The Philadelphia Eagles practiced at the NovaCare Complex today in preparation for week four of the preseason against the New York Jets.
Prior to practice, head coach Chip Kelly addressed the media.
The last game of the preseason this Thursday night will be critical for players that are fighting for a spot on the Eagles roster.
Kelly confirmed that quarterback Matt Barkley will start on Thursday against the Jets. Barkley is in competition with quarterback Tim Tebow for the team's third-string quarterback spot.
"I don't feel any pressure at all," Barkley said. "I don't think it's anything except an exciting opportunity. I've been in this place before to have to impress and move the ball down the field."
Neither Barkley or Tebow have necessarily made a great case to make the roster. Barkley is a traditional pocket-passer. Over the preseason, Barkley is 23-for-43 for 306 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Whereas Tebow has gone 10-for-19 for 97 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions.
Kelly claimed that Barkley has the arm talent to make any throw on the football field, but the game against the Jets will provide a good calculation of how the quarterback has progressed.
"I think Matt can make all of the throws in this offense," Kelly said. "It's just about getting acclimated, decision making and he's done a really nice job of it. I think he's better now than when we first got him, and he's shown improvement in every year. I think he's really well versed in what we do. He's got a big night again on Thursday night, but I know he's excited about it."
Tebow has never been spectacular in terms of throwing the ball in the NFL, his career completion percentage is 47.9 percent. However, Tebow provides a running threat at the quarterback position. He has 50 rushing yards on ten attempts this preseason, including a touchdown.
Yesterday, Kelly said that he believes Tebow has also gotten better in his time as an Eagle.
The Eagles have proved that they are interested in seeing what Tebow can do in short yardage situations. The Eagles experimented with Tebow twice during Saturday night's win over the Green Bay Packers. However, the Eagles were unsuccessful on both of the two-point conversion attempts.
The game on Thursday night will be critical for other players on the Eagles roster.
Outside linebacker Marcus Smith didn't participate in practice today. He might not play against the Jets on Thursday night. He played in week one of the preseason against the Indianapolis Colts, but a hamstring injury stuttered his development.
"You've got to evaluate him on what's available," Kelly said. "He did play in the first preseason game and then obviously got hurt while we were training with the Ravens. So we have that, we have last spring to work off of with Marcus and then obviously the practices and training sessions we had before he got hurt, so that's what we have to go off of with him."
Ed Reynolds, Chris Prosinki and Jerome Couplin are competing for a backup safety position. Kelly said that all three have experience in the system. Thursday night, one of them will have to step up to make the roster.
"This is what's presented to us and come Friday morning we'll have to make some decisions and it will be based upon the evidence that we have in front of us," Kelly said.
Without a doubt, Thursday night is going to be critical for players who want to continue wearing midnight green.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
