I'm in a Philly Sports bar awaiting the Eagles-Browns preseason game.
It's too bad both the Eagles' top quarterbacks are out of action, so the first team defense won't get the acid test they'd hoped for.
This just in: Nick Foles will play-coo!
At least the Eagles defense (first against the run last season) is mostly intact, and they have some real edge-rushers to test Bitonio.
But the guy I really want to see more of (aside from Cajuste) is undrafted free agent left tackle Desmond Harrison.
As you know if you read this, Des is the only tackle on the roster with Joe Thomas-like physical talent; indeed the only real left tackle.
I had Harrison pegged as a longshot to be more than a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency guy in 2018, because he has very little experience in college, and that at the lowest level of competition.
But he's apparently passed up Gregg Robinson as the top backup already. Considering the fact that Robinson has been looking pretty good so far, that's impressive as hell.
Possibly this will go back to Robinson 2 and Harrison 3 by game one, and they just wanted to get their embryo some higher-class reps to help him develop, but even then, this is important.
I still don't expect Joel Bitonio to ever become as good a left tackle as he is a left guard. I do think that Myles Garrett knows what he's talking about, so Joel should do okay there. But down the road apiece, Desmond Harrison just outclasses him (at left tackle) physically.
Probably, Bitonio at left tackle and Corbett at left guard is etched in stone for 2018, but Harrison has a real chance to be the backup left tackle--which would be impressive for a raw, undrafted rookie.
If that happens, it most certainly means that Harrison will be shooting for the starting left tackle job in 2019 (and will probably win).
That would be just awesome, because Bitonio could return to left guard.
Tretter and Zietler are both marketable. One could be traded (for a decent "price") to make room for the much younger and cheaper Austin Corbett.
Concievably, even Bitonio himself; now with credibility at left tackle and on a very affordable contract, could fetch a second or possibly first round pick (or stud player).
Don't get emotional. This is business. Nothing is "unthinkable", and nobody is sacred. Younger and cheaper is better. Business is business.
Of course, I'm getting way ahead of myself here. Just remember that I thought the unthinkable in 2018, at around this time in 2019, when it happens.
Two other rookies to watch are Genard Avery and Damion Ratley. Better late than never, Avery's similarity to James Harrison is beginning to dawn on non-me's, and Gregg Williams is (as I predicted) finding ways to use Avery and Kendricks in a similar role.
Ratley has made a lot of progress in a hurry, and earned his way into some first-team reps. He has not screwed up yet. He's comparatively inexperienced too, and is way ahead of schedule.
Ratley is as tall as, and faster than, Josh Gordon. He needs more meat on his bones, but has thus far stood up to NFL corners well even as a "bean-pole".
Oh, and this is another guy that anybody with a brain would rather have on their roster than Dez Bryant. (Hue and John: "anybody with a brain" got that?)
Terry Pluto remains oblivious to Ratley, Callaway, and Higgins as he inexplicably repeats that the Browns need a fourth veteran wide receiver. I think Terry might need therapy or something. It's stunning.
Ok the game is about to start...... .............
................
Nice call on first down. dink to Landry first down. Then they tried to run and dump to a running back and the Eagles blew everything up.
Knuckleheads will bash the playcalls but this is preseason, and Haley is trying to run against the top run defense on purpose.
Randall is out. TJ Carrie is playing safety. Foles is slicing and dicing; marching vs the defense--making them look bad.
Ward injured. Figures. But the defense stopped them (great play by Mitchell). Pederson went for it on 4th and 5 and failed. Time to start bashing Pederson's preseason playcalling?
Big run by Hyde on first down! Then by Chubb! Njoku for ten first down at Eagles one. 3 passes no good. Landry needs to quit bitching he was covered clean every time. He's pissing me off.
Tyrod didn't look good there, but he was throwing to a pre-designated spot, and Landry was prevented from getting there on time by excellent (and legal) coverage...
Ok safety by Garrett (yay) Taylor hurt Mayfield in there scrapping HIGGINS on 3rd and 9 ok I gotta stop this and watch the damn game...
The Eagles defense is stifling Mayfield like it did Taylor. They're able to keep seven guys in coverage. He can't find anybody open.
Stand by: Baker will start throwing darts into tight windows when he needs to.
Oh Tyrod is back cool. He needs these reps. Mayfield looked about like him vs these bastids. Stick with the old veteran good call.
Eagles marching again a third turnover! THAT is a Gregg Williams defense! Excellent they're doing it to the Superbowl champs!
Four turnovers in the first half vs the reigning champs (and a safety). Not bad!
Of course, the Eagles defense utterly stuffed the Browns offense, regardless of who the quarterback was. Not good!
Still, the Browns take a lead to the locker room.
The Eagles have looked terrible in preseason so far, and we can't read too much into this, BUT the 2018 Browns are at least not a JOKE anymore.
Schwartz is a scary defensive coordinator, and he has the defensive line to make his scheme work. I was hoping the Browns could land him after Detroit fired him, but Gregg Williams is just as good.
Anyway, this Eagles defense is at least in the top five in the NFL.
The Eagles, as a team, have at least maintained their talent-level, and have to be considered top contenders to win another Superbowl.
C O N T E X T: The 2018 Browns have "a lot of work to do" before they can contend for a Superbowl, but can you somehow, some way, read this "dress rehearsal" vs a Superbowl team as a good sign?
If not, I recommend a brain transplant.
I'm done. Third quarter, second teams...Mayfield converts a third and seven ok nevermind okbye
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