The Linc - Nate Allen looks to start at Safety

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How important is Defense in the NFL? - Brent Cohen, BGN
Looking at the defensive performance of Super Bowl participants since 2000.

Michael Vick says he needs to be cautious, and play all out, in a span of two minutes - Jim Kempski, Philly.com
In a span of literally less than two minutes today, Michael Vick said that he needed to be cautious, and followed that up by saying that he thought he needed to play all out.

Nate Allen Looks To Shore Up Starting Role - Danta Klaus, PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Though defensive coordinator Bill Davis explicitly stated that none of the starters at safety have been selected, Patrick Chung has spent more time with the first-team defense than anyone else. The second starting safety spot offers less certainty, and Saturday evening’s third preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars could be the determining factor. If the distribution of reps and rotation order are any indication, Nate Allen has the inside track.

Brandon Graham and Understanding the Preseason - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
Preseason football offers a lot of fool’s gold. Fans and some in the media will focus on results. That can be highly misleading. If Matt Barkley throws a bad pass, but the receiver makes an impressive grab…if a RB runs through tackles by 3rd stringers and delivers a long play…if a rusher blows by a bad blocker for a sack…these plays mean little to nothing. The preseason isn’t about results. The preseason is about evaluation. A player needs to show specific abilities and skills that the coaches can count on in the regular season, when results are the key.

No-22: The Eagles’ New-School Triple Option - Sheil Kapadia, Birds 24/7
Earlier this week, we looked at how the Eagles packaged the zone read with the bubble screen on several occasions against the Panthers. The basic premise was simple: If the quarterback saw favorable numbers in the box, he went with the zone read. If he thought he had an advantage on the perimeter, he threw the screen. It was an either/or proposition. But Chip Kelly and the Eagles ran a different play that actually combines the two. In other words, it’s a zone read and a bubble screen. Or essentially, a new-school triple option.

Howie Roseman on Eagles' offense/defense imbalance: Successful teams have one strength - Jeff McLane, Inqy
"When we went back and studied the teams who’ve won, they have a strength," Roseman said. "They’re not just in the middle on both sides of the ball. And when we looked at our offense and looked at where we had players rated in the draft, we saw that there was an opportunity to really strengthen positions there that we thought could really help us be successful on offense."

Top 10 Thursdays – Top 10 Games to Watch This Season - Willypops, FanSpeak
Every year, there are a total of 256 regular season games played in the NFL. When you take a look at the comprehensive 17-week NFL schedule prior to the start of the season, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of the games don’t have much hype or intrigue associated with them. Those are games that are of interest mainly to just the fans of the two teams that are facing off. Well that, and all fantasy team owners!

Chip Kelly changes Eagles schedule, not road game routine - Jordan Ranaan, NJ.com
The plan is for them to have off on Monday during a regular week. They will then practice Tuesday through Saturday, with Friday and Saturday consisting of little more than walkthroughs. Under Reid the players were given off Tuesday, much like the rest of the NFL. They usually came to the facility on Monday for a few hours to watch tape and, sometimes, for a team meeting. After big wins, Reid often gave the team off until Wednesday.

Chip Kelly thinks time of possession is overrated - Geoff Mosher, CSN Philly
He's correct.

More from Bleeding Green Nation:

• Eagles strength and conditioning coaches ranked Michael Vick #1 "in terms of attitude, work ethic," etc
• How important is Defense in the NFL?
• The Eagles are trendsetters when it comes to player-for-player trades
• PSA: Time change for next Eagles open practice
• Eagles hire former offensive tackle Tra Thomas as an offensive assistant coach

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