Overreactions From Eagles Preseason Loss to Patriots: Joshua Weru Deserving of Roster Spot?

The second game of the preseason went significantly better for the Philadelphia Eagles.

After a week where the first team offense and defense took center stage in the joint practices, the second team and third team had the spotlight in game two of the preseason. The Eagles lost to the Patriots, but played much better on offense -- which was the focal point.

The Eagles learned a lot about their football team on Saturday, and there were a lot of winners from Week 2 of the preseason. Plenty of storylines from the game warranted overreactions.

Which overreactions have merit? Which ones are way out there?

Joshua Weru should have a spot on the 53-man roster

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Weru has continued to get better as his first training camp comes to a close. The International Pathway Program player had his first career sack in the third quarter of the preseason game against the Patriots, getting past Dametrious Crownover with his speed on the outside.

Weru had a sack, two pressures, and an 11.1% pressure rate -- not bad for a player who just put on a helmet for the first time three months ago. Based on how Weru is developing, he looks like he could actually help the Eagles this season.

Would the Eagles keep Weru on the 53-man roster to protect him from waivers? They certainly have to consider it given how much Weru has developed, and could based on how Jonathan Greenard recovers from his pectoral injury.

The Eagles have other holes on the roster they need to fill. They can't have two roster spots filled for Weru and Uar Bernard -- another IPP player (and they drafted him). Perhaps Weru gets the Bernard spot.

No matter what happens, credit to Weru for playing his way into roster conversation.

Carson Steele played his way onto the roster

Overreaction or reality: Reality

How about that showing from Steele on Saturday? Since the Eagles were thin at running back with injuries behind Will Shipley, Steele got a golden opportunity to play a significant amount of snaps after Shipley exited the game.

He took full advantage, having 117 yards of offense and showcased his pass-catching skills on playaction with his athleticism throughout the night. Steele led the Eagles with six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, and had two highlight-reel hurdles off receptions. He also had four receptions on third down.

The Eagles would like to have a fullback on this team, and Steele may have passed Cameron Latu for that job. Latu had a efficient game blocking, but Steele could be an added weapon to the offense in certain packages.

Given what the Eagles currently have in the pass game, wouldn't hurt to keep Steele around.

Tanner McKee should be the QB2 come Week 1

Overreaction or reality: Reality

McKee looked significantly better than Andy Dalton on Saturday night, completing 16-of-22 for 173 yards and two touchdowns -- finishing with a 125.8 passer rating. He had more command of the offense, and was efficient with is passes -- this with the third-team offense most of the game.

Why was Dalton the QB2 so long, starting two preseason games? Was he that much better in practice than McKee? Dalton did nothing to separate himself from McKee over the past week, and is now paying the price by losing his job to McKee.

The reality with Dalton? He just isn't good anymore at 38 years old. This was a fun challenge for McKee, but the Eagles have to hand him the job based on how much better the offense looked with him Saturday night.

If Dalton is the QB2 this week, it would certainly be surprising. Preseason games don't matter as much compared to practice, but McKee has been better against opposing defenses in game situations. This matters.

Darius Cooper is a roster lock

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Cooper was the only player that could catch a football when Andy Dalton was in the game, having two impressive catches on the Eagles' second drive. He finished with three catches for 44 yards and should have had more receptions if not for Dalton.

Did Cooper do enough to seal his roster spot? Cooper is very likely to make the 53, and Saturday's performance certainly helped his case.

The reality regarding Cooper? He's battling Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore for a roster spot, as the WR4 and WR5 spots are still up for grabs. Moore didn't practice Thursday due to a neck injury and that likely kept him out this weekend. Brown didn't play at all, so that was an indicator of his roster status.

The final receiver spot -- assuming the Eagles keep five -- will go to Cooper or Moore. Based on Cooper's camp, he should be ahead of Moore because of his role on the team and the Eagles need more physicality at the position.

Moore has been excellent in recent weeks and is making it hard to cut him. This is what makes the decision tough for the Eagles.

The final spot is likely Cooper, but he's not a lock.

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