Eagles-Browns takeaways: Tanner McKee sits, offense sputters, Jihaad Campbell dazzles

New York Times

16 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA — Most of the intrigue during a week when the Eagles hosted the Cleveland Browns came Wednesday and Thursday, when the two teams practiced together. Those sessions were more competitive and revealing than the Eagles' 22-13 loss on Saturday afternoon when coach Nick Sirianni sat 28 players on the 90-man roster — most of whom were being saved for the season opener on Sept. 4.
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But there was still a game, and there was still much to learn — such as these six takeaways:
1. The decision to sit No. 2 quarterback Tanner McKee was notable because it's a departure from how Sirianni approached the preseason during his first four years with the Eagles. Even though Sirianni is among the most conservative coaches when it comes to preseason playing time, he's played his backup quarterback in all three preseason games each year. The approach is different with McKee, who excelled in the preseason opener last week.
'He got a lot of good work in that joint practice,' Sirianni said. 'Sometimes we only get one joint practice. This week, we were able to get two joint practices in there. It was really good work all week, and we felt like in that situation we saw a good chunk of Tanner there and that was his work for this week.'
The Eagles have had two joint practices in the past, yet the backup quarterback played in the game. Sirianni would not say if this was the plan for McKee entering the summer or whether McKee's performance last week swayed them, but it's telling that the Eagles saw enough from their No. 2 quarterback and did not feel the need to get him live, in-game work. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie emphasizes the importance of the No. 2 quarterback to the franchise — there's a statue of Nick Foles outside the stadium, and he went from backup to Super Bowl MVP — and the organization is bullish on McKee's development. There's a reason why they traded Kenny Pickett and not McKee this offseason. It might be true that the Eagles felt McKee's work at practice this week was sufficient. But it's also likely that they know what they have in McKee, and they're being careful with him just as they are with their starters on offense.
2. With both Jalen Hurts and McKee sidelined, the competition for the No. 3 job was the story at quarterback. The Eagles totaled 64 gross passing yards (55 net yards), so it was not as if either Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Kyle McCord excelled. They rotated throughout the game, with the plan of alternating every two series so both quarterbacks can play with the second- and third-team players.
Jalen Hurts
Eagles
'I felt like it was just not great complementary football today,' Sirianni said. 'Obviously, they had some good moments and had some plays that they made, but also we missed some plays. But, that's not always just on the quarterback if there was a misplay. I'll have to go watch the tape. It wasn't good enough out there on the field today. Coaching, playing, anything.'
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Thompson-Robinson appeared to be the inferior of the two quarterbacks. He started the game and went 5 of 8 for 17 yards and an interception returned for a touchdown. McCord went 8 of 16 for 47 yards and a touchdown, although he also misfired passes. The highlight was a touchdown pass that came while he stood in the pocket and took a crushing hit that drew a flag for roughing the passer, yet McCord still completed the pass.
'As a quarterback, that's your way to show toughness,' McCord said. 'There's not too many times where you're physically showing your toughness. And so when the opportunity presents itself, and it's zero blitz, and you can stand in there to throw a touchdown, I think that's your way to exemplify that.'
The next week and preseason finale will determine this job, but I'd give the edge to McCord if the roster needed to be cut to 53 players this weekend.
3. If you're looking for a bright spot in this game — outside of Drew Mukuba's performance, which Brooks Kubena documented — then the first-round pick should leave you encouraged.
Jihaad Campbell rushed from the second level on the second play of the game, accelerating through the middle of Cleveland's line to sack quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Even if it takes time to develop as a potential edge rusher, his ability to rush the quarterback as a blitzer is going to be a tool for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to exploit. The way Campbell moves at his size is different. The closing speed on the sack was an example. Combine that skill with range in coverage and aggressiveness while swarming the ball, and it's likely he will be the Day 1 starter next to Zack Baun. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. made strides in his development this summer, but it's hard to compare the athleticism and versatility that Campbell offers next to Baun. There weren't many players on the field Saturday who the Eagles will rely upon on Sundays this season, but Campbell was one of them — and he's only scratching the surface.
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'It's a day-by-day process,' Campbell said. 'Just being that versatile piece, on the edge, off the edge, playing off (the) ball, and I just really, just appreciate (Fangio) and all the other defensive coaches just to grant the opportunity to learn and grow. Just keep understanding the whole defensive scheme and really the whole defensive playbook, so I can continue to go out there and make plays with my teammates.'
4. Tyler Steen has the starting right guard spot locked up with fewer than three weeks to go before the season opener. That's been apparent throughout the summer, and the decision to sit Steen after he played in the preseason opener cemented that status. The reserve offensive line spots appear shakier than in past years. The Eagles struggled in protection during this game (and even throughout the week), and there's more ambiguity about the depth linemen than in past years. Matt Pryor, a veteran who started at right tackle, allowed a bad sack and committed a false start. Neither rookie tackle (Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams) appears ready to play on gamedays. It's hard to say who the sixth and seventh best offensive linemen will be entering this season. That might seem like nitpicking, except this is a franchise that has had the luxury of starting-caliber linemen as reserves.
Brett Toth, who has taken the first-team snaps at left guard in Landon Dickerson's place this week, started at that spot. It was notable that rookie Drew Kendall moved from center to left guard while Toth returned to center in the second half. This might be a way to prepare Toth for a versatile gameday role, although the Eagles might want Kendall to be the top reserve on the interior. Kendall, who has stuck to center this summer, worked at guard during walkthroughs leading up to the game.
'I don't know what the hardest part (of the change) is,' Kendall said. 'I think it's just a familiarity thing, like when you're so used to playing in one spot, even in the huddle, I was calling for the huddle sometimes and I was like, 'Wait, I'm not center.''
The Eagles still hope Dickerson returns for Week 1. And when they have their starting five together, it might be the best group in the NFL. But if their depth is tested this season, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland might need to demonstrate his magic with development.
5. The ineffective passing game meant there were no standout performances among the wide receivers, but give Ainias Smith credit for taking a step this summer after a disappointing rookie season. Smith caught his second touchdown in as many preseason games and led receivers with 19 total yards. He has four catches on five targets in two games.
'I feel healthy — being able to get back and work hard this offseason, getting a true OTA, that was a little different, and continue to get better and improve,' Smith said.
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It was a quiet game for Darius Cooper, who was a standout in last week's preseason opener. Cooper did not have a catch and was targeted once, although his special teams involvement could help his chances of making the 53-man roster. The Eagles are unsettled at wide receiver after A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson (who did not play on Saturday).
Johnny Wilson, Smith, and Cooper appear to be the top contenders for two or three spots.
6. This was not the best week for the Eagles. Dickerson injured his knee last Sunday, another week passed without separation at No. 2 cornerback, and the Eagles did not outplay the Browns in practices before a lackluster performance in the preseason game.
'It's hard to score points when you move backwards and I just felt like we had a couple too many that we moved backwards on, and that's for different reasons,' Sirianni said. 'Whether that's a pre-snap penalty, whether that's a negative run, whether that's a sack, all those things stall drives out. That's what I felt like with that second day of practice, more so than anything.'
This might not matter in a month. They practiced without A.J. Brown and Dickerson (plus Lane Johnson for one of the sessions), and some players can fast-forward to Sept. 4. The Eagles' success and their talent give them the benefit of the doubt. But there were joint practices in past years in which the Eagles clearly outplayed the opponent — and it can be an indicator for what's ahead during the season. The Eagles should hope this week is not suggestive of how they'll perform. My guess is any panic might seem like an overreaction come December, but it's at least worth keeping in the back of your mind with the season opener fast approaching.
(Top photo of Jihaad Campbell: Kyle Ross / Imagn Images)
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