First things first, the big news of the day, Michael Vick is cleared to play starting Week 3 for the Eagles. What does this mean from a Birds perspective? It definitely signals the end of AJ Feeley’s stay in Philadelphia, but on a more positive note this is very good news for both Vick and the Eagles.
Had Vick been held out of action till Week 6 (as initially rumored) the Eagles would already have five games in the books without him and he could potentially knock the offense out of whatever rhythm they had established by then. Now he will be able to get involved one game before the bye week, giving him that extra bit of time to digest the playbook and find a comfort level working with the offense. Do not underestimate how much those few extra weeks will mean to him and the Eagles.
Also, if the team decided they wanted ot trade him to a team prior to the deadline at Week 6 (not likely to happen but you never know) the rest of the league will be able to have the chance to see if he really is indeed fully back physically and mentally.
Now on to come of my impressions from the first half of the Eagles/Jets game…
Brandon Gibson continued his impressive preseason play against the Jets.
+ Big plus to Brandon Gibson. I discussed earlier how this was a make or break game for him, and he came through with 2 catches for 33 yards. Kolb also overthrew him on what should have been a long TD pass in the second quarter.
Both catches showed why Gibson is such a special player. The first one was a slant where Gibson bought just enough room to go up and grab a nicely thrown ball from Kolb. He took a shot but hung on for a good gain. He then came back and made another grab on a poorly thrown ball well behind him (Kolb looking a lot like McNabb on that play*coughcough*), but hung on and picked up some nice yards after the catch and a first down. I can’t possibly see how he doesn’t make this team after having such a strong camp/preseason. I’d take him over Reggie Brown in a heartbeat.
+ Danny Amendola also had a nice first half, rushing 3 times for 21 yards and hauling in a 31 yard catch and run, where he broke a few ankles and shed a tackler along the way. He is a short but extremely quick possession guy much like Wes Welker, and showed a lot of versatility and explosiveness. It wasn’t all good for Danny: he also dropped a wide open TD because he wasn’t looking for the ball, but the Eagles should stash him on the practice squad because he could be a legitimate weapon down the line if someone gets injured.
+ Tony Curtis was signed not to long ago but has already shown more as a tight end than LJ Smith ever showed in the midnight green. He hauled in 4 catches for 40 yards and a TD, and was a safety valve for Kolb over the middle. He caught everything thrown his way and showed some veteran savvy finding holes in the D. Considering he was known for being a good blocker more than his receiving skills you have to assume he just locked up a roster spot on this team.
= Kevin Kolb gets the equal sign, as in his stock neither went up nor dropped tonight. He made some nice throws (the Curtis TD pass stands out), made some good decisions, and had a few drops go against him (Amendola in the end zone), but he also made plenty of mistakes and held onto the ball too long in several situations. He is still very much a work in progress, and while he shows flashes of potential that make you see why he was a second round pick he also shows plenty of signs of being a total bust.
We won’t know for sure what to make of him until he really gets a chance to play, and he will definitely make the team over AJ Feeley, but you have to wonder if his future is really in Philly.
+ There is no longer any doubt who the third runningback will be. Eldra Buckley showed nice burst and toughness running the ball and made a nice play on special teams. Adios Lorenzo, you will not be missed.
I would be stunned if Babin didn't make the final 53.
+ If Jason Babin doesn’t make this team, then I’m Andy Reid’s long lost third son (minus the drug problems.) Another sack, and helped the Birds come up with a fumble in the 2nd quarter by completely overpowering and embarrassing a Jets lineman. Here’s hoping he can play like this against first stringers, but he’s earned the opportunity.
- Sean Jones looked shaky, getting beat badly on Danny Woodhead’s long TD run. There is a reason he couldn’t win the starting job over a largely-unimpressive Quintin Demps.
= Michael Vick was a mixed bag; he looked better running the ball, but missed badly on his two pass attempts, getting picked off in the end zone on one (showing his infamous lack of passing accuracy) and missing an open receiver in the end zone on another. He will do the most damage this season by being a decoy and running the ball, just please don’t let him throw deep anymore!
+ Macho Harris had a very Brian Dawkins-esq body slam tackle on a Jets kickoff returner. An impressive physical display, and you have to be excited by the potential Harris has shown up to this point.
+ Jack Ikegwuonu showed great focus on his first half INT. Will it be enough for him to make the team? We’ll have to wait until Saturday to find out!
