Eagles Analysis: Who failed to impress during the preseason?

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Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

We all know the story of outside linebacker Marcus Smith by now. Smith was drafted in the first round in 2014 followed with a collective “who?” by Eagles fans. The first round pick struggled to make any kind of impact in his first season and recorded zero tackles in his rookie season. This season however, Smith bulked up and looked to have made some much needed progress.

Smith had an encouraging first game versus the Indianapolis Colts, and it looked as if the light had turned on for Marcus. But the week following, Smith pulled his hamstring and missed the rest of the preseason. For Smith, every single practice and game rep mattered. Marcus desperately needed the playing time to build his game and confidence, instead he sat and like last season, contributed nothing.

Marcus’ availability for the first game of the season September 14th is in question. The team was already thin at OLB, and Smith’s injury obviously doesn’t help. Once again for two straight seasons, Marcus Smith is behind the eight ball and will need to bust his butt to catch back up. This is a big season for Marcus Smith and the Philadelphia Eagles, and it hasn’t gotten off to a good start for the second year player.

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