Hall of Fame Game Preview

A good performance tonight for the Eagles in their opening pre-season game and they take the first step towards reestablishing their position as one of the NFL's elite teams.  A slipshod effort, before a national television audience, will instead open the door to exactly the kinds of questions this team doesn't want to answer.

On the plus side, that will give me plenty of good material for my occasional series on "why the national experts are wrong about the Eagles."

So let's take a quick preview of tonight's game, unit by unit:

Head Coach

What we'd like to see:  In his early years with the Eagles, Andy Reid had a reputation for being a bit of a risk-taker.  The onsides kicks and other trick plays were intended to establish a new mindset -- this was a team that would come at you every minute from every angle. 

As the Eagles solidified their position as one of the premier teams in the league, some of that risk-taking went away.  After all, if you're the better team, why risk an onsides kick that a team like Dallas could return for a touchdown when you know you can beat them straight up.

Right now, however, the Eagles have lost that reputation.  So I'd like to see Reid come out tonight and make a statement with his first-team offense, beginning with the first play.  I'm hoping for something like three straight power running plays to pick up a first down or a deep sideline bomb to one of our young receivers.  I want something that says, "Watch out Jack, here we come."

What we probably will see:  Unfortunately, Reid doesn't seem like a big statement guy these days, so I expect to see play action to Westbrook on the first play, he chips the DE on his way to running a curl and McNabb hits an intermediate route, maybe to L.J. Smith.   Oh well, you do what you do.

Quarterbacks

What we'd like to see: McNabb looking calm, confident and healthy.  Maybe even spry.  Good timing with his young receivers.  Garcia looking like a guy who can come in and lead the team if he needs to this season.  Detmer with his helmet off so we can see what he looks like after shaving his head.  And Timmy Chang doing his Timmy Chang thing with a bunch of camp bodies.

What we probably will see: McNabb is going to be fine.  I'm hoping he looks good tonight, just so we don't have to hear the doubters yap all week, but 5 is the man and should be all right.

Garcia didn't look that great in his last starting stint, but I think he'll probably be fine against a second team defense.  I'll be more interested in watching his receivers, in truth.

I have a bad feeling Detmer might provide further evidence that he's pretty much done as a capable backup.  I had a lot of faith in him before last year, but when they gave him a shot he looked awfully like a guy who just didn't have it anymore.

Timmy Chang is going to do the two things he does best -- throw touchdown passes and throw interceptions.  Mark my words.

Running Backs

What we'd like to see: A serviceable running game. Westbrook making guys miss.  Josh Parry winning his one-on-one matchups in the running game.  Bruce Perry looking like a guy who can be the third of this year's running back monster.  Ryan Moats demonstrating that last year was no fluke.

What we probably will see:  One thing we won't see is Moats.  He's back in Philadelphia with an injury.  I can't see Westbrook getting more than two or three carries, given how carefully Reid watches his workload.  That means we're not going to see the rebirth of the Eagles running game when the first team is on the field.  Oh well, there are four more pre-season games.

Also, I hope Mahe looks good.  I'm rooting for that guy to hang onto his roster spot.

Offensive Line

What we'd like to see: Dominating run-blocking and clean quarterbacks.  A real head-turning performance by Shawn Andrews, who should be bound for the Pro Bowl this season.  Good work controlling the line by Jamaal Jackson, who also needs to keep pressure from coming up the middle on McNabb.  Ditto for Todd Herremans, who has struggled a bit making the transition to guard.  Runyan and Thomas will be fine, as long as they stay healthy.

What we probably will see: I think this is one unit where we might actually see just what we're hoping to see.  I think Andrews is going to be a monster this year.  Honeybuns seemed like a great guy, but I'm happy to see the bigger Jackson in there anchoring the middle.  If this unit stays healthy, it should be a strength.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

What we'd like to see: Reggie Brown looking like a number one guy.  L.J. Smith demonstrating good ball security.  Matt Schobel looking like a guy who's finally starting to pick up the offense.  And of course, one (Hank Baskett) or more of the young receivers (Hank Baskett) separating himself (Hank Baskett) from the pack with some great play.  Todd Pinkston is still hurt and won't be making the trip tonight.

What we probably will see: Reggie Brown looking like a number one guy, even if it kills McNabb to make it happen.  Schobel looking like he's still playing a bit slow.  And I hate to say it, but my guess is Baskett's going to be a bit overwhelmed tonight, particularly because he's getting time with the first team.  I doubt tonight's game is going to make many people feel better about our receivers after Brown.

Defensive Line

What we'd like to see: Pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure...

What we probably will see: By all accounts, the D-Line has been dominant in training camp thus far.  With the money the Eagles have spent on these guys, and the talent we have coming back healthy this year, this should be a fun group to watch.  Look for Aaron Brooks and others to be doing a fair bit of running for their lives. 

Oh, and Kearse will probably have someone step on his ankle and roll around on the ground like he's been shot, limp off the field, scare the crap out of all of us, and then come running back onto the field for the next series.  That's his signature move.

Linebackers

What we'd like to see: An ax chop.  Just one, just for fun.  Matt McCoy flying around and making plays.  Shawn Barber looking fast in the nickel.  Dhani Jones' back-ups playing well to keep his feet to the fire.

What we probably will see:  An ax chop.  But also some banjo playing, so that's a break-even.  My guess is Barber's still going to look better than McCoy, and we'll have to figure out if that's because he is better or because he's playing against the second team offense.

Secondary

What we'd like to see: Lito Sheppard looking like he's fully recovered.  A veteran secondary that shuts down Randy Moss for the quarter he's out there.  Brian Dawkins killing someone.

What we probably will see: Lito's not all the way back yet, so he probably won't be matched up against Moss.  This group was embarrassed by last year's effort, so I think they're going to come out tonight and make a statement.  I wouldn't want to be catching one over the middle tonight while the first-team guys are on the field.

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So we'll see how it goes.  In one sense, tonight's game doesn't really mean anything, but after last year's performance, in truth it means a lot.

I'll complete the circle tomorrow by doing write-ups on what we actually saw for each of these units as well.

Until then, GO EAGLES.