EAGLES STARTING OFFENSE HAS YET TO SHOW ITSELF THIS PRESEASON

Al Thompson
Eagles backup cornerback Mitchell White intercepts a pass to end the Eagles 20-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. Photo by Andy Lewis / contrastphotography.com

If the Eagles have an explosive, productive offense, they seem hell bent on keeping it a secret.

The Birds scored on the opening drive of their preseason opener against Green Bay and didn’t spike the ball for the rest of that game or the first 29 minutes, 13 seconds of the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at the Linc.

The Eagles scored on a one-yard run by Byron Marshall with 3:00 left in the fourth quarter to edge the Bills 20-16.

Eagles cornerback Mitchell White, who was cut last week and re-signed two days ago, came up with an interception to end the game.

Carson Wentz played most of the first quarter and was under center for four drives. The first three were three-and-outs including a sack of Wentz by Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes.

The fourth drive started at the Eagles six-yard line and went nine plays to the Buffalo 27-yard line. But a LeGarrette Blount fumble gave the ball back to the Bills and sent Wentz to the bench for the rest of the game.

Wentz finished 5 of 8 for 56 yards, no TDs, he was sacked once and earned a 83.6 quarterback rating.

Alshon Jeffery caught two passes for 23 yards in his debut as an Eagle. Bount accouted for 23 yards on five rushes for eight yards and two catches for 15 yards.

Matt McGloin came in and eventually led the Eagles to a touchdown, a six-yard run by Corey Clement, a South Jersey native and 2012 Footballstories High School Player of the Year.

The touchdown made the score 13-3. Caleb Sturgis was two of three on field goals, missing a 45-yarder for the second preseason game in a row.

Buffalo drove to the Eagles eight-yard line with eight seconds left. But and in complete pass intended for Zay Jones, defended by C.J. Smith was ruled out of bounds and the Bills settled for a short field goal to make the score 13-6 at the half.

Buffalo starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor finished his quarter-plus time in the game 8 of 18 for 53 yards, two interceptions, he was sacked twice.

The Eagles starters played well with Jordan Hicks recording a sack as did Mychal Kendricks.

Kendricks and newly acquired defensive back Ronald Darby intercepted Taylor before they all called it a night.

Clement, who rushed for 34 yards on eight carries, talked about keeping his focus.

“I felt a lot more calm and being able to handle all of the situations, like catching out the backfield,” Clement said. “I think it is definitely vital from game one to game two to expand on a lot of things as far as corrections. Duce and I always film study, everybody is always in a room, and it’s all about how you take constructive criticism. You have to take it to your fullest advantage and use it to perform out here.”

Clement played for Wisconsin in the Big 10 which in known for its huge stadiums and massive crowds. When talking about his feeling of his first touchdown at a maybe 60 percent full Lincoln Financial Field, it was interesting.

“It was a dream come true,” Clement said. “Having the chance to score at Lincoln Financial Field and all of those years that I drove over the [Walt Whitman and Ben Franklin Bridge] and seeing it from the distance, feeling the crowd behind me was truly an honor. I had to work for it and it wasn’t given so now I’m just looking for the next one.”

18 Aug 17 - Eagles, Football, NFL - Al Thompson - No Comments