Eagles' 16-10 loss to Jets an anti-climatic conclusion to anti-climatic preseason

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The best part of the Eagles' 16-10 loss to the New York Jets in the preseason finale Thursday night was realizing that the next time they're on the field, the game will count. And though the final preseason game mattered to dozens of players trying to make the Eagles or impress personnel staffs elsewhere, it was an anti-climactic conclusion to an anti-climactic preseason.

The end of the game was actually exciting, with the Eagles trying to score a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. But fourth-string quarterback Dane Evans could not lead the Eagles into the end zone, and the Eagles were left with their second loss of August. Those standings will be forgotten by the time the team buses made their way down the New Jersey Turnpike. The regular season results will be what matters, which is why Eagles coach Doug Pederson approached the preseason as he did.

Pederson sat his regular players more than usual this summer, and  on Thursday he sat many of his reserves, too. With No. 2 quarterback Nick Foles sidelined, the Eagles sent Matt McGloin onto the field with a cast of backup linemen and skill players. Most will be out of work by Labor Day.

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"The message here in the locker room tonight was that I appreciate all their effort throughout camp, and really through OTAs," Pederson said. "I wanted them to make the decisions tough on us. And these battle [reporters] are talking about, we want them to make them tough. Make these decisions hard. These next two days will be very important for our football team, and really, the lives of some young men we're going to have to let go."

The Eagles have 86 players. They will dismiss 33  in the next two days, with a deadline of 4 p.m.  Saturday. Some might return to the practice squad. Others might be claimed by other teams. A few who make the initial 53-man roster could be waived after 24 hours if the Eagles find a better option elsewhere. Because there was no cut-down from 90 to 75 players this year, more players will be on the waiver wire than ever before.

Thursday's game lacked the Tim Tebow-mania from the last time the Eagles ended the preseason in MetLife Stadium, but there were roster competitions at just about every position except quarterback.

At running back, the Eagles started undrafted rookie Corey Clement. The Glassboro native finished his strong summer with four carries for 16 yards, making it a difficult decision for Eagles coaches.

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"This is going to be hopefully pretty special," Clement said. "I've been fighting all camp from the bottom and trying to work my way to the top. If anyone understands the amount of sacrificing I had to do to go up the depth chart, it's a lot."

Fourth-round pick Donnel Pumphrey has the draft status, but he has been outplayed by Clement. Pumphrey had 10 yards on seven carries and one catch for 3 yards. He also wasn't particularly slippery on his punt returns, putting the front office in a tough position this weekend to judge his potential against his production. Pumphrey left the game in the second half with a head injury. Byron Marshall led the Eagles with 15 carries for 56 yards.

"We've got the next 48 hours to really go back and have some good conversation," Pederson said. "We want to be able to look at the entire body of work going back to April."

Fellow fourth-round pick Mack Hollins led the receivers in the first half. He caught three of his four targets for 25 yards and was the best receiver on the field. But Hollins' status is not in question; he'll be the team's fourth receiver this season. It's the spots behind him that are more open.

Marcus Johnson, who has been high on the depth chart, scored the Eagles' first touchdown when  Evans lofted a pass to him for a 41-yard score. He also played special teams. He's a favorite for the No. 5 wide receiver spot. Bryce Treggs impressed Pederson with four catches for 41 yards.

On the defensive line, sixth-round pick Elijah Qualls shared  a sack with Gabe Wright and also had a tackle for a loss. Veteran Beau Allen, who will be the third defensive tackle, played in the first quarter for the first time this summer. Destiny Vaeao, who was the fourth defensive tackle for all of last season, was sidelined with an injury. Qualls could force the Eagles to keep five defensive tackles. Wright finished with 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble.

The linebacker competition was made murky by fifth-round pick Nate Gerry's absence. Gerry has been out all week with a hamstring injury. Joe Walker started at middle linebacker and is pushing for a roster spot. He had two quarterback hits, including one that briefly sent Jets starting quarterback Josh McCown to the sideline.

New cornerback Dexter McDougle played for the first time in an Eagles uniform. He deflected a pass against his former team and should hope that he did enough to impress his new coaching staff in a short period to factor into the roster mix. But the slot cornerback job might already be determined, since veteran Patrick Robinson was held out with other notable reserves. Robinson appears in line to take that job.

"We feel real comfortable with him in the slot, and then the addition of McDougle," Pederson said. "We feel comfortable there."

Jaylen Watkins, who has alternated between safety and cornerback in his career, had a pass break-up and near-interception while starting on the outside. Watkins briefly left the game with a foot injury before returning to action. His versatility and experience in the system could work in his favor.

The Eagles' only score for most of the game was a 33-yard field goal late in the first half. It's worth noting that new long-snapper Rick Lovato had a clean delivery to Donnie Jones, who held for Caleb Sturgis. Jones did not punt and should be the punter and holder this season. The Eagles otherwise barely threatened to score until Evans found Johnson for the touchdown.

That will go on the preseason highlight reel for those willing to subject themselves to watching it. But there was little captivating about the preseason, which isn't bad news for a team that reached the regular season with a mostly healthy roster. The best news is they've finally reached it at all.