An Instant Classic - Observations from Ravens 26, Eagles 15
The nice thing about this game is that it’s over. Mercifully, it did not last four quarters.
For real though, it was great to see some of the offensive starters out there, but with a 3rd or 4th string quarterback in Cody Kessler on the field, what exactly was the point? If you’re going to play some starters but leave others out, how many meaningful repetitions is the group really getting? I didn’t necessarily understand Doug Pederson’s thought process with the personnel set that began the game, but I guess his options are limited when we’ve all agreed that it’s best to protect Carson Wentz and get him ready for week one.
But hey, nobody got hurt, and that’s the biggest thing you can ask for in the third week of the preseason.
Starters
These guys featured on the offensive side of the ball last night:
- Jason Peters
- Jason Kelce
- Isaac Seumalo
- Corey Clement
- Nelson Agholor
- Alshon Jeffery
- Zach Ertz
- DeSean Jackson
Nice to see some of the 1s out there, even though they played very little time overall.
As for why Wentz didn’t start, Pederson said he liked what he saw during joint practices this week, and offered this on his quarterback when asked what he’s seen during camp:
I think from a leadership standpoint, on and off the field, how he’s really taken charge of the team, not just the offense but the team, some of the things that I see, I see him really opening himself up to the offense from the standpoint of letting the offense work. And that just comes from time with the system and developing his repertoire of plays and what he likes and getting comfortable. He’s really done an outstanding job. And even physically from his rehab back in the spring all the way through training camp, he’s clicking on all cylinders. His mind is good, his body feels fresh, and all the things that we’ve seen through camp have really — for me, that was the deciding factor.
The defensive starters looked like this (in nickel), all of whom except Rodney McLeod who had played in weeks one and/or two:
- Brandon Graham
- Tim Jernigan
- Malik Jackson
- Vinny Curry
- Zach Brown
- Nate Gerry
- Sidney Jones
- Rasul Douglas
- Avonte Maddox (in the slot)
- Malcolm Jenkins
- McLeod
Douglas had a terrible missed tackle on the 3rd Ravens drive, playing some off coverage and then getting himself turned around. Malcolm Jenkins didn’t do great on that one either. McLeod looked really good identifying a zone read a few plays later and hauling down Trace McSorley in space.
I think that’s the biggest defensive takeaway from last night, the fact that McLeod is back in the fold and looking like himself.
Said Rodney:
“I felt good. I think Jim (Schwartz) kind of called some calls that would help me get involved a little bit early on. I don’t know if he did that intentionally or what, but it felt good to get my feet wet and be able to make some tackles.”
Yes indeed.
Cody Kessler
He’ll be the odd man out when it’s time to trim the roster. You can’t get sacked on 4th and 3 in a preseason game.
Josh McCown
First series:
- handoff
- dropped snap
- slot screen almost intercepted
Second series:
- handoff
- pass thrown a bit behind receiver
- contested catch for Josh Perkins, no dice
Then he began to settle in, hitting some short completions en route to an excellent 17-24 night with 192 yards and two touchdowns, including this one:
A week ago, 40-year-old QB Josh McCown was drinking White Claws, floating on a raft in his pool.
Tonight, he’s tossing these dimes. pic.twitter.com/L6D5WUW0wr
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 23, 2019
The second TD toss was just as good, with McCown sitting in there and taking a hit while throwing another dime right over the top and towards the back of the end zone.
He looked very solid to me, especially considering he was retired this time last week. Not sure about you, but I feel a lot better about the backup quarterback situation after last night.
McCown:
“You know what, I was glad, especially after that start. I wanted to kind of find a rhythm and I think we all kind of looked at it like an extended practice. It’s really for myself and just being here, that’s how I took it. It’s another chance for me to call these new plays, get a look at them, run them, get to the line of scrimmage, and handle some things. I need as much work as I can get to get caught up to speed. That was good and I appreciate the opportunity. Doug and Mike were great with me this week. Press Taylor was awesome just getting me ready and sitting me down and saying, ‘Hey, these are the things we are going to call. Only stuff you are comfortable with and you feel good with.’ We were actually able to get into a rhythm later.”
Welcome aboard, Josh McCown.
Corey Clement
Looks like they wanted to get him established a bit, see what he’s got. I think he’s easily the 4th RB on the squad right now and will beat out Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams. Clement finished with seven carries for 25 yards, averaging out to 3.6 with a long of 11.
I think Ross Tucker had it right when he said that Clement had a bit more “juice and versatility” than the other guys competing for a roster spot. You see it in how Corey reads the line and hits the hole.
Jake Elliott
He’s hit 52 and 53 yarders this preseason while missing from 40 and 41. Concerned? It’s pretty much mirrors what he’s done during his entire Eagles career.
Daeshon Hall watch
Easily the most intriguing guy in the first two games.
Last night he drew a holding penalty on the Ravens’ first two-point conversion, which forced them backwards and into an extra point attempt instead.
And…
That’s about it. He had two QB hits later in the game but didn’t register a tackle or a sack.
JJ Ar-thay-ga Whitesite
Great night for him, with the touchdown catch (on a wonderful route) and then the 35 yard catch-and-run preceding the Alex Ellis touchdown. He finished with 104 yards on eight catches and was the Birds’ most targeted receiver on the field (9).
Greg Ward
Can anybody really honestly say that Mack Hollins has done more to deserve a roster spot than Greg Ward? It’s something to think about. Suddenly the 5th wide receiver spot is an interesting position battle, though it seems like most of the folks putting together the 53-man roster projections still have Hollins making the team, partly for his special teams contributions.
Penalties
24 combined penalties in this game for 203 yards.
Turrible, as Charles Barkley would say.
Anyway, that’s really all I’ve got folks. The preseason is almost over. Just one more week to go. Happy Friday. I’ll see you at the Jersey Shore later tonight.