Snap Count Analysis: Eagles-Ravens Preseason Week 2
QUARTERBACKS
Sam Bradford 14 snaps (15%)
Mark Sanchez 33 (36%)
Matt Barkley 26 plays (29%)
Tim Tebow 18 (20%)
Analysis: Chip Kelly wanted Bradford to get 10-15 snaps, regardless of the amount of drives it took. The 14 snaps all came on one drive. That is about the average between what Kelly has given his starter in the first and second preseason games in Kelly's first two seasons with the Eagles.
Sanchez received most of the work because Bradford only played one drive. He remained in the game throughout the first half. Look for Sanchez's snap count to go down next week, assuming Bradford gets more playing time.
Barkley was the third quarterback again and took more snaps because the Eagles had more plays than Tebow in the third quarter than the fourth. Kelly gave them both one quarter, so this was not a case of trying to give one player more work than another.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Andrew Gardner 33 snaps (36%); ST snaps 2 (6%)
Allen Barbre 20 (22%); 2 (6%)
Lane Johnson 19 (21%); 2 (6%)
Jason Kelce 19 (21%)
Jason Peters 19 (21%)
Julian Vandervelde 59 (65%); 4 (12%)
David Molk 59 (65%); 5 (16%)
Dennis Kelly 59 (65%); 4 (12%)
Matthew Tobin 59 (65%); 5 (16%)
John Moffitt 45 (49%); 5 (16%)
Kevin Graf 13 (14%); 4 (12%)
Josh Andrews 13 (14%); 7 (22%)
Brett Boyko 13 (14%); 7 (22%)
Malcom Bunche 13 (14%); 7 (22%)
Jared Wheeler 8 (9%)
Mike Coccia 5 (5%)
Analysis: Gardner had extended work on Saturday, playing the entire first half. He hasn't relinquished any playing time at right guard, and it's becoming clear that it's his job to lose. Gardner's work with the second-team offense came at the expense of Moffitt, who had 14 fewer snaps than the other second-team linemen. The playing time for the other linemen was clearly split between the first-team, second-team, and the deep reserves. Wheeler and Coccia are behind Boyko and and Bunche among the rookie linemen. Andrews and Graf were both the team last year.
RUNNING BACKS
DeMarco Murray 10 snaps (11%)
Ryan Mathews 6 (7%)
Darren Sproles 8 (9%)
Raheem Mostert 31 plays (34%); 7 ST snaps (22%)
Kenjon Barner 18 plays (20%); 8 (25%)
Kevin Monangai 23 (25%); 4 (12%)
Analysis: Murray's 10 snaps were his first in an Eagles uniform, and he looked comfortable in the offense. Mathews is a first-team player, even though Murray is the starter. Kelly took all the running backs out at the same time. Murray played more snaps than Mathews, but they both had key roles with the top unit. Sproles is able to play on the field with one of those running backs, because he can also be used in the slot.
Barner and Mostert are competing for the No. 4 running back job, and both are playing well. Barner's special teams work and experience looks like it can give him the edge, but Mostert is opening eyes.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jordan Matthews 32 snaps (35%)
Riley Cooper 3 (3%)
Nelson Agholor 29 (32%)
Josh Huff 18 (20%)
Seyi Ajirotutu 48 (53%); 5 ST plays (16%)
Jeff Maehl 22 (24%); 9 (28%)
G.J. Kinne 14 (15%); 2 (6%)
Freddy Martino 28 (31%)
Quron Pratt 19 (21%); 8 (25%)
Rasheed Bailey 32 (35%)
Mike Johnson 13 (14%); 2 (6%)
Josh Reese 13 (14%); 2 (6%)
Analysis: Cooper's thumb injury on the first drive meant more work for Ajirotutu. There were also more snaps to go around with Miles Austin out of the lineup. The Eagles didn't play Huff that deep into the game – it's clear he's a key player in the rotation, even with limited 2014 production.
The top four receivers appear locked in, with Ajirotutu playing a key special teams role and Austin a desired veteran. Maehl has experience, but he could be the odd man out. Bailey received a chunk of playing time before leaving with a shoulder injury. The other receivers appear to be deep depth pieces.
TIGHT ENDS
Brent Celek 14 snaps (15%); 2 ST plays (6%)
Trey Burton 27 (30%); 9 (28%)
Eric Tomlinson 28 (31%); 12 (38%)
Andrew Gleichert 11 (12%); 11 (34%)
Justin Tukes 7 (8%); 4 (12%)
Analysis: Zach Ertz's injury meant more work for Burton and Tomlinson. Of the undrafted free tight ends, Tomlinson is clearly ahead. If the Eagles keep four tight ends, he seems to have the edge. If they keep three, Celek, Ertz, and Burton appear locked in.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Fletcher Cox 18 snaps (20%)
B Logan 15 (16%)
Cedric Thornton 15 (16%)
Vinny Curry 20 (22%)
Beau Allen 15 (16%)
Brandon Bair 24 (26%)
Taylor Hart 25 (26%); 3 ST plays (9%)
Wade Keliikipi 19 (21%)
Trevis Raciti 41 (45%); 3 ST play (9%)
Brian Mihalik 44 (48%); 3 (9%)
Alfy Hill 22 (24%); 3 (9%)
Analysis: The top three linemen are established and playing while the first-team offense was on the field. Among the reserve linemen, Hart entered the game early and received extended work. He had a redshirt year last year and the team is taking a look at him. Bair and Hart are both tall, long, two-gap defenders who fit a similar role.
Curry's snaps also came at outside linebacker. The Eagles wanted to see Mihalik, a seventh-round pick who is transitioning to a 3-4 defense. He took the most snaps of any defensive linemen. The defensive line group is tough to crack on the Eagles, so they likely would need to cut someone from last year if Mihalik or Raciti push for a spot.
LINEBACKERS
Connor Barwin 19 snaps (21%)
Brandon Graham 20 (22%) 1 ST play (3%)
Jordan Hicks 39 (42%); 13 (41%)
Emmanuel Acho 38 (41%); 15 (47%)
Najee Goode 34 (37%); 6 (19%)
Brad Jones 47 (51%); 10 (31%)
Diaheem Watkins 48 (52%); 11 (34%)
Bryan Braman 19 (21%); 5 (16%)
Dontae Skinner 48 (52%); 7 (22%)
Dasman McCullum 28 (30%); 1 (3%)
Analysis: With Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans, and Mychal Kendricks all sidelined, the Eagles went with a rotation at inside linebacker. Acho and Hicks started, with Skinner and Goode also coming in. The Eagles gave a lot of playing time Skinner, who has been with the team for a week. He started one game with New England last year and is already mixing in with the first-team defense. That won't be the case once the top linebackers return, but he's a name to watch. It's also noteworthy that Acho started ahead of Goode. Goode was ahead of Acho last summer.
Jones spent a lot of time at outside linebacker. The Eagles like his inside-outside versatility, and with a shortage of outside linebackers, they gave him extended work at the position. Same with Watkins, who was also a training camp signee that saw extended time. Braman is a key special teams player, but he's not viewed as a much of a defensive piece.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Byron Maxwell 19 snaps (21%)
Walter Thurmond 19 (21%); 1 ST play (3%)
Nolan Carroll 19 (21%); 1 (3%)
Malcolm Jenkins 18 (20%);
Eric Rowe 37 (40%); 18 (56%)
Ed Reynolds 73 (79%); 18 (56%)
Jerome Couplin 52 (57%); 12 (38%)
Jaylen Watkins 46 (50%); 14 (44%)
Chris Prosinski 5 (5%)
E.J. Biggers 22 (24%); 17 (53%)
Chris Maragos 17 (18%); 5 (16%)
Denzel Rice 49 (53%); 5 (16%)
Randall Evans 20 (22%); 1 (3%)
Marc Anthony 19 (21%)
Analysis: The starting four defensive backs are well established, and the Eagles used Rowe as the top nickel cornerback on Saturday. Rowe also played the majority of the special teams snaps. He will be a key role player for the Eagles this season.
The Eagles are giving Reynolds every chance to make the roster. He took the most snaps on the team for the second consecutive week. Couplin, who missed last week, also was given valuable film at safety for the coaches to assess. The Eagles are still trying to determine their depth at safety beyond Maragos. Prosinski was barely on the field after playing 54 percent of the snaps last week. He also did not get in on special teams, which is where he presents the most value.
Rice saw an uptick in snaps after playing 32 percent of the snaps in Week 1. Biggers took fewer defensive snaps, but his role on special teams was apparent.
zberman@phillynews.com
@ZBerm