Cooney’s Column: After 2 Games The Eagles Talent Is Undeniable
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: A.J. Brown #11, Jalen Reagor #18, Miles Sanders #26, and head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles react against the New York Jets in the second half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Jets defeated the Eagles 24-21. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
By Bob Cooney
I imagine I speak for most, if not all of us, when I say that watching a preseason football game is done in a totally different fashion than the way one zones in on a regular season game. Numbers and averages don’t matter in the preseason, nor does a final score. And the overwhelming subject of any game has become the avoidance of injuries.
So what is there to look for? Plenty, but in a different way. As I’ve said many times, everyone watches a game differently, and maybe no more so than a meaningless preseason game. But here’s how I watch meaningless Eagles football and what I’ve seen in the first two preseason games.
This team has talent and a lot of it. There’s simply no denying it. And here’s how I see it.
The offensive line, no matter who of the players that will probably make the team are out there, EXECUTES. Whether it’s pulling guards or one-on-one battles or a rookie center correctly calling out blocking assignments. I’ve seen no negatives there at all.
And while starting running back Miles Sanders hasn’t hit the preseason field, Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell benefitted from that great offensive line play and showcased themselves as more than capable backups.
The wide receivers may be the most capable of all the positions, and all the way down to receiver No. 5, and appear to run crisp, precise routes and have, almost in all parts, shown very reliable hands.
I watch individuals in preseason more than I do during the regular season to see if they meet my eye test. Yes, I’ve seen some slip ups, but not much, if anything, that has me overly concerned. Yes, it’s preseason. Yes there are few starters on either team taking up playing time. But it’s more than that. It’s about execution and timing and cerebral play.
That’s what I’m seeing. We’ll see how it translates come Sept. 11 against Detroit.
Pat is Philly through and through, having grown up in the Oxford Circle of Northeast Philadelphia. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School, and it was at CD that a teacher suggested he should pursue a career in sports radio. He worked his way up the ranks and joined the morning show in June of 2020. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic he writes about Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. Follow Pat on Twitter @Pat_Egan
Sign Up For The Fanatic MVP Insider Newsletter
Get the info you need on the Philly Sports landscape, events you need to know about, exclusive contests, and more.
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.