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The Eagles’ preseason opener with the Baltimore Ravens is Saturday at 7 p.m. at M&T Stadium (NBC, WIP-94.1 FM).
Nick Sirianni intimated Thursday that the decision to play or not to play starters will go up to game time.
Longshots to make the team or stick around on the practice squad likely will get a ton of snaps. All the fringe players, and there are too many to list, would be wise to take the suggestion of Reed Blankenship, the safety who came out of nowhere last year to make the team and be promoted to a starting job during the season.
“Have fun,” Blankenship advised. “Football doesn’t change. It’s a violent sport and when the pads come on, just go have fun.”
Blankenship and various other starters will see action Saturday. Maybe even quarterback Jalen Hurts, though it would seem prudent to keep the runner-up to league MVP Patrick Mahomes on ice. The Eagles oppose the Cleveland Browns in joint practices next week at the NovaCare Complex preceding their preseason game Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field.
A portion of the competitors at running back will absolutely get snaps, the group composed of Kenneth Gainwell, D’Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon.
Receivers such as Britain Covey, who had a huge Super Bowl returning punts, as well as Olamide Zaccheaus, an import from Atlanta, figure to get work. And as always, you can count on seeing most of the rookies get their feet wet in game action.
To wit:
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter: The ninth overall selection in the draft has stacked together some interesting days of practice, difficult as it is to assess the sudden fury he brings in non-tackling practices. The Ravens always have tough, rear-end-kicking offensive linemen. Keep an eye on him.
Defensive end Nolan Smith: Listed at 6-3, 235, he’s the Todd Pinkston of defensive linemen, which is to say thin. Smith also is very, very fast. He clocked 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Smith plays that fast albeit in the controlled practice settings.
Offensive tackle Tyler Steen: The product of Alabama has gotten a lot of compliments from teammates, and he’s at least subtly impressed coaches. At 6-5, 315 pounds, he seems better suited to left tackle, which he played last season, than right guard, the position the Eagles need to fill.
Safety Sydney Brown: Still don’t see why people are raving about the product of Illinois, who at 6-0, 205 is powerfully built but at least so far has played less than the 4.47 he ran at the combine. The Eagles spent a third-round pick on him.
Cornerback Kelee Ringo: At 6-2, 210 pounds, the fourth-round selection out of Georgia has coveted size. He ran a sizzling 4.36 at the combine. Beyond the skillset, he looks like a project right now. A great preseason could change this mind.
Quarterback Tanner McKee: The 6-6, 230-pound product of Stanford couldn’t beat Nick Foles in the 40. When McKee falls, he does it in sections, like a high rise blown up with explosives. There’s not much more to say except that he can throw it better than Marcus Mariota.
Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo: Ojomo is the bargain basement equivalent of Calijah Kancey, who the Buccaneers took off the board with the 19th overall pick. Ojomo (6-2, 284) has a lot of work to do to make the roster.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said none of his team’s established starters will see duty against the Eagles. That includes quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is nursing a sore knee.
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