In the only preseason game that most fans get concerned about, the Eagles lost to the Steelers 27-13.  The starters lost 13-3.  Brian Westbrook hardly played getting just 1 carry for 2 yards.  I thought that Correll Buckhalter looked decent, although it was hard to see any cohesion in the offensive play due to the penalties.  They Birds squandered Offensive opportunities.  One illegal motion penalty by back up guard Nick Cole caused a drive to stumble in Steelers territory.  McNabb looked like himself.  His numbers were not impressive, but he was not assisted by the receiving corps which dropped some passes.  The Offensive game plan was very bland except for the use of the no huddle.    

The defense was not too good, but some things did look encouraging.  Mike Patterson was making plays.  If he can be an effective force against the run, the whole D line looks different. The team is sold on his value but I have been skeptical.  A top 10 draft pick needs to make an impact, and Mike Patterson did not do that, especially in the run game, last year. An improved Patterson makes Broderick Bunckley’s job of transitioning into a starter that much easier.  The D generated a couple of turnovers, and Bunckley was in the middle of the first one, an interception caused by good pressure on Ben Rothlisberger. Takeo Spikes caused the second in a goal line stand, when he stood up the back as he hit the hole.  Quentin Mikell covered the ball.  Speaking of Mikell, I wonder if he ends up in the starting lineup at some point, in place of Sean Considine. Considine is not impressive in run support and last night was embarrased when he hit Heath Miller on a downfield pass play, and Miller ran right through it while making the catch. Considine caught him just as the call arrived.  I thought he should have broken that play up, but he hardly seemed to have any impact. 

The linebackers are under the microscope, especially Omar Gaither.  He got steamrolled on the Steelers only touchdown in the first half.  Otherwise, I thought he was OK. I expect that the linebackers as a unit will be a work in progress that hopefully improves as the season progresses.  Chris Gocong had a lot of trouble in the open field, slipping and sliding as he tried to coral backs in space.  The Steelers made the screen pass look unstoppable at times.

Igglesblog.com put together a spotlight video of some of Chris Gocongs efforts.  Take a look.

http://www.igglesblog.com/iggles_blog/2007/08/another-look–1.html