The Linc - Eagles and Analytics

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Pre-Season Review: Surprises and Disappointments - Brent Cohen, BGN
Regarding Sopoaga, I’d like to remind everyone that he is exactly as we expected him to be. HE WAS NOT GOOD LAST YEAR. We knew this. Nobody should be surprised by his underwhelming play. However, the team was converting to the 3-4 and it was imperative that they added someone with NT experience. That’s what they got. I’ve seen some speculation that he’s "saving it" for the regular season, but that seems like wishful thinking to me. At best, he’s a mediocre NT. Rather than be disappointed by that, remember that he’s just a place-holder until the team can fill his role permanently (maybe with Logan).

A Goode Move? - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
More than a few fans are upset that the Eagles kept Casey Matthews over Acho. I agree with that. I’ve said the last few weeks that Acho looked like the #3 ILB to me. I stick by that. I went back and re-watched 2 1/2 quarters of the Jets game to take another look at Acho, Matthews and Knott. I still like Acho best of them as an ILB. I do like Casey better in coverage and STs. Knott is the bottom of the group.

Chip Kelly, Michael Vick, and the Eagles Tempo - Chase Stuart, Football Perspective
The Patriots ran nearly 1200 plays while operating the fastest offense in the NFL last year, but we can’t forget that they have a future Hall of Fame quarterback running the show. Part of running so many plays is having an efficient quarterback who can convert on third downs, traits that Michael Vick has never consistently displayed. Other factors involved in running a lot of plays are bad — Detroit had 1,160 plays last year, the second most in the league, despite an average pace in normal situations. But the Lions threw 295 incomplete passes and were in hurry-up mode on the 4th quarter of lots of games in 2012. The Eagles defense looks to be terrible, which might mean lots of plays in the fourth quarter, but it will also likely limit the number of plays the offense will get to run (unless the defense gives up a lot of short drives, the other team will be able to bleed the clock). Forcing three-and-outs on defense is a great way to get more plays, but that doesn’t seem in the cards for the Eagles in 2013.

For Eagles, Halaby's analytics play big role - Geoff Mosher, CSN Philly
"No matter how much you like that guy, you’ve probably got to let him go," Roseman said. "We’ve been very disciplined in the past couple of years about doing that and making sure that we’re not taking a running back who runs a 4.9 [in the 40-yard dash] just because he runs really tough between the tackles and we like the physicality he shows on tape, because we know the chances he becomes a really good player in this league -- where talent really is the most important thing at this level -- are really low."

Kelly's 53-man roster runs contrary to Roseman's philosophy - Jeff McLane, Inquirer
In theory, and possibly in practice, Roseman's explanation makes sense. You want versatile players on your roster that can handle multiple tasks, especially if they're one of 46 players that dress on Sundays. Kelly has stressed this attribute since arriving. It's certainly been a concern for the coach, who had countless players at his disposal at Oregon. But it seems to run contrary to the philosophy Roseman has touted for two years -- take and keep the best players. It remains to be seen if McCoy, Harbor and Shepard were the best players. All three were claimed off waivers on Sunday. The Eagles brought Salas back to their practice squad. And we're talking about players low on the depth chart.

2013 Philadelphia Eagles Season Preview - Steve Shoup, Fanspeak
The Eagles probably won't make it out of the cellar of the NFC East this year, but it should be a much closer race. Chip Kelly's offense with its fast pace and creativity should get the most out of playmakers like Vick, McCoy and Jackson. The real test for this team will be their defense. Can they consistently get enough pressure on the quarterback and will the secondary hold up, are the two things likely to keep this team from making any sort of playoff run. While it won't be the season most Eagles fans are looking for, it should be an improvement and possibly set up a promising future.

Atlantic City Press publishes a story about Danny Watkins, uses Evan Mathis' photo - via r/Eagles
Poor Danny. Who would ever want to be mistaken for that Evan Mathis guy?

Panthers sign Quintin Mikell to one-year deal - Cat Scratch Reader
Q reunites with former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott in Carolina. The fans in the comments seem to be excited.

More from Bleeding Green Nation:

• Report: Former Eagles first-round pick Danny Watkins to sign with the Dolphins
• Eagles claim LB Najee Goode off of waivers from the Buccaneers; waive LB Emmanuel Acho
• Philadelphia Eagles 2013 season preview: SB Nation Q&A
• Podcast: 53 man roster breakdown, defense edition
• Podcast: 53 man roster breakdown, offense edition
• Getting to know the Eagles: Shaun Prater

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