Random Thoughts...

[Wings]

1. This team looks like it is so well coached. I loved Andy Reid, but Chip clearly has all these guys so well prepared for the season. The Eagles look light years ahead of everyone else in terms of technique and education of the system. This team is ready to start the season right now.

2. Sam Bradford looks extremely poised in the pocket....The ball absolutely jumps out of his hand, after watching him 2 weeks right now, seeing how he is moving around, and watching him take a hit to that knee, and a hit that damn near broke his jaw, i'm no longer concerned about that knee. I still say Chip got ripped off at the time of the trade, as i said the day it happened, I don't care if Bradford turns into a pro bowler, considering the circumstances at the time, Chip clearly over paid for him....Now I see why! I loved Bradford coming out of college, and he looks like that guy again!

3. Eric Rowe is gonn be a star, he needs time, but he is gonna be awesome

4. Nolan Carrol looks good, looks very fast.

5. Our D-line looks insane!

6. Very concerned about the health of our Lb's.

7. Our Special teams might actually be even better than last year, if that is even possible.

8. Demarco Murray, Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles look Lethal!!! Hell you can even throw KB in there as well....No more Dancing with the Stars!!!!

9. I expected to see a lot more out our young Wr's....Huff has hardly played all preseason, and Agholor has shown a few flashes.....I hope game 4 the youngsters put on a show.

10. Walter Thurmond seems like a real find at safety.

 

[old duke]

Good points.
Disagree on Reid though. He didn't think fast on his feet. Did like him for a long time, but he lost his way.
Amazing how we never have to wait for the plats to come in. So, no delay of game penalties.
Chip didn't get ripped off. That was he had to pay for SB, because Cleveland wanted him.
Agree on everything else.

 

[Iggloo]

I think some of the assistants Chip has assembled are top notch teachers, and better than Reid's bunch.

Guys like Jeff Stoutland coaching the o-line after coaching at Alabama, Jerry Azzinaro coaching the d-line after coming with Chip from Oregon; Dave Fipp on special teams, Cory Undlin in the secondary--all their units seem very well coached.

The technique of the secondary guys in particular looks VASTLY improved over a year ago, in terms of the press coverage. They did give up a few longer plays last night, but in general they have really cut down on longer pass plays, and have become much better at knocking out balls and contesting catches on intermediate routes by getting physical with receivers while they are trying to bring the ball down and complete the reception.

 

[Iggloo]

On Bradford, while I think he has pretty good zip on his balls, what is impressive is the ACCURACY.

He made some very subtle adjustments last night depending on who he was throwing to that were beautiful. He his Sproles on those wheel routes with perfect touch, not putting it too high for the short guy, dropping it in there right where he could use his quickness and speed to separate.

By contrast when he threw it to Matthews, who wins with size, he put it high where the receiver could post up the defender. Details like that impressed the heck out of me. This guy if healthy and well protected can be an extremely pinpoint passer.

 

[swat]

An accurate passer who doesnt turn the ball over is what we've been looking for since....well, forever. It seems we finally found him. That accuracy will be the end to our redzone issues once and for all. If Bradford works out.... this is his Hershel Walker trade.

On D. We gonna be nasty. The Thurmond signing was HUGE. MAxwell is gonna be damn good. Rowe will get there, be it at CB or S..you can tell that dude is gonna be a damn good player.

We should be good to great this year but we have room to get even better next year. Add in a couple of OL, a young QB to groom, another skill guy to come off the bench, Dion Jordan in trade or off waivers & another couple of DBs & this team is looking like its gonna be good for a long time.

Some vets probably in their last season as Eagles...Celek, Ryans & Jenkins (least likely but still possible w/ 7m cap hit next year). Gotta get another S if Rowe is gonn stay at CB. Tashaun Gipson will be a FA. I do like Couplins potential tho.

 

[Iggloo]

On Rowe, he has his ups and downs. He blew several coverages out there, is clearly still thinking like a safety sometimes, peeking at the QB too much etc. But he is physical and has the tools to be a good boundary corner in a press scheme. I suspect he and Carroll alternate this season, playing inside and outside depending on matchups and situations etc.

 

[Rey]

The best thing about the Offense will be their balance. Defenses can't key on anything with 3 excellent options at RB constantly rotating in (4 if Barner suits up). Matthews in the slot is a mismatch nightmare as well ... does any other team use a guy that big in the slot? The second teams cheat up on the run Matthews runs free in the middle of the field. Now you add an after the catch play maker in Agholor to keep the D's honest and it adds up to a very solid Offense. I don't know if you will see huge #'s this year from any one player and that's how I think Chip wants it. Team philosophy as opposed to "look at me" or "stats" type guys.

 

[Wings]

I think Matthews gonna put up huge numbers Rey....Double digit Td's for sure.

 

[Birds4life81]

I can see Matthews having a 85/1300/11 type year. We're going to pound the rock and then utilize every single playmaker we have on this offense -- which is a lot. Matthews is the clear #1 target. I fully expect Sproles to be utilized a good amount in the passing game, him and Bradford seem have a good rapport. Once Ertz gets back, he will be another great weapon to go along with Agholor and Huff. Our starting O-line looks damn good, we just need to stay relatively healthy here. This is going to be a nasty offense that defenses will struggle to contain. Our ST should be tops once again in the league, and I can see this defense having a big time year: top 5-10. We're going to make a run this year, that's for damn sure.

 

[L.Freamon]

This is the closest we've looked to 2013 Week 1 vs Washington. It's gonna be fun.

 

[Wings]

I hope Demarco runs for 1,500 plus yds and 12 plus tds!!!

 

[old duke]

I'd like that too, but think that Chip will spread out the carries so much that Murray and Matthews will both get similar carries. Matthews is much stronger than I thought. So, that said, it wouldn't surprise me if DeMarco gets close to 1500; Ryan gets 1000; and Sproles 500, or something close to those numbers.

 

[Iggloo]

I drafted Matthews is in fantasy in the third round. Might be a little high, but hey, I wanted him.

I am leery of Murray because I truly think Chip is going to spread those carries. He will lose a lot of goal line TDs to Ryan Mathews and shorter p[assing TDs to Sproles.