Rob Ellis: Give These Young Eagles Time
Three preseason quarters does not an informed decision make.
Sixty minutes are all we’ve seen from the Eagles’ first-team offense thus far in the pre-historically early going. Yet there is a consensus from a certain segment of the Birdland populous that, among other things: Kevin Kolb can’t play, the O-line is a collective turnstile, and the play-calling has less balance than Lindsey Lohan after a night out clubbing. All after just two exhibitions.
The 2010 Eagles have undergone a major overhaul, and with change comes trepidation. So concern about an unproven, minimally tested quarterback is understandable. Consternation over an offensive line that gave up eight sacks and paved the way for just 93 rushing yards in the final two games of last season makes sense. But making pronouncements on Aug. 20-something before a real game has been played is a bit premature even for a fan base not known for its patience.
Andy Reid’s charges have looked like anything but a finished product. But isn’t that the point of the preseason? Aren’t they supposed to be working out the kinks? Should a team that gathered a month ago at Lehigh needing name tags already be in midseason form?
The answer, of course, is no. This is not Donovan McNabb on auto-pilot playing a few preseason series, lining up in front of Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan and handing off to Brian Westbrook for the umpteenth year. It is going to take some time for this young group to get acclimated.
Granted the Birds have not looked good, as going 0-for-4 in touchdowns scored in the red zone is cause for concern. That’s been an issue with the Eagles for years. And it speaks more to the carpenter (Reid) than his tools (the players). So that needs to be fixed, preferably by Sept. 12.
But now is the time to work on these kinds of things when the games don’t count. Kolb has the poise, skill and weapons to be successful. The wideouts are threats deep and in the slot. The tight end had nearly 1,000 yards receiving last year. And the running backs can beat you on the outside and between the tackles. Reid’s play-calling – while maddening at times – has been successful in this league. So the pieces are in place.
The offensive line is perhaps the most legit gripe. The Birds chose not to draft or bring in a veteran center with any real experience, knowing Jamaal Jackson may not be ready to return Week 1 from December ACL surgery, a calculated risk.
Mike McGlynn struggled Friday night against the Bengals. A knee injury suffered in camp has Nick Cole’s status up in the air. So center is an iffy proposition. Only time will tell if Stacy Andrews is capable of handling right-guard duties. Todd Herremans just returned and has not yet played in a preseason game. Despite a Pro Bowl bid last year, Jason Peters has been inconsistent with the Eagles.
Michael Vick’s role/purpose aside from being a backup appears to be a work in progress. One thing is for sure: He better not be so giving with the ball when it counts.
Granted, there are questions. But we still have nearly three weeks to go until the Eagles play the Packers in the midnight green. And this week vs. the Chiefs when “the ones” will play deeper into the game, we may get a better feel for whether this team is making the necessary improvements. We may not.
As noted poet Axl Rose once said: “All we need is just a little patience.”
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