Eagles News: Jordan Hicks is a bright spot on Philadelphia's defense

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Eagle Eye: Promising Debut For LB Hicks - PE.com
While we’re on the topic of young players stepping into the spotlight, let’s discuss rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks. The team’s third-round pick out of Texas saw increased playing time against the Cowboys with both Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks out of the lineup due to injury, and I thought he fared well. He gave up a long catch to Lance Dunbar (a player I highlighted in the Dallas preview piece last week), but overall I think Hicks had a strong performance in his first defensive snaps as a pro.

Eagles aren't getting much production from Chip Kelly's draft picks - PhillyVoice
Since Chip Kelly became the Eagles' head coach, the Eagles have made 21 draft picks. Only 10 were active Week 2 against the Cowboys, and only five were starters. The Eagles are simply not getting enough production from their young players while many other teams around the league are. Let's take a look at all 21 of the Eagles' picks the last three years, and where they stand with the team.

The Eagles Passing Game is a Hot Mess - ChipWagon
2 games into Bradford’s tenure and he looks nothing like that QB. We saw a glimpse with the 2nd half performance against the Falcons of what Bradford can potentially be when the offense is in rhythm. Unfortunately, up to this point the offense hasn’t found a rhythm and Bradford might be the major culprit. So far, he looks like an inaccurate, in over his head, inconsistent 2 reads and a cloud of dust QB. Surely, Sam is not the only guy to blame on what has been a dreadful offense to start the season, but in the end he’s had pretty good pass protection across the board and has had numerous opportunities to overcome some of the struggles in the run game. His defense has kept him in the game, and when the team absolutely needs a play, you expect that to come from the highest paid member of your franchise. Sam hasn’t been up to the task. Let’s have a look at a couple of themes I spotted on Sunday.

Context - Iggles Blitz
The Eagles are 0-2. They look like one of the worst teams in the league. Chip Kelly should be fired. All the players should be cut or traded. Nuclear missiles should be fired at the NovaCare Complex just to be safe. According to the CDC, bad football can be highly contagious. And then…only then…can we start to have a reasonable discussion about this team. At least that’s about the way things feel. Football season is a marathon, not a sprint. I knew there would be some bumps in the road. I just figured they would be potholes and not the friggin Marianas Trench.

Eagles' Byron Maxwell says critics don't matter - NJ.com
However, Maxwell says that he's doing his best to block out the noise as preparations for Week 3 against the Jets get underway Tuesday.  "It's one of them things," Maxwell said following Tuesday's practice at the NovaCare Complex. "Obviously I didn't experience it before. My mind was getting ready because I know I'm the new guy coming in with a big contract, when you're a free agent giving up touchdowns they're going to be on you.

Has Chip Kelly's offensive scheme lost its luster? - Daily News
The Eagles' offensive struggles through the first two weeks of the season are ugly even when you move beyond the context of the bar Kelly has set for himself. They are one of only four teams since 2000 to combine for 70 or fewer rushing yards in their first two games, joining the 2012 Raiders (4-12), the 2012 Titans (6-10) and the 2006 Bucs (4-12) Since 1990, 21 teams have entered their third game with 100 or fewer rushing yards. Those teams were 3-39 in those games, and only three of them went on to qualify for the postseason.

Eagles Key Plays: How They Happened - Birds 24/7
How it happened: Dallas already ran this play earlier in the game, but Philadelphia had much more trouble this time around. McCray came through untouched after one Cowboy slanted inside and McCray and another Cowboy looped around. However, personal protector Chris Maragos couldn't block McCray because the Cowboy who slanted inside got past Jon Dorenbos and Maragos had to block the inside rusher.

Which of the NFL's 0-2 teams are screwed? - SB Nation
Philadelphia Eagles (Net Points: minus-12): Perhaps the most disappointing team in the league -- and further proof that preseason football is meaningless. Shiny new quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown twice as many interceptions (four) as touchdowns (two). Shiny new running back DeMarco Murray is averaging 0.5 (!) yards per carry. Shiny new cornerback Byron Maxwell has allowed opposing receivers to amass a total of oh, around 4,321 yards and 92 touchdowns in just two games. Shiny new coach Chip Kelly is likely polishing up the old resume and sending it out to athletic directors everywhere. Football in Philadelphia is back, and as good as ever.

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