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IT'S GAMEDAY!
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James Keane - @JeromesFriend
Brent Cohen - @EaglesRewind
Mark Saltveit - @taoish
Let's get to the links:
5 Eagles Questions with Bleeding Green Nation - John Gennaro, Bolts from the Blue
I answered some questions for our Chargers friends.
Eagles vs Chargers: Pre-game notes - Brent Cohen, BGN
The Key to the Game (the only one). As I just explained, the Eagles CBs might have trouble defending the Chargers passing attack. How does the team counter? With a disruptive D-Line. Given the lack of rushing threat, I expect to see Trent Cole in full pass-rush mode for most of this game. I hope Vinny Curry will be active, that would help. I also expect to see Kendricks on multiple blitzes and Brandon Graham for more than 16 defensive snaps. Basically, Bill Davis will do everything he can to get to Rivers before Rivers can get to the CBs.
Game Preview – SD at PHI - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
The Eagles home opener is Sunday at 1pm. Has there been this much hype for a home opener in recent years? I sure can’t recall a situation like this unless you go back to TO’s debut. Let’s set the excitement aside and talk football.
Re-Thinking the 2nd Half Strategy - Mark Saltveit
Did Chip Kelly make a rookie coaching mistake by letting Washington get back into game 1 after halftime? The Eagles still won, but only by six points, and fans were understandably nervous with 1:14 left in the game when the Redskins’ onside kick was on the ground, in play, for anyone to grab.
Eagles' defense has to be ready for ton of snaps - Reuben Frank, CSN Philly
Based solely on the Washington game, the Eagles’ defense is on pace to allow 1,120 snaps this year. That would be the second-most snaps any NFL defense has faced since 2000, behind only the 2010 Titans (1,139). And when the offense sputters, that number can increase exponentially. The Redskins ran 49 second-half plays Monday night, and the strain on the Eagles’ defense was obvious. They allowed three late touchdowns before hanging on for a 33-27 win.
Unleashing The Fury Of Mychal Kendricks - Danta Klaus, PE.com
Second-year inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks had some shining moments as a rookie, finishing with 88 total tackles, including eight for loss. Yet he fell prey to struggles as the defense devolved and the season took a turn for a worst. After new defensive coordinator Bill Davis was hired and the shift to a 3-4 scheme became apparent, so too did the fact that Kendricks would be unleashed and have an even greater chance to fulfill his enormous potential.
Cheat Sheet: Eagles Defense Vs. Chargers Offense - Sheil Kapadia, Birds 24/7
The Eagles face a different style of offense this week with Philip Rivers and the Chargers, so this will be a good way to gauge how much Davis plans on changing his scheme on a weekly basis. Rivers completed just 14 of 29 passes against Houston; only Jacksonville’s Blaine Gabbert had a worse completion percentage in Week 1. The 31-year-old has not looked like the same player who went to four Pro Bowls. He’s thrown 36 interceptions in his last 33 starts.
Key Mismatches Favor the Eagles in Week 2 Versus the Chargers - Andrew Kulp, The700Level
Favorable: DeSean Jackson vs. Derek Cox
The Chargers’ best cornerback is Derek Cox, who they acquired from Jacksonville through free agency. So just to be clear, even the Jaguars – the Jaguars! – ultimately didn’t want the top corner now in San Diego.