Game overview:
These two teams went at it with their B/C-teams to start...then devolving down the depth chart from there. And in this ‘battle’, the Vikings just handled the Eagles. It wasn’t even really a game.
The Vikings went undefeated this preseason. The Eagles ended up (2-1), but I think aside from the likes of the Panthers or Patriots type teams...the Eagles were the worst-looking team of the preseason, to me. I got a bad feeling on the Eagles. BUT...that was mostly all their backups going all preseason...but their defense this preseason, whether 1st-team or down to the cut-guys, this defense looked terrible...and the offense doesn’t look much better than the D this preseason.
All the constant coordinator changes PLUS the over-drafting of Georgia players are starting to catch up to Philly. Only Jalen Hurts can save them, but I don’t know that he can...
Not many notes from this game, as it really was deep backups going at it...but we got a few player notes to chew on/things to keep in mind for the future.
Scouting Notes from the game:
-- Two Eagles rookie defenders played in this game; ones I thought (post-NFL Draft) might start for Philly in the regular season Week 1 right away...but both were playing in this game – which means they are not starting yet.
1) Rookie SAF Cooper DeJean – He looked really good. He’s legit...but not as a corner. That guy is a future safety...a star at safety, if Philly wakes up to it. He worked some quasi-OLB here along with being a slot corner. He’s so good as a tracker and tackler with DB speed and an ILB mind...cornerback does not seem like his best fit at all.
Wherever he winds up – he’ll be a success. This was the first real detailed look that I got of DeJean in the preseason, and I was impressed (he missed time with injury). He’ll be starting before long.
2) Rookie LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – I don’t see ‘it’ yet. A lot of late reactions and no real standout moments this game, or this entire preseason, for me. The Eagles have a bad ILB group, there’s room for Trotter to get into the starting lineup, but he doesn’t look ready for that moment right now.
-- You know who looks like he’s ‘getting it’? Vikings 2nd-year UDFA RB Dwayne McBride (11-34-0, 2-27-0/3). He has nice size, improving movement skills, and was super-productive in college. He’s also not too swift in interviews, but maybe that doesn’t matter if you just get him the ball and let him go.
If the Vikings season falls apart and/or Jones/Chandler gets hurt – we might see McBride up this season at some point...and being an FF-thing that draws some heat from the deep sleeper crowd. I’ll be FF-interested if it happens. Don’t write him off yet. He was cut by MIN, but put back on the practice squad, where he spent most of 2023.
Oh, wait...he just got cut from the practice squad too...
Don’t ask me what the Vikings are doing...but this may be McBride is a knucklehead, causing the release.
-- Lastly, I am going to type words I cannot believe I’m typing...
You know who played really well here...a guy who has made very nice strides in year-two? Vikings QB Jaren Hall (17-25 for 189 yards, 2 TDs/0 INT 2-11-0). If I counted the drops/balls receivers had in their hands but couldn’t haul in and plays called back on penalty...counted them as successful plays...Hall would have had 250+ yards passing, and 4 TD passes in three-quarters of play.
It wasn’t luck. He was technically sound. Good for him. I’ll bet the Vikings are really proud of his maturation and improvements. *Checks notes* Oh, they just cut him yesterday so they could snatch up the great Brett Rypien.
RC: I’ll take QBs who suck and are clones of each other for $500, Alex.
Alex (from the grave): The Vikings have these three QBs who suck and are clones of each other.
RC: Who are Darnold-Mullens-Rypien.
*Too soon on the Alex Trebex joke? I erased it away at first, but I was laughing to much inside at the dark humor. It’s really a tribute to his greatness. If you make a Jeopardy mild joke...you have to include Alex Trebek. https://youtube.com/shorts/APYokUW_L3k?si=_gDISs4AJVi6jojt
-- One more note...Jaren Hall was just rolling through the Eagles D that had a lot of 2nd-teamers and just drafted rookies going – what is going on with this Eagles defense? Putrid the last 6-7-8 games of 2023 season then horrid the three preseason games this year, and they played their 1st-teamers some in preseason games, and they got pushed around by 3rd-string QBs and O-Lines. Man, I got a bad feeling about this.
