Eagles/ vs. Ravens Review and Grades

Interior o line received the worst grades. D line was horrible, evident by inability to stop the run and get to the QB on key third downs. The Ravens consistently blitzed up the middle and off the edge and we could not stop it whatsoever. Highest grades were received by Brent Celek, Kevin Kolb, Brian Westbrook, Broderick Bunkley, Sav Rocca, Rashad Barksdale, and Nick Graham.

QB

AJ Feeley- Looked ok to me. Made a couple nice throws but missed on a wide open Reggie Brown on the sideline. Made a nice pass to Curtis for an 8 yard gain. His struggle was mostly not his own, as he was given zero pass protection, evident by the Ravens constant blitz. He really didn't show much other than the fact that he's no more than a number 2 or 3 quarterback. Grade: C.

Kelly Holcomb- Looked better than AJ last night. Similar to AJ he was pressured in every series but unlike AJ he made several very nice passes and threw a very nice ball. Made a fantastic pass to Greg Lewis on the right sideline in tight space during a pass rush, which was very impressive. He hit almost everyone in stride and displayed much more promise than AJ Feeley really. Grade: B.

Kevin Kolb- Definitely looked confident throwing into coverage last night and hit his man not only in stride but in between multiple defenders. Quick feet, quick release, strong arm, great swagger, good mentality- looks like a Garcia clone. Most importantly what he showed last night was that he CAN read a blitz and he CAN make both passes long and short. At first I thought he was just a system QB who can throw short and accurate passes, but this guy simply has a gun. I am very encouraged with our future QB. Give him 2 years to learn the system and this guy could be deadly, I really mean that. Even though his stats may not show it, I really like what I saw from him. He was hampered by drops and fumbles by the WRs and I don't believe the fumble was his fault. Showed lots of promise with his accuracy in tight spaces and down the field. Grade: A minus.

RB

Brian Westbrook- Didn't have any help from his o line, but he displayed exactly what we saw from the second half of last season. Loved the screen pass that he broke for over 20 yards. Get him a couple of series on Friday against the Panthers and then keep him out of the remaining 2 preseason games. We can't afford him getting hurt and he is the most important piece to our offense. Grade: A.

Correll Buckhalter- Due to the lack of effort by the o line, didn't do anything really, rushing and in the passing game. Didn't show any burst getting through the gaps and looked indecisive. Not much to talk about here other than the fact that he didn't impress. Missed big time in the blocking game, on multiple plays looking completely lost. Did not pick on the blitz. Grade: D minus.

Tony Hunt- Couldn't get much done in the running game, no one did, but did show something in the passing game, getting 2 catches for 11 yards. He didn't get to show his 3rd and short ability due to way too many 3rd and longs by the offense. Shame. Hopefully Friday we'll get to see it. Did show a decent burst on one run up the middle, but got pushed back on the rest. Impressed me more than Buck last night. Grade: C.

Ryan Moats- May have had a career ending injury. If you didn't have half a tear going down your face when you saw him on the ground and in the stretcher, you're not an Eagles fan. Such a shame. He was never going to make the team but you never want to see a player go down like that. Wasn't it hilarious how the Ravens broadcasters kept talking about this guys injury and how it will hamper the chances of the Eagles season? And Pat Burrell is a fast runner (thank you Joe Morgan) lol!. Grade: I'll give him an A because he'll need it lol.

Nate Ilaoa- Didn't show the burst I was hoping, looked pretty big for such a small guy out there. Looked ok. Nothing in the run game, but showed something in the passing game, which is his strength. Grade: C minus.

FB

Thomas Tapeh- Was he on the field? lol. Seriously, didn't do a thing. Poor blocking, no carries, receptions. Did not impress. Grade: F.

Jason Davis- Looked much more impressive than Tapeh as he made a decent carry up the middle, in his only carry lol. Did a better job blocking IMO than Tapeh, which isn't saying anything really. Grade: C minus.

WR

Reggie Brown- Made a nice catch for 6 yards near the sideline but other than that did not do much. Much due to the lack of pass protection, he didn't have the opportunity to shine. Looks like the real deal and I believe he's ready to take that third year WR step. Grade: C.

Kevin Curtis- One nice catch for 9 yards on the first play of the game. Looked smooth and ran a quick route effectively. Grade: C.

Jason Avant- He's still the physical, great blocking WR he was last season. Made a reception for 12 yards, and that's it really. Reliable, consistent, physical, a great possesion receiver and a great run blocker that will fit in very well in this offense- no wonder why the Eagles FO loves this kid. Grade: C plus.

Hank Baskett- Showed great hands catching a ball for 9 yards in between two defenders. Grade: C plus.

Jeremy Bloom- Made a couple really good catches in between defenders and took the hit well. Showed excellent hands. Those two receptions will go a long way in him making the team. If he does that again on Friday he's a lock to make the team, due to his punt return and kickoff return ability. Showed an excellent juke on one punt return. Showed great acceleration and quickness, but had no holes or gaps to run in between as the special teams were aweful just like the o line. With better blocking he has potential. Grade: B.

Greg Lewis- Made a great catch on the sideline on 3rd down for 10 yards, but it was an even better throw by Holcomb. Shows that he's an excellent 3rd down receiver, which made him effective last year. The progress of Avant and Baskett will make it hard for the Eagles to keep him but he'll definitely have a job somewhere else. Grade: B minus.

TE

Brent Celek- What a performance by Celek. He showed exactly what reports out of TC have reported. Runs excellent routes, great hands, great ability after the catch and is very advanced for his time in the offense. What else can be said that has already been said? Grade: A plus.

O Line

William Thomas- Got beat off the edge and on one play his man got the sack. Could not read the blitz coming off the edge. Did not seem prepared or into the game whatsoever. Grade: D.

Todd Herremens- This is where it got ugly. Ravens blitzed up the middle on a consistent basis, which really did not fit well with Herremens. From all the progress he has reportedly been given during TC, I'm left unimpressed. Grade: D minus.

Jamaal Jackson- Similar to Herremens. Was outmatched by the Ravens blitz. Seemed lost. Could not run block or show anything that made him a top center in the league last season. Grade: D minus.

I don't even need to go further with the rest of the o line. It was simply pathetic. Scott Young, Max Jean Gilles, etc, etc were all noticably bad. Not giving them all an F but they could very well deserve it. Isn't this position our strength? They looked like they have never seen a blitz before and very unmotivated. Very very very poor showing. Way to represent guys.

D Line

Broderick Bunkley- Must be consistent if the Eagles want to get to the Super Bowl. I truly believe it's as simple as this: If the Eagles stop the run, they're the best team in the NFC. Bunk is a huge huge part of that and so much is riding on him. It was good to see a sign to see him so effective in the run game. Made two GREAT plays getting the running at the LOS. A completely different player than last year. This is the guy we drafted in the early-mid first round. Great showing. Grade: A.

Mike Patterson- Was really nonexistent. Didn't show anything. HAS to play better, especially when our blitzing linebackers don't do anything. He's not there for his run defense, so he has to pick it up and become a factor. Got eaten up on several run plays over 10 yards. Grade: D.

Trent Cole- Did not show any kind of pass rush or help against the run. Did not even come close to making a tackle. Very poor showing. MUST play better. Grade: D minus.

Jevon Kearse- Similar to Cole. Not one tackle. Don't really care though. As long as he stays healthy really. Grade: D minus.

Juke Thomas- Made a couple nice tackles, especially one getting the RB from behind. Still the good blitzing rotational guy we expect. Grade: C.

Victor Abiamiri- I was pretty impressed by his play. Made a couple nice tackles in the backfield and showed good strength against the run. Performed the best out of our group of DEs. He's a lock to make the roster from his overall game against the pass and run. I like it. Seemed to be the only guy wanting to make the final roster on the d line. Grade: A minus.

Jerome McDougle- completely nonexistent. Not making the roster. Grade: F.

LB

Takeo Spikes: Didn't show much really. Not exactly sure how much he played really. Didn't notice. Only made one tackle. Hope to see more on Friday. Grade: D.

Chris Gocong: Made a great tackle along the sideline, but that's about it. Grade: C.

Jeremiah Trotter- Could not get off blocks on several plays, and on one big run. I didn't see the improved, quicker Trotter. Not a good sign. Grade: D minus.

Stewart Bradley- Showed flashes getting into the backfield but took several bad angles allowing for big runs. Must improve reading defenses. Definitely out of position at Mike linebacker. Seems to be better than Simoneau, which is a breathe of fresh air. Needs time, maybe a year to learn the defense. Grade: B.

Omar Gaither- Very unimpressed by Gaither. Looked lost, especially when he completely let up on getting Boller out of bounds, allowing him to run for an extra ten yards. Could have been due to the lack of players around him. Must improve. Grade: D.

Tank Daniels- Made one good tackle on a pass but that's about it. Nonexistent in the run defense. Will not play this year at linebacker. Still a project. May get some time on special teams but that's it. Grade: D plus.

Matt McCoy- Looked much better than last year getting off of blocks and wrapping up RBs in stride. I was really impressed with him as he looked stronger, more physical and decisive than last year. Not big but a fastball linebacker that can play some snaps in nickel situations. Will definitely make the roster and be effective on special teams. Grade: B plus.

CB

Sheldon Brown- I didn't even notice him on the field. Did he play lol? Grade: Incomplete.

William James- Got beat on a big 3rd down play that led to a score. Didn't seem into the game. Looked lost. Definitely not starting over Sheldon Brown this year. Must improve for our pass defense to be effective. Kinda worried here. Grade: D minus.

Joselio Hansen- Made several nice tackles and broke up on pass play on defense. Looks more confident this season after a year under his belt. I think he'll make the roster. Grade. C.

Rashad Barksdale- VERY impressed by this kid. He just looks natural out there in the backfield. Was all over the field, broke up a deep pass in the end zone and was a great tackler. I don't think he missed one tackle. He has excellent size too. Great pick and he has much potential. I think he'll make the team as the last DB. Much less of a project that I thought. Grade: A plus.

Nick Graham- Like Barksdale he was all over the field. Great performance to get his name out there. Excelled in garbage time and looked like he belonged. Grade: A.

S

Sean Considine- Very strong performance in coverage by a key player in the first preseason game. Must be a consistent tackler against the run. Seems to be a smart player. Was horrible blitzing and could not get off the line at all. Do not blitz this guy. Grade: B minus.

P

Dirk Johnson- Had a pretty good game actually punting the ball. Grade: B plus.

Sav Rocca- Excellent performance today. Punted one ball from the back of the end zone to the opposing teams 30 yard line! WHAT?! That's what I've been waiting to see. I believe Rocca has taken the lead as the teams first string punter. Hopefully it continues. Grade: A plus.