Andy Reid’s Play Chart REVEALED [The 700 Level] — My favorite: Greg Lewis (Token Catch).  Buckhalter (Let him on field 1-2 snaps).  Baskett (Fade, use sparingly).

Reid reamed out the team [Bleeding Green Nation]

“I guess he felt his normal mild-mannered self wasn’t working,” linebacker Omar Gaither said. “With Coach Reid, when the volume goes up and he starts turning red, you start paying a little more attention.”

Does Marty Mornhinweg sound frustrated to you? [Bleeding Green Nation]

Was five carries in the first half enough to justify the extent to which the Eagles abandoned the run in Cincinnati (18 runs, 60 called passes)?

“No,” Mornhinweg said. “You make a good point. You’re right. It’s not enough.”

Mornhinweg was asked if it would make sense to play Correll Buckhalter more, with Brian Westbrook banged up.

“You’re right,” he said. “It does make sense.”

Although the Eagles lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-10 in last night’s meaningless preseason opener, there were still many positives that the Birds could walk away with from the contest.  For starters, our franchise quarterback, Donovan McNabb looked stellar in his limited action throwing for 97 yards on 10-13 passing.  We all know that #5 throws a great deep ball, but I must say that I was much more impressed by his accuracy on the shorter routes.  As a result of Donovan’s confidence in himself and his receivers, the Eagles offense scored 10 points in their first two drives downfield (28 yd FG-David Akers, 3-yd TD Jason Davis).

Another plus was the superb play of the Eagles first-round draft pick DeSean Jackson.  Jackson had 5 catches for 51 yards, his longest catch being a 19 yd reception, including the phenomenal grab shown in the video below this story.  DeSean also saw limited action on special teams where he returned 3 punts for a dismal 3 yards.  I look to see more from the rookie out of California in the return game in the second preseason game at Carolina on August 14th.

Coming into the game I was looking at four important components that the Eagles needed to impress me on in order for them to regain the NFC East dominance which we are all used to just two seasons ago.

1)      QB Play

2)      RB Play (besides B-West)

3)      Special Teams play

4)      Lineman Play (in protection and rush)

In all four of these categories, the Eagles did not disappoint.

– Although AJ Feeley had a chance to win the game in the closing seconds when he overthrew an open Kris Wilson in the end-zone, the overall QB play of all three QBs was satisfactory [McNabb 10-13 (97yds), Kolb 12-21 (81yds), Feeley 6-14 (51 yds)].

– As it was reported here by my colleague Zach Zawarski, Brian Westbrook got his lucrative new deal.  The details listed in this 52-page draft were so intricate however, that B-West was sidelined the first two quarters so that he had a chance to look over and understand the entire contract alongside Joe Banner.  This gave Eagles fans the chance to watch Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzo Booker, Tony Hunt, and Ryan Moats in action.  Buckhalter and Booker looked impressive and seem to be great compliments to the best running back and possibly best player in the league, Brian Westbrook.  Tony Hunt proved he can be relied on to gain 1 or 2 yards in the trenches when called upon.  Ryan Moats, who is trying very hard to make this Eagles team, played well and with a lot of heart.  Reluctantly, I must say that I just don’t see Moats making this year’s team.  His play on the field was more of an audition to showcase to other NFL teams scouts his ability to play, rather than for Eagles coaches and management.  I wish Ryan well, but I stand behind my opinion that there just is no room for him on this year’s roster.

– Special Teams dropped only one ball (L. Booker still gained positive yards) during returns yesterday, but atleast didn’t turn the ball over to the Steelers.  This in itself is definitely an improvement from last year when the Eagles were plagued by turnovers in the return game.  In addition, David “Moneyfoot” Akers should no signs of an ailing hamstring and looked to be in Pro-Bowl form.  Also, Sav Rocca punted the ball well.

–The lineman on both sides of the ball looked great.  In addition to Trent Cole, I was impressed by Jerome McDougle.  He seemed aggressive and made his presence felt at Heinz Field.  RG Max Jean-Gilles subbed in for Pro-Bowl G Shawn Andrews and also played very well.

–  Jay Vaidya

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Preseason Game 1 Injury Notes:

–CB Asante Samuel DNP (Hamstring)

–WR Reggie Brown DNP (Achilles)

–G Shawn Andrews DNP (Depression)

A great return game in the NFL ensures that the offense will have a shorter field to work with to score points against the opposing team.  Watching the Eagles’ offense last year, it became apparent that their explosive offense of years past was now incapable of scoring a touchdown, even while in the red-zone.  Settling for field goals (3pts) rather than scoring touchdowns (6pts), usually leads to loses in today’s NFL.  This is exactly what all Eagle fans saw last year- loses.  To make matters worse, our special teams weren’t all that special.  In fact, they were dismal.    The opening day game last year versus the Green Bay Fudge-Packers was a perfect example of this mediocrity shown by the Eagles Special Teams.  Rather than start the season with a great win at Green Bay, the Eagles Special Teams embarrassed themselves and their fans as they blew the game in the closing moments of the game by fumbling a kick return that would have most likely ended the game in their favor.  From that moment on, the Eagles return game was at best shaky, making Philly fans nationwide squirm in their seats every time a member of the Eagles Special Teams squad was waiving for a fair catch.

This year the Eagles Special Teams coordinator, Rory Segrest, doesn’t anticipate having the problems of last year due to the two new faces he has chosen to run kicks back for the Birds this year.  Although, the elusive and speedy DeSean Jackson was the obvious choice at punt returner, the position of kick returner was open to many players including Quintin Demps, JR Reed, Correll Buckhalter, Jamal Jones, and Lorenzo Booker.  Out of this group of able returnmen, RB Lorenzo Booker in his second year out of Florida State seems to be emerging as the as the clear leader of the pack.  Not only is he doing well on special teams, but on offense as well as the back-up to RB Brian Westbrook.  In Monday’s practice, Booker broke a 60-yd touchdown run on a reverse play followed by some great returns on special teams drills.  Similar to other great returnmen (i.e. Deion Sanders, Dante Hall, Devin Hester) both DeSean Jackson and Lorenzo Booker not only have speed, but great vision.  Both players seem to be able to see space and creases very well, sometimes before these gaps to run in even occur.  These intangible skills that both Jackson and Booker possess will give the Eagles a chance to put up six points every time they touch the ball without the offense even stepping onto the field.  This indeed would be a welcome gift to the Eagles and their fans.

–  Jay Vaidya