Eagles - Panthers Game Thread

[PhillyPhanInDC]

The rotation
A.J. Feeley will relieve quarterback Donovan McNabb at some point in the first half, and rookie Kevin Kolb will enter the game at some point in the second half, the Eagles said.

Sav Rocca will handle the punting and holding duties in the first half and Dirk Johnson will take over in the second half. Jason Avant will be the primary third receiver with the first-team offense, and Reid hopes to get a look at rookie Tony Hunt in short-yardage situations.

Rookie tight end Brent Celek will also get a chance to run with the first-team offense after an impressive debut against the Ravens.

- Bob Brookover

Game Two: Questions That Need Answers

The starters are going to play more. The second preseason game is going to have a touch more significance – make that much more significance – on the heels of the result from Monday night. Yes, Donovan McNabb is back in the spotlight, back under center, back to being the man, but there are other things to watch and evaluate against the Panthers.

Let's examine some of those stories now ...

The Run Defense

That Willis McGahee 16-yard run keeps knocking around in the brain, doesn't it? It was a simple stretch play to the left side of the Eagles defense and the edge wasn't contained and McGahee squeezed through the hole for a big gain. How many times are teams going to test the Eagles on that run, the same one that killed the defense in Indianapolis last season?

Carolina runs the ball very well with DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers have a big, strong line. Philadelphia must step up and stop the run. It comes down to the front four and the linebackers. The Eagles rebuilt the front seven in the off-season and now they have to start to see the rewards in game situations.

I'm still watching the middle linebacker situation. Teams are going to make Jeremiah Trotter run sideline to sideline and prove he still has legs. Second-year man Omar Gaither has not challenged Trotter for playing time or the starting job.

Controlling The Line Of Scrimmage On Offense

Julius Peppers, Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker form three-quarters of an outstanding defensive line. It is a great challenge for an Eagles offensive line that struggled on Monday night. The Eagles are still without Shawn Andrews at right guard, so look for some extended time for Max Jean-Gilles and Scott Young. They both need to step up.

Carolina doesn't blitz as much as Baltimore, but the Panthers generate a lot of pressure. The Eagles have to play much, much better up front to protect Donovan McNabb and to get the running game going.

The Eagles know they have one of the best lines in football. It didn't shape up that way on Monday night, so the rebound date is this game.

Steve Smith Vs. The Cornerbacks

Quick, shifty and a superb route runner, Smith is one of the most dangerous receivers in all of football. He is an excellent matchup for the now-healthy Lito Sheppard, and it will also be interesting to see how Sheldon Brown and Will James work against Smith.

Carolina has a few interesting receivers, but none cut from the same cloth as Smith. He is so incredibly explosive, and while the Eagles aren't likely to throw many sophisticated coverages out there in a preseason game, they want to find a way to contain Smith.

Return Game: Bloom And His Chances

After a promising debut, Jeremy Bloom comes back for a second opportunity. The Eagles would love to see him get some return chances in this game and they need to see the spark in his legs. Bloom has the giddy-up. Now it's time to go.

The Eagles didn't have much explosiveness in the return game last year and they are encouraged by the early work from Bloom. He shrugged off a toe injury on Monday and now has fresh, bouncy legs. It should be interesting to see how he responds.

The New Starters: Bunkley And Gocong

Feedback from the coaching staff regarding these two players has been nothing but positive from Monday night. Brodrick Bunkley was clearly the Eagles' best defensive linemen and Chris Gocong had an pretty good debut at linebacker.

Now ...

Bunkley and Gocong figure to play most of the first half. They need to be consistent their reads and they have to provide a high energy level. They have to play smart football.

Carolina won't do a lot of fancy stuff, but the Panthers are going to move people around a bit and give the Eagles some things to think about. Bunkley and Gocong are on the spot.

Punter's Duel: Part Two

You've got to give both Dirk Johnson and Sav Rocca credit for kicking at such a high level. They have responded to the challenge of the competition for sure.

Rocca has yet to hold in a game, so the Eagles need to see him do that. Don't be surprised to see him handle the first half of punting and work with David Akers on field goals.

Are you scoring at home in this battle? Johnson probably has a slight edge based on his punting in training camp and in the preseason games. Rocca has been outstanding, too. The Eagles, who usually cut a punter after the third preseason game, may have to wait until the final waiver period to settle on a punter.

Bubble Boys: Pushing Ahead

Players like linebacker Akeem Jordan, cornerbacks Rashad Barksdale and Nick Graham, defensive tackle Jeremy Clark, safety Marcus Paschall and running back Nate Ilaoa are going to play and they will look to impress the coaching staff again.

There are only 53 spots on the final roster and the Eagles are going to have some tough calls at several positions like linebacker, safety, cornerback and the defensive line between now and September.

Quarterback Kelly Holcomb, impressive on Monday night, isn't part of the rotation this week and won't play.

Everyone else, though, is fair game. There are plenty of questions and Game 2 is going to help answer some of them.

Odd that they aren't allowing Holcomb to play, figured they would want to showcase him a bit against second and/or third team defense to generate some trade interest. Maybe someones already knocking? Also, Rocca doing the punting work in the first half.....does he have the upper hand on Dirk?

[phattymatty]

wow, that run by westbrook was sick.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

But Matty, the game hasn't started. You're silly.

[Quasimoto]

Gawd Barksdale will have 4 picks... in the first quarter.

[ice grillin you]

i dont think anyone is trading for holcomb cause they know the eagles have to cut him and theres limited interest for him to begin with

can someone post the media info where they give the satelitte coordinates...im trying to find a place in DC to watch the game

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Friday, August 17, 2007
6ABC-ETN, 7:00 PM ET

Radio:  94.1 FM WYSP Radio
Sirius:  Channel 140
Satellite:  Gal 26 (IA-6)/C11 93 W Transponder C11

[ice grillin you]

thank you kind sir

arent sirius and xm the same now?...my girl gets xm in her whip...so will the game be on there?

[Quasimoto]

There is a crappy little sports bar in Leesburg, Va that I think is showing it.

Bunker Sports Cafe is the name. 

And yes, it sucks.

[ice grillin you]

Leesburg, Va

NO

espn zone in dc will have it i just wanted the numbers so i can tell them how to get it cause usually their satelite guy is a moron

[SunMo]

thank you kind sir

arent sirius and xm the same now?...my girl gets xm in her whip...so will the game be on there?

they aren't sharing content yet

[SD_Eagle5]

Anyone else going? There's an outside chance I'll have an extra ticket.

And bring extra $$$$ if you're planning on parking at the linc:

Cost of parking up $9The cost of parking for Eagles games at Lincoln Financial Field has been increased from $11 to $20 this season, starting with tonight's exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers.
The parking increase includes all lots in the sports complex, which cover about 22,000 parking spaces.

Though the 82 percent increase is substantial, the Eagles' new price is not out of line with what is being charged in many other NFL cities. The Chicago Bears charge $40 for parking, the New England Patriots $35, the Cincinnati Bengals $31, the Washington taterskins and Green Bay Packers $30, the Dallas Cowboys $23, $38 and $43, and the Baltimore Ravens $25.

- Bob Brookover

[QB Eagles]

arent sirius and xm the same now?...my girl gets xm in her whip...so will the game be on there?

The feds haven't approved the merger yet.

For those of us out of town, it looks like NFL Network will be repeating the game at 1pm on Saturday.

[fansince61]

Leesburg, Va

NO

espn zone in dc will have it i just wanted the numbers so i can tell them how to get it cause usually their satelite guy is a moron

The Hooters in downtown DC (about 3 blocks from the convention center) gets a great crowd.  I have seen most of the draft there the last two years on bus. trips.  You should have seen the place when Miami took the OSU wide receiver with the 12th pick this year..people on the floor!.. LMAO.  Haven't been to espn zone but will check it out next trip

[Dillen]

9th pick. All the better.

[ThirdStreetMafia]

I really wish there was some way to get rid of the delay with WYSP... Monday night was by far the worst its ever been