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1. What are some general observations you can make after following the Eagles preseason? Did any position groups underperform? Any players surprise you?
My general takeaway from the Eagles preseason was that they don't look too different from last year. The offense was humming as usual (131 points in 4 games) and the defense doesn't look amazing but it looks good enough.
If any positional group underachieved, it would be the outside linebackers. Starters Trent Cole and Connor Barwin didn't do much to ease concerns about Philadelphia's lackluster pass rush. It may be true that the veterans were pacing themselves but the pass rush is still definitely a concern.
The players that stood out the most were the Eagles backup offensive linemen: Matt Tobin, Dennis Kelly, David Molk, Andrew Gardner. The Eagles may have better depth there than many expected. Among players that will likely contribute, second year tight end Zach Ertz flashed great potential.
2. In last year's season opener against Washington, the Eagles ran an incredibly quick-tempo offense that included 53 plays in the first half alone. Should Jaguars fans expect the same thing on Sunday?
The thing about Chip Kelly's fast-tempo offense is that he always says it's just another "tool in the toolbox." Chances are that the Eagles will open the game fast. I think Kelly will be too eager to "f***ing score points" again after having to wait months without regular season football.
3. Is Nick Foles the long-term answer at quarterback?
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Just sneak the hard question in half-way through, huh? Coming off the 27-2 season that Foles just had, yeah, I'd say it's easy to look ahead and say he's the answer. Foles will likely receive a contract extension after the 2014 season if he manages to play well again. The only concern I have is if Foles falls in-between the gap of being a legitimate championship contending quarterback and a bad quarterback. The worst thing that could probably happen is for him to be mediocre. He might not have that chance if Kelly's offense continues to fire on all cylinders like it did last season.
4. Are there any glaring weaknesses on the Eagles that you think Jacksonville could potentially exploit on Sunday?
I would actually say kicker. If Jacksonville can somehow force Philadelphia to kick field goals, I'm not sure how reliable undrafted rookie free agent Cody Parkey will be. There's no doubt Parkey impressed in the Eagles final preseason game by hitting kicks of 53 and 54 yards in order to beat out incumbent kicker Alex Henery. But just how reliable is Parkey moving forward? Remains to be seen.
5. What can you tell us about one of our practice squad signings, former Eagles running back Henry Josey? If he were to make the Jaguars active game day roster, what role would he play?
Josey obviously had a great summer for the Eagles: he was the 2014 NFL preseason's leading rusher with 225 yards on 34 carries (6.6 average) and a long of 27 yards. He also pitched in with 3 receptions for 39 yards (13.0 average) and 1 TD. A lot of Eagles fans were sad to see him go. The team thought higher of Chris Polk (active roster) and Matthew Tucker (practice squad), however. I think it came down to Josey not being able to contribute on special teams and not being sophisticated as a blocker/pass catcher. It also should be noted that the Eagles backup offensive line often gave Josey huge gaps for him to run through. At this point in his young career I can't imagine him getting much playing time if any at all even if he were to make the active roster.
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