By Art Beitchman, DOCBLOG
As the Eagles and Patriots continued their joint practices in Foxboro as a prelude to preseason game No. 2 on Friday night, Birds QB Nick Foles has looked sharper throwing the football and Pats QB Tom Brady hasn’t been able to slice and dice the Eagles secondary as he did last year.
After a year in the new 3-4 defense, the Eagles have made much progress in strengthening this unit, especially with upgrades in the secondary which most Eagle fans will be watching with a keen eye.
Pats coach Bill Belichick has been effusive in his praise of Eagles coach Chip Kelly (photo above with Belichick), Foles, and LeSean McCoy, and the Eagles penchant for the big play last season.
With the 2005 Super Bowl 10 years in the rear view mirror, it still makes me wonder if it was a coincidence that the Pats picked off those blitzes the Eagles called and ran three straight screen passes for big yardage and a touchdown. The momentum went the Patriots way as they won their third Super Bowl —also their last — and it has always made me wonder might have been if the Pats hasn’t been stealing signals in what has come to be known as “Spygate”.
NFC East rival Washington might have some problems besides defending their name — Redskins. There are rumblings out of DC that back-up QB Kirk Cousins has looked much better running the offense than Robert Griffin III does. Mike Ross wrote that for ESPN.com after the Pats-Redskins had their joint practices a couple weeks ago. Later some Patriots concurred the sentiment about RGIII, but after giving up a king’s ransom for him, I can’t see a change coming this season.
