Battle Red Blog
The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotions from the aftermath of a game diminish into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover no longer haunts the mind. With that, a review of Preseason Week 2:
Slovis takes the lead in the QB3 battle. Again, without insight into the coaches’ room, if going off game action, Slovis appears to be in good shape to open as the QB3 for the team. Given the 3rd quarter, Slovis made the most of it. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping (5-of-12 for 51 yards), he did make some game plays that showed a competitive fire, and will do much to help his case for a roster spot. His improvisation quick dump off on a 3rd and short while taking a massive shot that delivered a drive-extending 3rd down showcased some field awareness and guts and set up a FG. His turning a busted play into a long 1st down scramble on the subsequent drive also showcased some needed fight. He didn’t make the major mistake, and while disappointing he couldn’t finish a key 3rd quarter drive with a TD on a 4th-and-goal at the 5 to start the 4th quarter, he certainly showed some things that would make him a good 3rd string QB. Mertz, at least, didn’t make the dumb mistake, but given the course of the game in the 4th quarter, there wasn’t much for him to showcase. This sets up perhaps the biggest plot line for the 3rd preseason game…who wins the QB3 spot.
John Metchie…his Texans’ finale. Looks like one of the intriguing roster questions just got an answer. The former second rounder showed flashes of potential, but just never seemed to elevate his game. Yes, he whooped cancer’s [KITTEN] while coming back from a torn ACL, but he never lived up to the 2nd round billing. His last Texans game: 1 catch for 8 yards on 3 targets. Didn’t exactly get the biggest showcase, mainly playing in the second and third quarter (Mills and Slovis being the QBs). This would be the second highly drafted Texan sent to Philly, as Howie Roseman took a flyer on Kenyon Green. Metchie leaves Houston with 40 receptions for 412 yards and one TD. Oh, and Houston gets back the 5th rounder they sent out with Green.
The interior of the line still looking good, again. It is preseason and the 1st unit wasn’t out there long, and it was against Carolina, but man, did that line get some legit good push up front. Nick Chubb had 25 yards rushing on 5 carries, but in watching his runs, you noticed that Chubb didn’t get touched until he was well past the line of scrimmage. Give Chubb that much head of steam, especially with a back known for power, and good things can and will happen. Both the left and right sides of the line moved bodies around and Stroud didn’t face all that much pressure. There are some...
