Evaluating the Eagles’ quarterbacks in Week 1 of preseason action

Just one day after I hyped up the importance of Nate Sudfeld’s performance this preseason, the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in a bit of a pickle. With a broken wrist requiring surgery, Sudfeld will likely miss at least two regular season games. It’s a shame, because Sudfeld played well and showed off his willingness to sling deep.

If the Eagles are looking for answers during his absence, it’s not looking so great, as you may have noticed if you watched the other two quarterbacks in action last night. I talked with Mark Schofield on The QB Scho Show #28 to break down each performance from the Eagles’ quarterback room last night. Here’s what he had to say...

On Nate Sudfeld...

“I thought he had a great night... you mentioned the early deep shot to [JJ Arcega-Whiteside]... they got the one-on-one coverage there and he put a good ball out in front of him. JAW just couldn’t quite come down with it...

The touchdown throw to [Marken Michel] was sort of a MILLS type concept, inside receiver on a dig, outside receiver on a post. They got cover 4 which basically like you said it’s one-on-one coverage because that safety dives down on the dig and that leaves you one-on-one on the corner, and the corner is going to be using outside leverage because he expects he might have some safety help. And so it was an ideal situation, perfect ball, great trajectory on it.

I thought he had a great night... I think his position on the Eagles is quite solidified.”

On Cody Kessler...

“His best play last night was probably an incompletion that he underthrew. Because he evaded the sack, what could’ve been a safety, the left guard got beat off the snap and he had a free rusher at him and he did a great job of evading that... Velocity is a big ‘ol question mark for Cody Kessler and he didn’t have enough to get it on this little flare route... It’s hard to feel excited about what he did... It wasn’t inspiring.”

On Clayton Thorson...

“Similar to Kessler, the best thing that I can say about him is that he climbed the pocket well. That’s it. The first throw that really sticks out in your mind is the interception where he does a tremendous job climbing the pocket, handles the pocket pressure well... and then just airmails it. I mean, this thing looked like a mortar shot coming out of his hand and he airmailed a number of throws...

I was wondering is his release point off? Is he just over excited? It’s just a mess... I don’t know what’s going on but he needs to figure this out in a hurry.”

You can hear more of this analysis and more on other quarterback performances last night by listening to The QB Scho Show #28! Hear it on the media player below or click here if the player doesn’t load.

We were a little less restrained concerning Thorson on The Kist & Solak Show #109, which also recaps the Eagles-Titans Week 1 preseason game and other individual performances. Click here or listen on the media player below. New to podcasts? Check out our guide on how to listen to BGN! FLY EAGLES FLY!