Titans at Eagles
Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday 8/8 at 7:30 pm (ET)
Location: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
Betting Odds: PHI -3.5 via Oddsshark
Network: WKRN, WCAU
Tennessee Titans
A Rookie at Right Guard?
Coming into training camp the offensive line has mostly been set except for the right guard spot. It was thought to be Kevin Pamphile’s to lose and he may have done just that as he is in competition with third-round rookie Nate Davis for the starting gig. Davis makes the jump from Charlotte University in North Carolina, not exactly playing top-notch competition there in Conference USA. It will be a big test for Davis in the preseason as he plays NFL competition and the Titans will get a good feel for if he is ready for the NFL. He gets thrown right into the proverbial fire against the Eagles and their deep defensive front this first game.
Number Three Wide Receiver
In Tennessee, Corey Davis is the number one receiver and Adam Humphries is the number two/slot receiver. After that, a few guys are trying to earn the third receiver spot. The names to watch are veterans Tajae Sharpe, Taywan Taylor, Darius Jennings, and second-round rookie A.J. Brown. The veterans failed to make much impact last year so it will be interesting to see if one of them stands out this preseason. The first depth chart that has come out has Taylor as the number three receiver but take that with a grain of salt as it is very early in the preseason still. When games get started, these are the guys that we should keep tabs on to see who can take control of the job.
Suspension Looming
Another offensive line question and something to observe during the preseason. Left tackle Taylor Lewan was handed down a four-game suspension to start the season, which is troubling news for quarterback Marcus Mariota as he has never played all 16 games in his four-year career. Also, right tackle Jack Conklin is back practicing after tearing his ACL last season, it will be interesting to see how he looks and his body responds this preseason. It could be troubling for this offense if Conklin can’t get back to all-pro form quickly, while the Titans deal with Lewan’s suspension. Especially with the Titans having a very tough schedule to open the season, they go on the road to Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Atlanta and host division rival Indianapolis in week two.
Philadelphia Eagles
Running Back Roles
Last season, the Eagles dealt with several injuries to their running backs. This thrust reserves Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood into more prominent roles and those two led the team in carries last year. The Eagles moved on from veteran Jay Ajayi (still a free agent), resigned Darren Sproles, traded for early-down grinder Jordan Howard, and drafted Miles Sanders in the second round of the draft. They also return Adams and Smallwood and get back Super Bowl Hero Corey Clement back from injury. The Eagles could realistically move on from their top two rushers last season. Sanders and Howard are currently battling over lead-back duties and that will be something to keep an eye on throughout camp. Sproles has long been known for his work in the passing game and Clement himself has shown some ability in the passing game. No matter how this shakes out, the Eagles under head coach Doug Pederson have always used a running back by committee and don’t expect that to change this season. The major thing to watch is who gets the lead-back role and who gets the coveted passing game role.
Corner Back Competition
The Eagles dealt with a rash of injuries at cornerback last season. Starters Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills missed a combined 15 games, and their reserves shuffled in and out of the lineup as well with Rasul Douglas the only one to play all 16 games. Darby is the number one corner in Philly and is expected to be back for week one this year but has yet to participate fully in camp. Douglas and third-year corner Sidney Jones are the projected starters for the Eagles as of right now, they have gotten first team-work throughout camp so far. Mills is on the PUP list and hasn’t practiced yet. Second-year corner Avonte Maddox was penciled in as the slot corner to start camp but they may change with the Eagles signing veteran slot CB Orlando Scandrick recently. The Eagles round out their cornerback group with veterans trying to add depth in Blake Countess, Josh Hawkins, and Deiondre’ Hall. This is a stout defense and the Eagles need a few of these corners to step up this year after the position was in flux for most of last year.
Embarrassment of Riches
The Eagles have one of, if not, the deepest roster in the NFL. They have deep rotations on the lines and playmakers throughout their offense and defense. Two of their top-three draft picks this last year aren’t supposed to be in the starting lineup (first-round tackle Andre Dillard and receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside). The Eagles are projected to have the number one offensive line, without Dillard, this season according to PFF. Arcega-Whiteside meanwhile is behind receivers Alshon Jeffrey, DeSean Jackson, and Nelson Agholor. The Eagles also boast the best tight-end tandem in the league in Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert and have several running backs on the roster that could garner some touches every week. Health permitting, this should be one of the more dynamic offenses in the league and fantasy football players should want pieces of it if they can get it. This preseason, see which skill position players get extended time with the first-team offense and if the Eagles are running a good amount of two TE/using four WR/or multiple RB’s at the same time.
-Kevin Taylor