Tonight, @7:30 in South Philly the Birds open their 2010 preseason slate against the Jaguars. Its the 1st exhibition game which, in years past meant don't blink or you might miss the starters. Of course years past included seasoned vets like McNabb, 36-West, and B-Dawk. Proven NFL commodities whose only goal in such contests was to avoid injury.
This preseason for all intents and purposes should by all means be different. The Eagles' roster is choc-full of question marks and unprovens. These games will undoubtedly have more impact on the final roster and depth chart than in any preseason since 1998 when Andy Reid 1st arrived on the scene.
I know most writers when writing a piece such as this will include a list of "top 5 players to watch" etc. but in reality I find it to be an absurd concept given the fact that the entire Eagles team warrants our full attention. So much is to be decided before the September 12th opener that the wife or girlfriend shouldnt call you crazy for still paying close attention come the 4th quarter tonight.
Keep in mind that the NFL season, moreso than any other pro-league schedule is truly a war of attrition. Sure some of the players scampering around the field will be bagging groceries this fall but some of them just might be integral pieces to this team's success before the seasons over and even more are likely to get their feet wet this year before ascending to bigger roles in the years ahead. Recent Eagles' history bears out that concept. Management likes to promote from within and have heir apparents on the roster, waiting in the wings for their chance like redshirt freshmen waiting for the upper classmen to graduate, or in the Eagles' case, turn 30 years old.
The naysayers in their shortsightedness will suggest that the Bird's season will be lost if they are forced to rely heavily on players who currently reside further down on the depth chart. The educated Eagles' fan will recognize that because of this team's youth that the depth chart has most likely been written in pencil or dry erase marker, not ink.
