Five Big Questions: Pittsburgh Nights
1. Can Omar Gaither carry Trot's ax?
"Probably not, right now," is the answer you'd get from almost anybody. But more to the point, neither could Trotter. To have a successful night, Gaither just has to sho the same nose for the ball and knack for playmaking that got him on the field ahead of schedule last year. A lot of what he does will be affected by the play of Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley in the middle of that defensive line. Gaither's not a huge man, so it's going to be tough for him to shed lineman blockers. But if he's in the clear, the guy makes plays.
2. Will the Birds be able to walk it up the field?
We know the passing game is on point; that Kevin Curtis is a real asset, that McNabb's arm is strong and accurate as ever, and that the young tight end can really play. But like the Phillies, the Eagles need to be able to manufacture points too. Thay cannot rely solely on the big play, and that means they need to give the ball to Brian Westbrook. Westbrook said the other day that he'd like to get 20-25 carries a game. Yeah, good luck with that. The Eagles are going to need him in the 15-20 range to keep defenses honest, however, and unless the running game progresses against the Steelers, Reid won't have the confidence to run it that many times until McNabb gets hurt again. Contrary to popular belief, Andy Reid doesn't hate to run. He just has no patience for it.
Will Big Sav close the deal?
Some media members around the NovaCare Complex are under the impression that the Eagles' punting job is Saverio Rocca's to lose. I'm not one of them, but I'd be prepared to give him a 51 percent chance to be in Philadelphia two weeks from now. The coaches know what Dirk can do, and they're obviously not overwhelmed by that, or else they would never have signed the big Aussie. Sav's got the eye-popping distance, but the trajectory control on his punts has been spotty. IUf he continues to improve, Dirk may cut as early as Tuesday.
When will Kolb get in the game?
Kelly Holcomb was healthy but didn't take a snap in practice on Friday, and Reid would not guarantee that A.J. Feeley would relieve Donovan, opening up the possibility that Kolb might see some time with the first-team offense in the third quarter. That would be new for him, and it would be interesting to a see.
How much/how well will Brian Dawkins play?
Normally, Dawk is one of the very last elements of the Eagles that would ever make its way anywhere near a question, unless you're talking about big picture stuff like, "When will he begin to play like the 33-year-old dude he is?" But considering the fact that he has not see the field at all in the first two preseason games, and adding the absence of Trotter as his fellow voice of leadership, maybe it isn't unfair to question. I'd be surprised if he was anything less than very good, however.
"Probably not, right now," is the answer you'd get from almost anybody. But more to the point, neither could Trotter. To have a successful night, Gaither just has to sho the same nose for the ball and knack for playmaking that got him on the field ahead of schedule last year. A lot of what he does will be affected by the play of Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley in the middle of that defensive line. Gaither's not a huge man, so it's going to be tough for him to shed lineman blockers. But if he's in the clear, the guy makes plays.
2. Will the Birds be able to walk it up the field?
We know the passing game is on point; that Kevin Curtis is a real asset, that McNabb's arm is strong and accurate as ever, and that the young tight end can really play. But like the Phillies, the Eagles need to be able to manufacture points too. Thay cannot rely solely on the big play, and that means they need to give the ball to Brian Westbrook. Westbrook said the other day that he'd like to get 20-25 carries a game. Yeah, good luck with that. The Eagles are going to need him in the 15-20 range to keep defenses honest, however, and unless the running game progresses against the Steelers, Reid won't have the confidence to run it that many times until McNabb gets hurt again. Contrary to popular belief, Andy Reid doesn't hate to run. He just has no patience for it.
Will Big Sav close the deal?
Some media members around the NovaCare Complex are under the impression that the Eagles' punting job is Saverio Rocca's to lose. I'm not one of them, but I'd be prepared to give him a 51 percent chance to be in Philadelphia two weeks from now. The coaches know what Dirk can do, and they're obviously not overwhelmed by that, or else they would never have signed the big Aussie. Sav's got the eye-popping distance, but the trajectory control on his punts has been spotty. IUf he continues to improve, Dirk may cut as early as Tuesday.
When will Kolb get in the game?
Kelly Holcomb was healthy but didn't take a snap in practice on Friday, and Reid would not guarantee that A.J. Feeley would relieve Donovan, opening up the possibility that Kolb might see some time with the first-team offense in the third quarter. That would be new for him, and it would be interesting to a see.
How much/how well will Brian Dawkins play?
Normally, Dawk is one of the very last elements of the Eagles that would ever make its way anywhere near a question, unless you're talking about big picture stuff like, "When will he begin to play like the 33-year-old dude he is?" But considering the fact that he has not see the field at all in the first two preseason games, and adding the absence of Trotter as his fellow voice of leadership, maybe it isn't unfair to question. I'd be surprised if he was anything less than very good, however.
posted by SMc. at 7:25 PM
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