It’s become the main topic of conversation among Eagles fans, and here's what's strange: If things go according to plan, the player who the fans have become so enamored with might not take a single snap all season.
That player is rookie quarterback Nick Foles. He had another impressive showing in the Eagles’ 27-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Friday night in an NFL preseason game. He overcame an early and ill-advised interception to complete 12 of 19 passes for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns.
But what impressed his coaches and teammates wasn’t what he did as much as how he did it. And that was evident right after Foles threw the interception, when he led the Eagles on an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. That’s the kind of steady performance that could push Foles ahead of veteran Mike Kafka for the No. 2 spot behind starter Michael Vick.
“For being a rookie, he’s so calm,’’ Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. “Any time you make a mistake in this league, if you can let it go, you’re going to be fine. We all make mistakes and it’s how you respond to it that counts. And Nick has done a great job with that.”
Said coach Andy Reid: “He came back and he kept firing (after the interception). You look at that, as a coach -- does he get gun shy or does he continue to fire. And he stayed aggressive.”
Foles said the key to that was to simply go out and play the game he’s played since he was a little kid and not worry about the consequences.
“I’m having a blast,’’ Foles said. “There’s nothing like it, when you go out there and you’re on the field with your guys that you worked with all week -- it’s special.”
Graham cracking: Defensive end Brandon Graham has heard plenty of criticism the last two seasons because the former first-round pick has never lived up to that draft-day status, and the fact that he had a serious knee injury in his rookie season didn’t seem to faze those critics at all. They simply pointed to his lack of production -- three sacks in two seasons.
Well, Graham has been one of the stars of the preseason. He had two sacks against the Browns and now has three in three preseason games, as well several QB pressures.
Before camp started, Graham had predicted that this would be a breakout season for him and nothing that has happened since has change his mind.
“If you guys thought that was good,’’ Graham told reporters after the Browns game, “I feel like there’s no telling what will happen next.’’
More happy returns: Rookie wide receiver Damaris Johnson continues to be one of the big stories of preseason, and it appears the player who wasn’t even drafted now has a lock on a roster spot.
Johnson had another good game returning punts Friday night, averaging 14 yards on four attempts, including a 30-yarder. But even though returning punts is his key to making the team, he’s also making his mark as a receiver. Against the Browns, he caught two 29-yard passes, one of which set up a touchdown.
Still, Johnson’s humble start in the NFL as an undrafted player has kept him from getting overconfident. When asked if he feels secure now, he said: “No, I wouldn’t say that. I’ve never felt like that, even in college. I’m just trying to go out there and make some plays.”
This and that: Reid said Vick (bruised ribs) should be ready for the season opener in Cleveland. “He feels better,’’ Reid said. “That’s a plus.’’ … The competition is still intense between veteran Joselio Hanson and rookie Brandon Boykin for the nickel cornerback position. It’s an important position, even though it’s not a starting one, because so many NFL teams now use formations with three and four receivers. … The Eagles committed seven penalties vs. the Browns, which isn’t good. But it’s a lot better than the 16 they had on Monday night vs. the Patriots. … The Eagles are off on Saturday. They’ll have a short workout on Sunday afternoon, then later that night they’ll hold their fourth annual “Flight Night,’’ where fans can watch them practice at Lincoln Financial Field, with all ticket proceeds going to the Eagles’ Youth Partnership.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSSportsNFLPHI.
