Hi Friends!
Before I get into this coming week’s game, let's review the opening game vs. the Cleveland Browns, shall we?
First, let me just say that I would have loved to see the kid Carson Wentz sit his first year and learn all the nuances of quarterbacking in the NFL. I just think it would have benefitted him quite a bit instead of being thrown into the fire from day one. That being said, Wentz looked more like a veteran QB rather than a rookie from tiny North Dakota State. He showed composure and didn't get rattled. The biggest thing that stood out to me was that he did not commit a single turnover. His QB rating was a very impressive 101.0 and his completion rate of almost 60 percent is equally as impressive. Now let's not start talking Canton, Ohio just yet. We must remember the Eagles were playing the Cleveland Browns, after all. But I must say, I think Wentz is the real deal. Kudos also to rookie head coach Doug Pederson for having a good game plan and putting the kid in position to succeed.
Now…
3 Things To Know About This Week’s Game
Week 2: Eagles vs. Bears
- The Awakening of Wentz. Carson Wentz will have a huge wake up call Monday night as the rookie QB & as the Eagles go into a very rowdy and loud Soldiers Field in Chicago. This will prove a great test to see how he handles a noisy and hostile crowd after debuting last Sunday in front of the hometown crowd at the "Linc." It looks like the Eagles will be without the services of tight end (and Berks County native) Zach Ertz, who has a rib injury and is week-to-week. If Ertz can't go, the team will rely on veteran Brent Celek and a player I like a lot, Trey Burton. The Bears secondary is not a strong unit and I'd love to see Wentz stretch the field with some deep throws to Matthews, Green Beckham & Agholor.
Running back Ryan Matthews looked very quick this past week vs. the Browns and as long as he can stay healthy, I think he's going to have a good year. Darren Sproles is a marvel and I hope that coach Pederson utilizes him more by putting him in the right position to excel as he's a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. - The Bears usually play well in front of their hometown crowd, so the Eagles defense will have to bring their best effort. Quarterback Jay Cutler is a wily veteran starter and is very capable of winning. The Bears have the dangerous Alshon Jeffrey, along with veteran Eddie Royal at wide receiver, and the Eagles secondary will have their hands full for sure. The Bears offensive line is a work-in-progress, and quite frankly, not that impressive. I think the Eagles front four of Cox, Graham, Logan & Barwin will have opportunities to create turnovers and get some sacks in this game. Matt Forte is no longer with the Bears at running back and is replaced by Jeremy Langford, who is not the caliber player that Forte is, so I think we will be able to contain the run.
- Special teams were a huge factor in the Eagles win last week with Donnie "Long Ball" Jones nailing punts of 72 & 67 yards without allowing a return. He is definitely one of the best, if not the best, punters in the league. The ageless wonder Darren Sproles is showing no signs of slowing down, and had a 40-yard punt return last week. Placekicker Caleb Sturgis made two field goals and missed a 46-yarder (not by much), and he looks to be pretty steady. The Eagles need to play an error-free game on offense like last week’s game of no turnovers. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles defense needs to create some turnovers and I think they can start out the season 2&0.
I'll check in with you next week as we preview the next Eagles opponent: the very solid Pittsburgh Steelers. I also will be announcing some exciting news that's about to happen for The Hatchet and the Locker Room. Until then...Fly Eagles Fly!
Barry "The Hatchet" Vagnoni is a life-long resident of Berks. A diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan since 1954, three years ago Barry won the Dunkin Donuts Philly's Coolest Sports Fan Contest. Two years ago he was selected by ESPN as a Top 10 finalist for the Sports Fans Hall Of Fame from tens of thousands of people. Many know him for the 2,000-square-foot addition on his home, known as the famous Eagles Locker Room! It has been dubbed by the Philadelphia Eagles TV Network as the World’s Most Ultimate Fan Cave.
Hi Friends!
Before I get into this coming week’s game, let's review the opening game vs. the Cleveland Browns, shall we?
First, let me just say that I would have loved to see the kid Carson Wentz sit his first year and learn all the nuances of quarterbacking in the NFL. I just think it would have benefitted him quite a bit instead of being thrown into the fire from day one. That being said, Wentz looked more like a veteran QB rather than a rookie from tiny North Dakota State. He showed composure and didn't get rattled. The biggest thing that stood out to me was that he did not commit a single turnover. His QB rating was a very impressive 101.0 and his completion rate of almost 60 percent is equally as impressive. Now let's not start talking Canton, Ohio just yet. We must remember the Eagles were playing the Cleveland Browns, after all. But I must say, I think Wentz is the real deal. Kudos also to rookie head coach Doug Pederson for having a good game plan and putting the kid in position to succeed.
Now…
3 Things To Know About This Week’s Game
Week 2: Eagles vs. Bears
- The Awakening of Wentz. Carson Wentz will have a huge wake up call Monday night as the rookie QB & as the Eagles go into a very rowdy and loud Soldiers Field in Chicago. This will prove a great test to see how he handles a noisy and hostile crowd after debuting last Sunday in front of the hometown crowd at the "Linc." It looks like the Eagles will be without the services of tight end (and Berks County native) Zach Ertz, who has a rib injury and is week-to-week. If Ertz can't go, the team will rely on veteran Brent Celek and a player I like a lot, Trey Burton. The Bears secondary is not a strong unit and I'd love to see Wentz stretch the field with some deep throws to Matthews, Green Beckham & Agholor.
Running back Ryan Matthews looked very quick this past week vs. the Browns and as long as he can stay healthy, I think he's going to have a good year. Darren Sproles is a marvel and I hope that coach Pederson utilizes him more by putting him in the right position to excel as he's a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. - The Bears usually play well in front of their hometown crowd, so the Eagles defense will have to bring their best effort. Quarterback Jay Cutler is a wily veteran starter and is very capable of winning. The Bears have the dangerous Alshon Jeffrey, along with veteran Eddie Royal at wide receiver, and the Eagles secondary will have their hands full for sure. The Bears offensive line is a work-in-progress, and quite frankly, not that impressive. I think the Eagles front four of Cox, Graham, Logan & Barwin will have opportunities to create turnovers and get some sacks in this game. Matt Forte is no longer with the Bears at running back and is replaced by Jeremy Langford, who is not the caliber player that Forte is, so I think we will be able to contain the run.
- Special teams were a huge factor in the Eagles win last week with Donnie "Long Ball" Jones nailing punts of 72 & 67 yards without allowing a return. He is definitely one of the best, if not the best, punters in the league. The ageless wonder Darren Sproles is showing no signs of slowing down, and had a 40-yard punt return last week. Placekicker Caleb Sturgis made two field goals and missed a 46-yarder (not by much), and he looks to be pretty steady. The Eagles need to play an error-free game on offense like last week’s game of no turnovers. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles defense needs to create some turnovers and I think they can start out the season 2&0.
I'll check in with you next week as we preview the next Eagles opponent: the very solid Pittsburgh Steelers. I also will be announcing some exciting news that's about to happen for The Hatchet and the Locker Room. Until then...Fly Eagles Fly!
Barry "The Hatchet" Vagnoni is a life-long resident of Berks. A diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan since 1954, three years ago Barry won the Dunkin Donuts Philly's Coolest Sports Fan Contest. Two years ago he was selected by ESPN as a Top 10 finalist for the Sports Fans Hall Of Fame from tens of thousands of people. Many know him for the 2,000-square-foot addition on his home, known as the famous Eagles Locker Room! It has been dubbed by the Philadelphia Eagles TV Network as the World’s Most Ultimate Fan Cave.
