clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Eagles tired out the Panthers' defense

The Panthers were winded last Thursday night, which is especially encouraging considering the low number of snaps players get in the preseason.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

After Thursday night's Week 2 preseason game, LeSean McCoy said that he could see that the Panthers' defense was tired. Per Phil Sheridan of ESPN:

"I think everything coach Kelly told us about this offense is correct," running back LeSean McCoy said. "It's hard for them to get their defensive calls on because we're going, we're going. We're fast. The tempo is definitely effective. It's crazy, because I saw how tired the defense was.

"Wow, imagine what it will be like for four quarters."

Also from Sheridan's piece, Michael Vick noted that the Eagles weren't even operating at top speed:

Quarterback Michael Vick didn't run the no-huddle in the preseason opener against New England. He got his first chance with less than 3 minutes left in the first half Thursday. That drive resulted in the only touchdown scored on Vick's shift. 

"We can go a lot faster," Vick said.

The Panthers themselves even admitted that they were winded, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer:

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said the Eagles' play-action passing game slowed the pass rush, but rookie defensive tackle Star Lotulelei said the Eagles' rapid-fire approach left him winded.

"I got tired, but that's all part of the game. Just got to fight through it, get to the next play and keep sound fundamentals," Lotulelei said. "Get off the ball is what we teach in our defensive line room. So that's what I have to do."

Pro Football Focus has not yet released their snap counts for the 2nd preseason game, but how many snaps could Lotulelei have played? 20? 30 at the most? What is going to happen to teams in the 4th quarter against the Eagles this year?

They better be in shape, or have a lot of depth.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Bleeding Green Nation Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of all your Philadelphia Eagles news from Bleeding Green Nation