3 things to watch as Eagles kick off preseason vs. Colts Sunday

The Eagles look like a team completely in synch and on the same page in training camp.

As a cohesive unit, the Eagles offense is swift and quick, with Sam Bradford and the Birds’ quarterbacks finding their targets down field with ample time and accuracy.

And on defense, the strength and speed is easily discernible as the revamped unit looks to build off its confidence daily at the NovaCare center.

But when they cross the street to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday, everything could change.

With the Colts slated to face Philly in its first preseason game, a 1 p.m. kickoff, the jury is still out on many roster spots, position battles, and most importantly how this team will react to a full-speed, full-contact game. Here are three things we at Metro will be watching this weekend.

Tackle football time

It’s no secret that Chip Kelly has a lot of guys returning from injuries on his roster, and a few more who have big question marks as to their ability to contribute.

While the coach is closely monitoring practices with his sports science regimen, it doesn’t matter how good his team looks in drills in practice.

“People come out really good on 7-on-7,” Riley Cooper said after practice earlier this week,”and when you have the pads on and people are trying to take your head off and playing real football, the game is a little different. Some guys can look great in 7 on 7, wide receivers,running backs and quarterbacks, and with them pads on it’s a different ball game.”

If Bradford starts be sure to watch how his pocket presence and how he looks after taking his first hit.

Who playswhere?

Kelly is very high on players who can play multiple positions, and he has a lot of them on his 90-man roster. However, there is a lot left to be determined as to who will start and where.

While playing time is not a pivotal measure of importance in the first preseason game, it will be interesting to see what groups and packages see the field, and for how long Sunday.

“We have an idea of what we want to do with each player as the games go on,” Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “What we want to do with the 1’s and 2’s and 3’s. It’s in pencil, a broad stroke of how we want the preseason to lookand as you get towards each game you write it in pen.”

Old friends

While the game technically means nothing, there will be a little extra motivation on both sides as the Colts boast some familiar faces.

The Eagles’ two longest-tenured players prior to this season wereguard Todd Herremans and defensive end/linebacker Trent Cole, both of whom will be lining up opposite their former teammates Sunday.

And in addition, running back Frank Gore who reportedly came very close to being the Eagles’ running back this spring is also playing in Indy, making his first visit to Philly since making his offseason decision.