Philadelphia Eagles Reserves To Face Indianapolis Colts

Jul 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Dennis Kelly (67) and guard Donald Hawkins (78) battle during training camp drills at the Novacare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Left Guard Dennis Kelly versus inside linebacker Josh McNary

This match-up is truly the battle of the backups.    A now healthy Kelly returns to the line-up and will slide into the left guard spot for injured pro bowler Mathis, while Colts backup McNary will cover the inside linebacker position for injured colts Jerell Freeman.   The loss of Freeman will certainly have an impact on the Colts defense, as Freeman has been the Colt’s leading tackler with 145 tackles in 2012 and 126 in 2013.    Freeman’s absence will hurt the Colts  nearly as much in the passing game as the running game, as Freeman was a play-maker and a good coverage linebacker.     Josh McNary is in his second year, having been signed out of West Point to the Colts with a three year league minimum contract.   But he was not dissuaded by his contract, as he joined the team and quickly earned the reputation as the most athletic linebackers on the roster.  McNary himself recently returned to health.  In an interview with ESPN’s Mike Wells, he explained:

"“Physically I just had to recondition and get my legs back under me and everything from a mental standpoint,” McNary said. “I think I’m set from a mental side of it … Definitely, you always want that opportunity and when you’re not starting it’s something you’re always striving for. So when you get the opportunity you want to make sure you do what you can with it, maximize it and not look back.”"

Likewise, Dennis Kelly is returning from a nagging back injury that occurred in 2012 and required surgery in late summer of 2013.   Kelly was a 5th round draft selection of 2013 from the University of Purdue.  Injured in 2013, Kelly had something to prove this year.  Despite being behind sure starters, he stood out in preseason film footage alongside suspended tackle Lane Johnson.  In fact, the Eagles reserve line was one of preseason’s mild surprises.  In the last preseason game, the Birds held their starters out and let the reserves play.   The results were impressive.  No sacks allowed.  Dominating performance by the team.  In short, a good game.  And at right guard?  Dennis Kelly.

“One of the reasons we kept Dennis Kelly   is he earned a spot on this team as an offensive lineman. ” – Chip Kelly

Dennis Kelly looked strong in each of his preseason outings.   In fact, the second string offensive line was good as a whole as well.  it was that play which gave reassurance to the fans who feared 2014 was an injury away from a good season to a nightmare.  In game one, that fear was faced as two starters went out in the Jacksonville Jaguars game with a score of 17-0, and the Eagles came back to win 34-17, with both David Molk and Andrew Gardner playing out of their natural position.  Head coach Chip Kelly was questioned about Dennis Kelly after the victory over the Jaguars, and he had this to say:

"“Dennis played really, really well in the preseason. I think he’s a year removed from his injury and one of the guys showed a real steady improvement as the preseason went along. Felt he really solidified himself as a guard and in what we do schematically he is a guard and we were really happy with him. One of the reasons we kept him is he earned a spot on this team as an offensive lineman. Obviously today you are happy that you have a guy like Dennis around.”"

I can’t argue with the “Chippah”.

Advantage: Slightly Eagles