The Eagles will get one last look at their reserve defenders Friday night when they face the Bengals in the preseason finale. Ty Robinson is pushing for more snaps in Vic Fangio’s defensive line rotation. Jose Ramirez and Keyshawn James-Newby need to separate themselves in the edge competition, while the final jobs at cornerback and safety remain unsettled.
With Cincinnati resting its starters, Philadelphia’s backups should get extended work against the Bengals’ reserves. Here are 10 potential matchups to watch, depending on how both teams rotate their personnel.
1. Ty Robinson vs. Jacob Bayer
Robinson has three sacks through two preseason games, including two in the loss to New England. He’s giving the Eagles a reason to expand his role behind Jordan Davis.
On snaps over center,
watch Robinson’s pad level when Bayer gets help from a guard. He has to anchor against double-teams without getting washed out of the running lane. When Cincinnati leaves Bayer alone in pass protection, Robinson needs to push the pocket and take away the quarterback’s room to step up.
2. Byron Young vs. Corey Robinson II
Young is competing for rotational snaps behind an established starting defensive front, and his early-down work could determine how much Fangio uses him.
Against Robinson, winning first contact and getting his hands inside will be important. If the guard reaches him and seals him away from the ball, Cincinnati can open a running lane and get blockers onto Philadelphia’s linebackers. Young needs to stay square, hold his ground and shed when the back commits. Those plays can earn him snaps even without a sack.
3. Gabe Hall vs. Liam Brown
Hall needs to give the Eagles a reason to carry another defensive tackle. Against Brown, that means knocking the guard backward, locating the ball and getting off the block in time to finish.
Penetration helps, but Hall cannot charge upfield and leave a cutback lane underneath him. His passing-down reps are worth watching, too. Winning a one-on-one block without help from a stunt would strengthen his argument for a spot in the rotation.
4. Jose Ramirez vs. Javon Foster
Ramirez has an opportunity to show he can beat a tackle with more than his first move. If he threatens Foster’s outside shoulder, can he convert speed to power? If Foster oversets to protect the edge, can Ramirez counter inside?
Those are the rushes that can produce pressure before the quarterback gets rid of the ball. Running a wide arc behind the pocket won’t be enough. Ramirez also has to keep contain when the play calls for it and avoid giving the quarterback an escape lane.
5. Keyshawn James-Newby vs. Christian Jones
James-Newby’s early-down snaps could be more revealing than his third-down rushes. Cincinnati can test the rookie by running directly at him and forcing him to take on Jones.
If Jones gets into his chest and turns him, the Bengals can keep attacking that side. James-Newby needs to play underneath the tackle’s pads, create separation and keep his outside arm free when he’s responsible for setting the edge. With limited roster space, tackles on the kicking units would help his case as well.
6. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (if he plays) vs. Josh Johnson
Johnson gives Trotter a different test than a rookie quarterback still learning the offense. The veteran can recognize pressure, adjust the protection and get the ball out before a blitzer arrives.
Trotter’s timing will matter. Showing his rush too early gives Cincinnati a chance to account for him. When he drops into coverage, he needs enough depth to close the throwing windows behind the linebackers. Philadelphia needs a dependable option behind Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell, including when opponents spread the field and throw.
7. Smael Mondon vs. Kendall Milton
Mondon has to beat blockers to the spot without overrunning Milton’s cutback. Watch his first two steps, whether he stays square, and how quickly he gets downhill once the running lane develops.
Taking the wrong shoulder of a blocker can turn a short gain into an open-field tackling problem. On passing downs, a checkdown to Milton would test Mondon’s closing angle and ability to finish. Those skills also matter for a reserve linebacker trying to earn regular work on special teams.
8. Kelee Ringo vs. Mitch Tinsley
In press coverage, watch Ringo’s feet before his hands. Lunging for a jam can put him in recovery mode immediately, particularly if Tinsley wins the release inside.
Ringo needs to stay patient at the line, carry the route and avoid grabbing when the receiver changes direction. Downfield, he must locate the football when he’s in position or play through Tinsley’s hands when he’s trailing. Philadelphia needs an outside backup who can survive third-down targets without extending possessions through holding or interference penalties.
9. Shaun Wade vs. Noah Thomas
Wade’s ability to get his hands on the football has kept him in the roster conversation. His coverage against Thomas could be just as important Friday.
When playing off coverage, Wade needs to close on underneath throws without surrendering an easy double move. Against vertical routes, he has to maintain his leverage and avoid turning a contested catch into a penalty. The Eagles can live with some short completions. Allowing those catches to become first downs because of poor pursuit angles or missed tackles is another issue.
10. Andre’ Sam vs. Josh Kattus
Kattus gives Sam a block-or-release read that can become difficult against play-action. When Sam is responsible for the tight end, he cannot attack the run fake and leave a passing lane behind him.
When he rotates into the box, the assignment changes: Find the ball, fit the proper gap and finish the tackle. Sam needs to handle both jobs without hesitation. With reserve safeties also expected to contribute on special teams, his work covering kicks could carry as much weight as his defensive snaps.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 10 defensive matchups to watch in Eagles-Bengals preseason finale
