso and Kendricks out on the field tonight, and it’ll be the first taste of the new future at the inside linebacker position, as Kendricks recently signed a four-year contract extension. Ryans is a candidate to open the season on the PUP list.
5 – Who in the world is this team’s nickel cornerback?
Just two weeks away from the start of the season, the Eagles really have no idea who will be their nickel cornerback. Whoever wins the job at this point is essentially the team’s third option, as Brandon Boykin (traded) and rookie JaCorey Shepherd (torn ACL) had first cracks at the job. Rookie second-round pick Eric Rowe is the player the Eagles want to win the job, but he’s had a quiet preseason and will need a strong showing to lock down the spot. The only other real candidate is veteran E.J. Biggers, an under-the-radar depth signing who will likely find his way onto the final roster even if he’s not the nickel corner. It would be shocking at this point to see UDFA Denzel Rice or last year’s fourth-round pick Jaylen Watkins crowned the team’s nickel corner.
