Watch the rookies tonight during their very first NFL action.


The preseason is one of the most exciting time of the year for real football fans who just want to see some football, finally. Guys are out there giving every ounce of energy they can expend in an effort to realize their dreams of playing in the NFL, and it creates some of the most exciting football you'll see all year long.

Of course there are also those players who have a spot on the team because they're high draft picks or because they're established veterans, and it's exciting to see those guys in a game situation either for the very first time as in the case of the rookies, or the first time in as much as eight months for the veteran guys.

Tonight will be no different as the Philadelphia Eagles make their preseason debut against the New England Patriots. This is going to be one of the most-watched games of the preseason because it marks Brady's first game in nearly a year.

However, I'll be watching for different reasons, and paying attention to different guys.

First, the offense:

Winston Justice - Starting at Right Tackle

Justice had a phenomenal camp, and is perhaps starting to change the opinions of a lot of people with his fierce play and his understanding of an offense that once perplexed him. Add in the fact that he's finally playing his natural position of right tackle, and you have an exciting guy to watch.

He was a second round pick who has not lived up to his billing, but he has the opportunity to change all of that. Tonight he needs to show that he can carry over his great play from camp into a preseason game hitting people other than your own teammates.

As a player, there's nothing like that first pop against a guy not on your own team, and if he's not fired up for this opportunity then it is time to get rid of him. However, I don't see that as the case.

I expect Justice to come out excited. I expect to see him hitting guys and blocking all the way to the whistle, not just going through the motions like in years past. He's got a chance to show something, and I don't think he's going to pass it up.



LeSean McCoy - Starting at Running Back

The second round pick out of Pitt has been practicing with the first-string guys all through camp, and has looked quick, shifty, explosive, and just downright fast.

A lot of the times he was just running a "Thud" drill, where it's live for the offensive and defensive lines, but you just wrap up the ball carrier. He had a few live sessions, and looked impressive during, but there's nothing that can replace getting hit by a guy who's fighting for his NFL life.

I want to see McCoy catch a few balls out of the backfield, and maybe even get some his way split out wide, although I don't think Reid will show a whole lot of that.

He'll probably play two or three drives, so there's not a lot of time, but if Reid can get him some carries up the middle, to the outside, some pitches, some receptions, and allow us to see him pass blocking it will be a productive game for McCoy.



Jeremy Maclin - Probably the Fourth Receiver Tonight

After missing so much of camp, it will be interesting to see what kind of patterns the Eagles have Maclin running. I think his playing time will really correlate with how much he knows of the playbook. If he's been picking it up, expect to see him quite a bit. If not, we'll only catch a glimpse of the first round rookie.

We'll get to see Maclin catch some passes from Donovan McNabb, as well as A.J. Feeley, which will be good to gauge what kind of chemistry they've been able to work up in their short time together between McNabb's "Arizona Week" and Maclin's week or so of camp.



Rob Myers - Third Tight End Tonight

If you're silently wondering, "Who in the world is this guy?," I'm sure you're not alone.

Myers is the guy whom the Eagles picked up once they found out that Cornelius Ingram would be done for the year with a torn ACL. If you're wondering why he's the third tight end, it's because Matt Schobel is not playing tonight, so Myers is behind Brent Celek and defensive end-turned-tight end Eugene Bright.

This kid is a rookie free agent out of Utah State, and early reports are that he's very fast and has been somewhat surprising. Of course, that's not saying too much as expectations for a rookie tight end are in the basement.

Either way, I'd like to see what the kid can do as the Eagles are in desperate need of a surprise kid, and really any good news at this point.



Danny Amendola - Probably Seventh or Eighth Receiver

Amendola is a guy who has really flown under the radar, but is a guy who I liked to watch during training camp. He gives it everything he has on every single play and while he's not the most gifted guy, he's one of the hardest working and really deserves a break in the NFL.

He's got a Wes Welker-type build, and would be that kind of slot possession type player. Unfortunately there's no room for him on this team, but a team starved for receivers may take a chance on him and get a huge return out of him. Keep your eye on Amendola tonight for a big play or two.

Other Players to Watch: WR Brandon Gibson, RB Lorenzo Booker, LT Jason Peters, TE Eugene Bright