Connor Barwin dropped back in coverage numerous times against the Falcons and made key breakups covering a running back downfield.
By Art Beitchman
There has been a lot of hand-wringing going on in the local media about how disappointing Eagles Nation is about the Birds’ 26-24 loss in Atlanta Monday night.
Get over it. The Eagles are fine!
The Eagles high octane offense showed up in the Georgia Dome, with the only problem being that it materialized in the third quarter instead of the first!
Sam Bradford threw for 336 yards and a TD in his first game as Eagles signal-caller.
The Eagles had eight possessions in the first half, and five resulted in Donnie Jones punts — the Birds only got on the scoreboard with a field goal in the second quarter and trailed 20-3 at the half.
The offseason personnel turnover and basic unfamiliarity with new teammates probably contributed to the lack of production.
Regular season game time action was needed to get any semblance of continuity, which they finally did with three second half touchdowns.
Falcons WR Julio Jones ran open and wild the whole game, seemingly getting whatever he wanted. He torched new Eagles CB Byron Maxwell for 141 yards on 11 receptions, and two TD’s! After halftime the Birds did a better job on Jones, but the damage was done.
Also seemingly unnoticed was the Eagles linebacker unit that also saw its most significant playing time this season. Connor Barwin dropped back in coverage numerous times and made key breakups covering a running back downfield. Kiko Alonso made a TD-saving interception in the Falcons end zone — he will only get better when he’s got a handful of games under his belt. Mike Kendricks also looked active against the run, or pass, a definite bright spot going forward.
With the Monday Night loss being digested and now behind, the despised Dallas Cowboys come to town for the home opener this Sunday, September 20th — 4:25pm/FOX29.
