Preseason Bird’s Eye View
ITB: 12 Players Who Can Raise Their Stock in Preseason Opener
The time has come for the Philadelphia Eagles to make their mark in the preseason.
On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Geoff Mosher and Andrew DiCecco gave players to watch in the Eagles’ matchup versus the Bengals.

GETTY IMAGES: WR Ainias Smith will get plenty of reps in the preseason.
Ainias Smith
Andrew DiCecco: “This is a big summer for him, a big preseason for him. Last preseason did not go particularly well for him, he was able to get a different perspective and take a step back because his rookie campaign started with an injury and late last season he had some success, mostly in the season finale. In training camp one-on-ones, I have noticed him being able to separate the top of routes and work with Jalen Hurts after practice…No one has seem to reigns on the punt return job, this is where I think he can provide some gameday value.”
Johnny Wilson
Geoff Mosher: “From what we have seen in camp, the Eagles are probably going to come out against the Bengals and mix 12 personnel and 11 personnel. When it’s 12, you’ll probably see Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson out there…early in the first few days of camp, he wasn’t using his body great, however over the last few practices, Hurts has started to target him more and he’s starting to make some catches around the seams and that’s a positive development.”
Will Shipley
DiCecco: “This is where you’re really able to get a better assessment in terms of where he is…He seems to have turned a corner and is really starting to hit his stride in training camp, catching the football well, doing some good things in space.”
Drew Kendall
Mosher: “I think he has done well. He did a really nice job in one-on-one drills. I liked his combination, punch, and footwork…I’d also like to see his athleticism.”
Darian Kinnard
DiCecco: “After a year working with Jeff Stoutland, it seems like he’s really making notable strides in his game. He’s going to play a lot, but it’s the versatility that gives some stability.”
Darius Cooper
Mosher: “Cooper is a rookie free agent who gets a lot of targets with the second and third teams and he has made some plays. It seems like he either catches a touchdown or helps move the ball with the second team in nearly every practice.”
Gabe Hall
DiCecco: “You don’t make a move in sending Thomas Booker to the Raiders and sacrificing some of the depth if you don’t feel comfortable in someone like Gabe Hall…I’m seeing a notable difference in his consistency.”
Kelee Ringo
Mosher: “Because the Bengals are going to play their starters, I’m assuming Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase is going to be out there. Ringo has a lot to prove in year three.”
Andre’ Sam
DiCecco: “He has taken most of the second team reps…I think you’re going to see a much faster and more confident player in these games, he’s probably going to rack up a lot of tackles.”
Azeez Ojulari
Mosher: “Ojulari has really done nothing…he has been squarely behind Josh Uche as far as the newcomers and flashing and making their presence known. You would like to see him get out there and remind you that he has been a pretty good pass rusher throughout his career.”
Smael Mondon Jr.
DiCecco: “Just watching him plaster Saquon Barkley on a scramble drill in the end zone or run fits, he’s just active, he’s instinctive, and he attacks downhill. He’s just fearless at 6’2, 220 pounds. It wouldn’t surprise me if he gets double digit tackles this game.”
Sydney Brown
Mosher: “I really want to watch him within the framework of the defense. I want to see do they use him as a post safety, box safety? I think Vic (Fangio) needs to see him in both situations. We know he can come up after the snap and lay a hit over the middle, but I would like to see him get a little bit of man coverage just to see if he has improved in that area…I want to see how he is deployed and that he is comfortable and instinctive and that he is not swimming in the playbook.”
– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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