Eagles Good, Bad & Ugly: Birds Wrap Up Preseason Undefeated
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — The Eagles finished a very successful preseason at 4-0 under new head coach Doug Pederson after finishing the New York Jets, 14-6, Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field. But that will mean little next week when they host the Cleveland Browns.
What does bode exceptionally well for the future, and what could be real is the Eagles' defense. They forced 11 turnovers, which included nine interceptions, two stats that led the NFL.
It's also the template of how the Eagles will need to win this year: Attacking defense and strong special teams to compensate for spotty quarterback play and a dubious offense.
The Good
Receiver Paul Turner seems to have cemented a spot on the team. He caught six passes for 66 yards, and was targeted seven times. He averaged 11 yards a catch and showed off some speed that he wasn't supposed to have, when he returned a punt 71 yards in the second quarter for the Eagles' first score. In four preseason games, Turner caught 16 passes to lead all receivers this summer in receptions. His 17 receptions for 165 yards led the Eagles in both categories.
Receiver Dorial Green-Beckham could be a star. The rangy two-year receiver caught two passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he made adjustments in his routes during the game, something he supposedly was lax in while with the Tennessee Titans.
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Defensive end Steven Means may have outplayed former first-round pick Marcus Smith, but Means certainly made an argument for himself with a sack and a lot of pressures.
Linebacker Quentin Gause may have helped himself as a special teamer.
Safety Ed Reynolds II had his moments this preseason, like missing a block that led to a blocked punt and an Indianapolis touchdown last week. But he helped himself with a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Defensive end and special teams' demon Bryan Braman was never in danger of being cut. But he proved he could be an emergency defensive end, if the Eagles need it. His pressure led to Reynolds' TD return.
The Bad
Cornerback JaCorey Shepherd once was projected to be a contributor at nickel corner. It's a shame, but it doesn't seem as if he's ever recovered from the season-ending ACL injury he suffered last preseason. Shepherd was stung on a 44-yard touchdown covering former Temple star Robby Anderson.
Tight end Chris Pantale looks like he couldn't catch a watermelon if it was thrown to him. He caught three passes and was targeted six times.
The Ugly
The Eagles' quarterback play. Chase Daniel was putrid against New York's second- and third-teamers. The most-overpriced quarterback in the NFL was 14 for 22 for 131 yards and two interceptions. He averaged 6 yards a completion. Then Daniel's backup, McLeod Bethel-Thompson competed his first six passes, and finished 13 of 16 for 82 yards, completing an average of 5.1 yards a pass.