PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles will have nearly two weeks to sleep on their disastrous performance in the final preseason game of the summer before they open the season against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil on Sept. 6. They were barely competitive in their 26-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
Chances are they can sleep well considering they drafted a roster full of players who will likely be looking for a job, whether on the team’s practice squad or with another team, by the end of Tuesday when the cuts hit, or maybe sooner if the Eagles start trimming their roster beforehand.
In fact, they lost the ball three times, one time due to a fumble by running back Ty Davis-Price and quarterback Tanner McKee, and the other time due to an interception by McKee.
The offense was also 0 of 6 on the fourth attempt.
However, the defense had four sacks.
Every mistake and every good play is highlighted in the final preseason game. A bad play can lead to you being fired and looking for a job, or a good play can get you on the team.
Here are some good and bad aspects with a verdict on the squad chances:
Nolan Smith. He was the most notable of the top players. He was barely seen in the replays he got.
Verdict: Simple – duty roster.
I’m Cooper DeJean. The second-round rookie made his first appearance of the summer and it was a mixed bag. His illegal contact penalty negated a Tristin McCollum interception and a 35-yard return on the Vikings’ first series.
Verdict: Simple – duty roster.
I’m Tristin McCollum. Strong day for the safety with nine tackles, a strong preseason and a solid amp.
Verdict: duty roster.
Dylan McMahon. He played center the entire time and although he was difficult to judge, he didn’t seem overwhelmed. Is he ready to play as a backup center?
Verdict. duty roster.
Julian Okwara. There are many positives to the linebacker/edge rusher’s play on Saturday and his training camp in general. He had one sack and three quarterback hits. Is there still room for him?
Verdict: Cut.
Zech McPhearson. A pass interference penalty on defense and shabby coverage on Saturday.
Verdict: Cut.
Joseph Ngata. Two drops in particular stand out. The first was on third down in the red zone, which forced a field goal. The second happened in the fourth quarter, when a ball bounced through his hands near the 5 and was intercepted by the Vikings.
Verdict: Cut.
Ainias Smith. The fifth-round rookie seems to have finally cracked the NFL code, and after some struggles during training camp, he has come on strong, recording six catches for 36 yards against the Vikings.
Verdict: duty roster.
Thomas Booker. The defensive tackle was a threat for most of the afternoon, finishing with four tackles and a QB hit, and had such a good camp that he earned some praise from Vic Fangio.
Verdict: duty roster.
Ben Van Sumeren. The linebacker did not make the original roster last year as a non-drafted free agent, but impressed with six tackles, including a sack, and a good training camp.
Verdict. duty roster.
Eli Ricks. He was beaten by a 21-yarder on Minnesota’s 13-play, 80-yard march that took 7:06 minutes; he just wasn’t consistent enough.
Verdict: Cut.
Leo Nichols. He had two chances to get a first down on back-to-back runs, but failed both times. He failed on the third and first attempts, and lost a yard on the fourth attempt after a close tackle.
Verdict: Cut.
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