Josey & Parkey Make Strong Statements In Final Preseason Game
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — Alex Henery had to look away to hide the dour expression he wore. The prospect may have been looming for the Eagles' kicker that his job was in jeopardy, after watching Cody Parkey go 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts Thursday night against the New York Jets, which included nailing 54- and 53-yarders (Henery's career longest field goal is 51 yards, which he did in 2011 and last year).
Coming off his worst year as a pro, Henery has been inconsistent this preseason, making one of three field-goal attempts. That's opened the possibility for Parkey, a rookie free agent acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for David Fleullen, to step in.
Parkey certainly has both Henery and the Eagles thinking. The Eagles actually have a lot to ponder before the final cuts are made to get down to the 53-man roster at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Parkey made a strong statement, as did rookie free agent running back Henry Josey in making the Eagles, after superb showings in the Eagles' 37-7 victory over the woeful Jets at Lincoln Financial Field in the last preseason game.
Parkey was 2-for-2 this preseason with the Indianapolis Colts, before the Eagles traded for him, and made field goals of 54, 25 and 53 against the Jets. The 53-yarder was his best boot, easily within the uprights and with plenty of air to spare above the crossbar. At Auburn, Parkey led the nation in touchbacks.
Josey led all rushers with 121 yards on 22 carries, and Arrelious Benn helped his cause considerably by hauling in two passes for 55 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown. What won't show up in the stats was the amazing grab Benn made near the end of the first half between two Jet defenders in the back of the end zone. The pass was ruled incomplete when Benn landed out of bounds.
What didn't look good was Lane Johnson, playing in his last game before serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's banned substance policy, being flagged twice.
The opposite of that was Damaris Johnson, who is battling for a roster spot. He served his cause in a dual role as running back and returner, with a 46-yard TD run and 160 tall-purpose yards.
Earl Wolff got a chance to land a big hit, which caused a fumble and rookie nose tackle Beau Allen continued to look impressive.
What the Eagles do at inside linebacker could be a question. It's bewildering why Casey Matthews is still on the team. He didn't look particularly good Thursday, getting beat a few times in coverage and missing a few tackles, though early in the fourth quarter he did throw down a Jets' rookie wide receiver that forced his helmet to dislodge.
Matt Barkley had a decent night. He started slow, but found a rhythm completing 21 of 33 passes for 253 yards, with a touchdown and an interception in the end zone. Barkley also overthrew a wide open receiver late in the second quarter that most certainly would have been a touchdown.
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