The Eagles' preseason opener against the Ravens was a mixed bag, with some players shining and others falling short of expectations. Here's a breakdown of the snap counts and key takeaways from the game.
Offense
The offense struggled mightily, especially in the first three and a half quarters. Head coach Nick Sirianni's admission that play-calling would be vanilla was a fair assessment, but the results were underwhelming.
Quarterbacks
Tanner McKee led the way with 19 snaps, followed by Cole Payton (15) and Andy Dalton (10). Payton's performance was promising, as he helped the offense pick up a few first downs, despite only getting two series.
Running Backs
Will Shipley dominated with 16 snaps, while Ja'Quinden Jackson and Tank Bigsby each played 11. Carson Steele had just 7, indicating a potential rotation among the backs.
Wide Receivers
Darius Cooper received the most attention with 29 snaps, catching 2 of 5 targets for 21 yards. Quez Watkins (21), Samori Toure (15), and Erik Ezukanma (14) also saw significant action, while Britain Covey and Elijah Moore were limited to just 7 and 6 snaps, respectively.
Tight Ends
Eli Stowers struggled, with three short catches and questionable blocking, suggesting he's still adjusting to the speed of the game. E.J. Jenkins (15) and Grant Calcaterra (12) also played, but Cameron Latu's 11 snaps were notable.
Offensive Line
The line was a bright spot, with Micah Morris and Jake Majors leading the way with 34 snaps each. Cameron Williams (29) and Willie Lampkin (23) also stood out, while Markel Bell and Myles Hinton each played 21.
Defense
The defense dominated, with Tarron Jackson (45), Jose Ramirez (43), and Ty Robinson (47) leading the charge. The interior line was strong, with Gabe Hall (45) and David Blay (35) making their presence felt.
Linebackers
Smael Mondon (47) and Deontae Lawson (41) led the linebacker corps, while Jeremiah Trotter (37) and Jihaad Campbell (14) also saw action. Brandon George's 14 snaps were a surprise, given Andrew Mukuba's potential.
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Mac McWilliams (65) and Ambry Thomas (57) were the stars here, with Kelee Ringo (37) and Shaun Wade (33) also making significant contributions. Maximus Pulley and Kapena Gushiken each played 33, while J.T. Gray and Michael Carter had 28 and 27 snaps, respectively.
Three Stars and Game Ball
The three stars were Willie Lampkin, Markel Bell, and Kelee Ringo. Lampkin's performance was particularly impressive, as he made his presence felt in his first NFL game. Ringo's interception was a highlight, and Bell's play was encouraging.
Conclusion
The Eagles' preseason opener was a learning experience, with some players shining and others falling short. The defense dominated, while the offense struggled, especially in the first half. As the season progresses, the team will need to find a balance and build on the positive aspects of this game.
