After the winter roster purge, the biggest question facing the 2015 Eagles was whether they had enough talent to compete for a Super Bowl. Well, we already have the answer. Oh, they have enough talent. They have as much pure athleticism as any Eagles team in recent memory.
What remains to be seen, based on the 36-10 preseason victory Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, is whether all of the pieces fit together — whether coach Chip Kelly can mix and match these faster, bigger, but inexperienced athletes into a cohesive unit.
First, an obvious disclaimer. Drawing any firm conclusions from a preseason football game is precarious, at best. So many of the players on the field will not be employed in the NFL in a few weeks. Also, coaches are not trying to win games; they’re trying to evaluate talent. The only thing that resembles the regular season is the ticket prices.
It takes a special player to drop two balls in the first half of his debut in the NFL and still leave fans thrilled. Agholor did that, and more, with his size, speed and football instincts.
But still, first impressions are important, and in that regard, there was cause for some genuine excitement if you’re an Eagles fan. In order of importance, these were the most encouraging new contributors:
Nelson Agholor
It takes a special player to drop two balls in the first half of his debut in the NFL and still leave fans thrilled. Agholor did that, and more, with his size, speed and football instincts. The No. 1 draft pick has been compared to the wide receiver he replaced, Jeremy Maclin. Don’t be shocked if Agholor, eventually, is an even better player.
The rookie’s romp down the sideline early in the game displayed all of his elite skills. He snagged a high throw by Mark Sanchez, spun away from the defender and exploded toward the end zone. Wow. Size, speed, elusiveness, all in one package. Buy your Nelson Agholor jerseys now. He’s going to be a star.
Eric Rowe
In Kelly’s first draft with final say, the coach obviously emphasized physical skils over everything else. Agholor is one example, and Rowe — the second-round selection — is another. The defensive back runs a blinding 4.3 40, and he’s also not shy about hitting. It’s only a matter of time before he starts somewhere in the defensive backfield.
By far, Rowe’s best play in the preseason opener was the fumble he forced after getting beaten over the middle. The kid closed fast on Eric Dorsett and smacked the ball right out of his hands. Quick feet, good strength, excellent instincts. Rowe will make us forget Bradley Fletcher – if we haven’t already.
Kenjon Barner
The Eagles are stacked at running back, but it’s impossible to ignore Barner’s amazing performance Sunday. A bust in Carolina two years ago, Barner scored two touchdowns — one on a 92-yard punt return — prompting Kelly to say he may have to find a role for him in the offense or on special teams. The fact that Barner played for Kelly at Oregon definitely won’t hurt his chances.
Cory Undlin
Technically, Ed Reynolds II deserves credit for his two interceptions late in the game, but the young safety’s positioning was the real story. Undlin replaced inept assistant John Lovett after the 2014 season, and the improvement is already obvious. The entire defensive secondary looked more confident, less confused, than it was under Lovett.
Tim Tebow
Ha, ha. Just kidding.
Overall, the Eagles looked especially impressive when you consider that some of the best players — Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Darren Sproles, Zach Ertz, DeMeco Ryans, Kiko Alonzo, Mychal Kendricks — did not play, for a variety of reasons (see below). This team will not miss LeSean McCoy, Trent Cole, Nick Foles and maybe even Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles have plenty of talent and they’ve got a plan.
Are the new, improved Eagles ready to do something special this season?
So far, so good.
***
Five years ago, Chip Kelly earned a nickname at Oregon that cannot be repeated on this family website. Let’s just say it referred to his, er, large testicular capacity – in other words, courage. The man was afraid of nothing.
Based on the coach’s recent handling of Sam Bradford, it’s safe to say Kelly has experienced some unfortunate shrinkage since those bold days as a Duck.
The decision to bench Bradford for the opening preseason game Sunday was illogical from every perspective. Bradford has played seven NFL games in the past two seasons, he is learning a brand-new system with the Eagles and he was adamant about getting as much meaningful game action as possible before the opener in three weeks.
But Kelly elected to keep a healthy player on the sidelines for fear of yet another injury to his quarterback’s twice-torn left ACL. Kelly made this decision one week after assuring everyone that there was an 88 percent chance Bradford would not re-injure the knee.
In the big picture, missing a couple of series in a preseason game should mean very little on the field. Off it, though, this decision sends a message of fear that will hang over Bradford and the Eagles all season. Either Kelly has confidence in Bradford’s health or he doesn’t. Which is it?
The most alarming part of the benching, at least from Bradford’s vantage point, is that it is repeating some ugly recent history. St. Louis did precisely the same thing last summer after his first ACL surgery, and he tore it again anyway just two weeks later.
Chip Kelly has the most audacious offense in the NFL, the most daring practice regimen, and the most aggressive approach to sports science in sports. He answers questions with belligerence. He carries himself with an undeniable swagger.
But now we know there are fears behind that façade. We know he’s worried about Sam Bradford’s health – far more worried than he has admitted.
Benching Bradford on Sunday was a bad decision. Let’s just hope it isn’t a sign that Kelly is losing his, uh, you know what.
***
If this isn’t a crossroad for Roger Goodell, what is? The NFL commissioner is awaiting word on his quest to suspend Tom Brady for four games in the ongoing Deflategate saga. If Judge Richard Berman rules that the league exceeded its authority in its punishment of the most successful quarterback in the game, what then for Goodell?
Now, logic strongly suggests that Brady was indeed involved in the deflating of footballs to gain a competitive edge last season, but common sense is one thing and proof quite another. Despite the five-month, multi-million-dollar effort to find a smoking gun in the case, the only gun that has surfaced is the one pointing right at Goodell’s head.
Think about it. In the three biggest crises of his nine-year tenure, the commissioner destroyed the evidence in Spygate, ignored the evidence in the Ray Rice case and never found the evidence against Brady. Three strikes and you’re out in baseball; how many in football? Can Goodell survive another public embarrassment?
The NFL owners who control Goodell’s fate are businessmen first, of course, but even they have to be wondering whether the NFL has flourished despite their commissioner and not because of him. And Robert Kraft, the Patriots’ owner who saved Goodell after the Rice fiasco, has clearly become an enemy now.
Roger Goodell has always been committed to the NFL brand, the league’s marketable image. He has always spoken about how important it is that fans not just love the sport but also respect the people in it. From that perspective alone, he must realize by now that he has become a detriment to its future success.
The fate of Deflategate is in Judge Berman’s hands now – and, if there’s any justice in the NFL, Goodell’s future is hanging in the balance, too.
And finally ...
• This just in: Mark Sanchez is still a bad NFL quarterback. The Eagles’ backup proved it again on Sunday, when he heaved all seven of his passes high, risking injury to receivers who were exposed as they went up for the ball. Nelson Agholor’s brilliant catch and run doesn’t change the notion that Sanchez will ruin another season if given the chance.
• Regardless of the circumstances that prompted it, wasn’t IK Enempkali’s knockout punch to the jaw of Jets’ quarterback Geno Smith last week a criminal act? If a blow that leads to surgery – and up to 10 weeks on the sidelines – isn’t assault, what is? The only punishment Enempkali faces now is playing for bozo Rex Ryan in Buffalo. He belongs in jail.
• The Flyers deserve kudos for not rescheduling their exhibition game on Sept. 25, the eve of Pope Francis’ arrival. The pontiff’s visit is an honor for Philadelphia, but asking everyone to cancel all plans for three-plus days is absurd. How fans will actually get to that Flyers game is going to be interesting. Good luck with that.
• You’ve got to say this about Cole Hamels and Chase Utley. When trade rumors were at their peak, both performed amazingly. Hamels pitched a no-hitter, then left for Texas. And Utley went 6 for 9 last weekend in Milwaukee. The Phils owe both of them one last thank you for boosting their trade value in their final days.
• The Dallas Cowboys managed 70 yards on 23 carries in their first preseason game last week against San Diego. Their top running back, Gus Johnson, had 35 yards. Yeah, they’re not going to miss Demarco Murray at all. Not one bit.