Who ever said the preseason means nothing? For 37 players on each roster, it is a make or break time. it is no different for the Eagles. These next few weeks will determine many players whole futures. The preseason is not an accurate evaluation of a teams performance, however, it is a useful tool for evaluating a player’s performance individually. There are lots of things to watch out for in the preseason. Here’s some things to keep an eye on while watching Philadelphia’s preseason games.
One of the things to look forward to in the preseason is seeing how depth players perform. Obviously Carson Wentz is not going to play at all in this game. Nick Foles might play for a series, but other than that we should see a lot of Sudfeld and Joe Callahan. It will be interesting to see how Sudfeld is playing after a full year in the offense. The Eagles are really high on his future, they even see him as having starting potential.
Kamu Grugier-Hill. Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Is Kamu Grugier-Hill actually looking like the favorite for the outside linebacker job? So far in training camp and offseason practices Grugier-Hill has been very impressive. He is extremely athletic and the best of the bunch at pass rushing. In addition, being a former safety means that his coverage skills are above average for a linebacker.
The best way for Grugier-Hill to lock up the WILL linebacker spot is by playing well in the preseason. If he struggles it would open up a spot for Gerry or Nelson to steal the spot. It is especially important that they perform well because Bradham’s suspension is going to open up an extra starting spot temporarily.
Philadelphia has some locks to make the roster at running back. They are Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles. Behind them Josh Adams, Wendell Smallwood, Donnell Pumphrey and Matt Jones are all competing for one or two spots on the roster.
Donnell Pumphrey looks very improved from last year’s version. However, the only way to be sure that he has made progress is to see it in a live setting. The quality of football in the preseason is not the best. That being said, these players are fighting for roster spots which adds some intrigue to the games.
Sidney Jones. Photo by Bleeding Green Nation
So far the battle for the slot corner position is raging on. Sidney Jones has started about half the time with DeVante Bausby starting the other half. Jones still seems like the favorite to win the job, he has a higher ceiling, and he is the better athlete overall. How Jones and Bausby perform in these preseason games will go a long way towards settling the depth chart.
With regards to the third safety spot, Tre Sullivan is almost certainly going to win the backup spot. He has been the third safety on the field when the Eagles have gone into a three safety formation. Sullivan has more experience in this defence than most of the other safeties competing for the spot. Sullivan probably would have made it onto the roster last season if he had not been injuried.
Featured image by Bill Streicher of USA TODAY Sports
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