It was a bit of a slow night for Eagles football. The offense stalled after Nick Mullens was put in and the Steelers running backs slowly whittled down the stamina of our third-string defensive unit, while our cornerbacks could hardly stop anything. But hey! It’s not all doom and gloom. There were some nice plays from some potentially unknowns that did a good job of reinforcing their roster spot. Whether it be a big play, a missed opportunity, or a hidden gem that sprung a big opportunity, I want to look at some of the most memorable moments that Sirianni & Co. will be highlighting in film review tomorrow morning.
Note: This is the first category of highlight I want to bring attention to: plays that almost were, but ended up not being. For example if someone has a dropped interception that could’ve been a pick 6, that’s a sort of “almost” play
10. Zech Mcphearson PBU
This one’s a bit sad, as it not only didn’t show up on the stat sheet as a PBU (pass break-up), but it counted against Mcphearson as a pass interference (which was arguably a soft call). It appeared as though the PBU would save a passing touchdown, though the Steelers ended up running it in for 6 soon after. Regardless, this play bodes well for Zech’s future as an Eagle, as it reinforces what’s been said about him during the course of camp: he’s a ballhawk, and a potential steal in the fourth round. He’s being mentored by Jonathan Gannon, the same coach who saved the career of Xavier Rhodes in Indianapolis. Since our corner depth isn’t great, and Zech is showing up to show out, expect to hear his name a lot more in the future.
9. Josiah Scott Dropped INT
This potential interception was more of a layup than the one thrown to Zech,as there was no receiver near Scott when it slipped through his hands. Again, you’d prefer to see DBs (defensive backs) catch the ball rather than let it slip through their hands, but if you must take a positive away, it’s that passes deflected speak to a cornerback’s instincts. Josiah Scott, who I had not heard much about despite having an impressive camp (similar story to Zech), proved that he has a nose for the football, a necessary trait for a corner in a Jonathan Gannon scheme. While Zech and Josiah are not exactly batting balls from Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady (yet), they are sticking out for all the right reasons in this early stage of their careers, and for now, that is all we can ask of them.
8. Jalen Hurts Throws Ball Away
Carson Wentz. If this isn’t your first year watching Eagles football, you definitely have an opinion about him, good or bad. What is not an opinion, however, is that he sometimes held onto the ball during plays where you would beg him to get rid of it. As much as it pains me to say it, that’s just bad football. Early into this scrimmage with the Steelers, Hurts showed that one difference between he and Wentz is that the former either realizes or more readily acknowledges when a play is dead, and gets rid of the ball accordingly. While that may sometimes result in less flashy plays, it’ll surely result in lower heart rates on Sundays.
Part 2: I want to now some praise to player(s) who do all the little things over and over, which eventually amounts to a big difference over the course of a game.
7. Jake Elliot is Perfect
Your name is Jake Elliot. You’re facing scrutiny for your performance in 2020, routinely missing kicks inside the 35. At least a small portion of the fanbase is thinking, ”Maybe spend more time kicking and less time posting golf trick shots on Instagram.” So what do you do? Nail three kicks beyond the 45 and placate the bloodthirsty sect of Eagles fans for at least another week. It is to be seen if “No Shake Jake” can keep up this momentum, but for now, let us toast this perfect showing by #4, as he was one of the few Eagles who were flawless on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Part 3: This is the third category of play that I want to discuss. Plays that don’t pop off the screen, but people who look back at film will appreciate the effort and hustle that created a big play (on offense) or prevented disaster (on defense).
6. Jordan Howard chips defender
This won’t appear unless you rewatch the tape or have a keen eye for blocking, but Jordan Howard had an absolutely magnifique block on an edge rusher to spring a large play down the middle of the field. This is just something you love to see. It’s gritty, and it shows that you’re willing to put your body on the line for your team. Coaches love this kind of selfless play, and assuming he can’t dish the rock anymore, giving his body up for his team is what’s going to earn him a spot on the 53.
Part 4: big plays that even a casual fan can identify/appreciate
5. Kenneth Gainwell lives up to his name
I remember a few years ago, there was a player that tried to tackle Legarette Blount while he was still on the Patriots, and he clawed tooth and nail to crawl for the first down without letting his knee touch the ground. For obvious reasons, I love seeing this type of effort. It shows a fighting spirit, as well as being, as the kids say nowadays, “hype.” Kenneth Gainwell, an Eagles fourth round pick from the 2021 draft, had one such moment, where a linebacker had him dead to rights, and he slipped under the defender’s arm for an extra two or three yards.
4. Two men sack QB at once
Williams is a 2021 third-round pick looking to make a name for himself, and TY McGill until this point has been a camp body/backup, so for them to rack up stats at any point, no matter who it is against, bodes well for their development. On one particular rep, these two won at the same time against the right tackle (Williams’ assignment) and right guard (McGill’s assignment), giving the Quarterback no avenue for escape. This play gains bonus points for coming on third down and getting the defense off of the field.
3. Hurts to Goedert: Goedhurts(?)
It’s always a good idea to build momentum early, especially when you reportedly struggle to find and hit tight ends in open space. Not sure where that critique of Hurts came from, but alas, here we are. The second play of the game, Hurts does a five-step dropback and laces it over the shoulder of a Steeler defender to hit Dallas Goedert for a 30-yard gain, with a little YAC to boot (YAC: yards after catch). With Sanders not playing and Devonta Smith hurt, Goedert was arguably the biggest name on the Eagles offense that wasn’t on the line in this game, and Hurts already having a rapport with a weapon that is due for an extension is a very promising sign.
2. Elijah Riley Szn
Let me paint a picture: it’s late in the game, about seven minutes left in the final quarter. Your offense is struggling for most of the game, your two best QBs are out for the day. You’re desperate for something– anything– to spark your offense, and when everything is on the line, your practice squad DB comes up with a big interception that puts you in enemy territory. Though the Eagles ultimately failed to capitalize, Elijah Riley (not to be confused with special teams ace Duke Riley) did what you want to see young guys do: make a big play. One big change from Jim Schwartz’s defense to Jonathan Gannon’s is that Gannon’s players will more aggressively pursue the ball instead of playing the sticks (as we saw with all the TFLs tonight).
1. Quez Watkins: Superstar
After Jalen Hurts was rested for the night, Joe Flacco finds Quez Watkins in the left flat, who then took it all the way to the end zone off a checkdown (60 yards). Quez has had a good camp, picking up where he left off in 2020 (albeit in brief spurts). With Devona Smith injured, he’s taking advantage of every extra snap he is granted, and is quickly asserting himself as a go-to receiver. Give him some open space, and he’s gone. Side note: shoutout to Richard Rodgers for springing Quez on a nice block to the left side.
Looking for additional coverage of the first preseason game? Check out these articles:
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Dylan Patrowicz is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Dylan, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
Full image caption: PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 12: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) celebrates his touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the preseason game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 12, 2021 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)
