Philadelphia Eagles to play it safe in preseason finale against New York Jets
The New York Jets barely faced any first-team players in their first two preseason games against the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.
It looks like that trend will continue in their preseason finale.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Eagles are preparing to rest “most, if not all” of their starters at MetLife Stadium on Friday night.
The #Eagles wrap up the preseason tonight against the #Jets and, based on what I’m hearing, they will once again rest most, if not all, of their starters. They had some hot, humid, physical joint practices this week, and it sounds like they’re happy with the work they got there.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 27, 2021
The Eagles clashed with the Jets in joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, NJ.
Garafolo reports that the Eagles were pleased with the results of those practices, writing, “(Philadelphia) had some hot, humid, physical joint practices this week, and it sounds like they’re happy with the work they got there.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni spoke about why he places a premium on the Eagles’ joint practices.
Nick Sirianni has said he values the #Eagles’ joint practices because they can show more of their scheme than in games, where everyone has access to the film. Plus, it provides game-type situations in a more controlled setting. We’ll see how the strategy works out. https://t.co/N7hXq81Pbu
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 27, 2021
According to Garafolo, Sirianni values joint practices because teams can unleash more of their scheme than in preseason games, where every team in the league has access to the film.
Garafolo adds that joint practices provide “game-type situations in a more controlled setting.”
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Robert Saleh’s plans for the starters are unclear
It is unclear exactly how much the Jets plan to play their starters, but Robert Saleh‘s latest statements suggested that he does want them to get a decent amount of playing time.
On Wednesday, Saleh stated that he wanted the starters to play, but probably not beyond halftime. He added that the plans were still being discussed.
Saleh wants to play the starters on Friday night but probably not more than a half – although that’s all still being discussed. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 25, 2021
Elijah Moore and Alijah Vera-Tucker are both expected to miss their third straight preseason game, although they have returned to full health. Each rookie participated in the Jets’ team drills with the Eagles and is expected to play against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1.
Mekhi Becton is likely to miss the preseason finale with a head injury but should also be good to go for the season opener.
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