Eagles first team recap: Cameron Johnston looked good

The Eagles second preseason game isn’t over yet, but the first team offense and defense are done for the night. One of them never really got started.

The Eagles first team offense (well, 7.5/11ths of it, with Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffery, and Nelson Agholor sidelined) looked brutal. The offensive line put Nick Foles under pressure too often, Foles was inaccurate even when he had a clean pocket, and none of the receivers stepped up. The only positives were that Jay Ajayi ran hard and Cameron Johnston got a lot of chances to show that his practice performance isn’t representative of his game performance.

Offense

It sure looked like the preseason on the first drive as Nick Foles overthrew a pass, Jay Ajayi bobbled a toss for a six yard loss, and then Foles put just a touch too much on a pass to Ajayi. At least Cameron Johnston got a rep. First drive: D. At least they didn’t turn the ball over.

Did Shelton Gibson’s 46 yard return spark the offense? No. Ajayi ran a hard eight yards on the first play, but then Stefen Wisniewski false started, Foles and Kamar Aiken couldn’t connect on what should have been an easy first down, and then Foles was sacked. Cameron Johnston getting chances to show he belongs though! Second drive: D.

Bryce Treggs, yes, Bryce Treggs gets the first reception and first down for the Eagles offense on their third series. Foles does a nice job evading a sack then holds onto the ball too long and takes a sack. He hasn’t been sharp all game. Third drive: D, which is now renamed CJ for Cameron Johnston.

Jay Ajayi is running like it’s the regular season. He’s the one bright spot all game for the first team offense. Just when the offense was starting to get it together, Nick Foles was hurt on a sack and the Patriots recover a fumble for a TD. Fourth drive: F.

With the majority of the first team still in, Nate Sudfeld enters and keeps the offense in its rhythm of crap. Wendell Smallwood made an appearance! Fifth drive: CJ.

After five possessions, Doug Pederson thankfully, mercilessly, took out his first team. The defense had a good night though.

Defense

To start the game, the defense picked up where the offense left off with a legit penalty, giving up a 22 yard run, and a Tom Brady touchdown pass as Avante Maddox got beat by Chris Hogan. And we got another taste of the new and stupid helmet rule. First drive: F.

The second series for the defense featured inconsistent officiating (shocker!), but the players held their own. Ronald Darby nearly had a deep interception, though since it was third down it didn’t matter. Sidney Jones had a solid tackle to prevent a first down. Good series. Second drive: B.

The defense got a little lucky on the third series as Hogan dropped a wide open pass, and the dumb new penalties hurt them. Jordan Hicks had a good, clean open field tackle on third down to force a field goal attempt. Third drive: C.

The Patriots offense and a strong running game aren’t synonymous, but the Eagles first defense is doing a nice job against the Patriots first team rush offense. Brady gets a gift no call on intentional grounding, but it doesn’t matter as the Patriots go three and out. Fourth drive: B.

Real games begin in three weeks.