Marcus Smith makes a push
The Eagles (surprising) first round pick Smith from two years ago is a fringe player this year, fighting against Stephen Means for a spot onthe 53-man roster.
The pass-rusher tallied multipletacklesfor loss and looked impressive on defense while also showing hisathleticism on special teams. He may be able to hang on for one more year after a solid performance Thursday. Means didn’t go down quietly though, recording a sackto help his cause. He’s been a force all preseason and if the Eagles can find a way to keep both, they will.
Lane Johnson stays on sidelines
Anyone at Lincoln Financial Field (there was a putrid, more than half empty stadium Thursday night) or watching on TV noticed that starting right tackle Lane Johnson, who has been playing with the second unit all summer did not suit up for the game. In a move with implications that Johnson was being saved to start in Week 1 against the Browns, HalapoulivaatiVaitaistarted in his place.According to a report from Howard Eskin, Johnson’s’B sample’ for the banned substance that could garner him a 10-game suspension is expected to arrive after the season starts on September 11. The test will confirm whether or not Johnson’s second infraction against the NFL’s banned substance policy is upheld or overturned.As a result, he’ll be eligible to play in the opener — assuming the appeal isn’t determined beforehand. The Titans made a big mistake
Dorial Green-Beckham had twocatches for 31 yards during his brief earlystint on the game Thursday. Clearly the Eagles are keen on finding ways to get him the ball. And clearly the 23-year-old, whose natural gifts include a 6-foot-5, 237 pound frame, is doing all he can to make his former team regret shipping the troubled young receiver toPhiladelphia in exchange for backup, journeyman offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. DGB provides the Eagles with a durable red zone threat and along with 6-foot-3 Jordan Matthews a pair of big, intimidatingwide receivers at the top of the depth chart. If Green-Beckham can keep his head in the game and play to his potential, it could prove to be one of the best moves Howie Roseman has ever made. Bird bites