👋 Good morning! Break up the Nats!

The good news for the local baseball team is that splitting a series in Washington, which the Phillies just did, is not as bad as losing a series in Washington, which the Mets just did. The bad news for the Phillies? The Washington Nationals, the hottest team in baseball, come into town this weekend.

Programming note: I am sorry y’all, but like everyone, your friendly neighborhood newsletter writer needs to recharge now and again. And in anticipation of an Eagles season and a Phillies stretch run, I am shutting it down over the next week for a late-summer vacation.

There is an important Phils series in Queens and the Eagles will cut down to 53, and I will get to all of that stuff upon my return (September 2nd). In the meantime, PHLY will have you covered on YouTube and on the site.

When the newsletter comes back, we will be just a few days away from Eagles-Cowboys. I really hope this whole SEPTA issue is resolved by then!

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As always, you can reach me at [email protected]

I know, I have been spamming that Howie pic.

Bo and EJ talked to Ross Tucker, who will call tonight’s preseason finale in New Jersey (#WinItForJoeDouglas). Ross had some good general notes on the 53-man (pay attention to who is playing special teams!) and Kevin Patullo.

Three quick things I am looking for, other than no injuries on the dreaded MetLife Turf…

(1) John Metchie: Kyle McCord (yeah Prep) has seemingly wrestled the QB3 job away from Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and I assume we will see him throwing to the newest Eagle? That would be nice.

In both Week 18 last season and this year’s preseason opener, I thought Jahan Dotson looking the part felt instructive. Sure, that will not be his role when A.J. and DeVonta are also in the huddle, but there is some talent there that might get utilized more on a different team. Metchie might still be learning the playbook, but let’s see him make some plays tonight.

The CB2 comp comes to an end: I also assume we are gonna see all of these guys —Adoree’ Jackson, Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams — play in this one? That is what Uncle Vic seemed to hint at, anyway. Has been a weird one.

The backup offensive line spots: I thought this group struggled mightily against Cleveland’s backups, which is not a great sign. As we have written, backup offensive line questions still fall in the “first-world problems” category. But this is Jeff Stoutland’s last chance to get a look at these guys.

One name to watch: Drew Kendall, the fifth-round center who got his first action at guard in a long time in last week’s game. Do we see Stout move over Kendall again? My guess is Kendall is on the roster regardless, but versatility always helps your chances at those backup spots.

Johnny Wilson, out for the year: As it turns out, the Eagles did not make it through camp without a season-ending injury. The guys talked about Johnny Wilson here.

Oof, knee and ankle, that does not sound good.

The Eagles will likely be fine without Wilson. He might have been WR6, depending on where you are with Darius Cooper and John Metchie. But Wilson played relatively well in the two preseason games and clearly was gonna be on the final 53.

I will be interested to see what the injury report looks like in a few weeks leading up to the Dallas game. The Eagles do not believe in running a super physical training camp, and when you look at how healthy they have been during their two recent Super Bowl runs, it is hard to argue with their approach. People always blame slow starts on the lack of hitting at training camp, but the Eagles are 10-2 in the first month of the season over the last three years. But it seems like they have dealt with their share of bumps and bruises during this specific camp regardless. Oh well.

Along with everyone else, I will also be interested to see if Micah Parsons is on the field for that game. Brian Schottenheimer thinks so, but I am not sure if Micah does. His Twitter bio says “Penn State 2021.” And yes, I will be streaming all of America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys as a personal thank you to the Jones family for their stewardship of the Dallas Cowboys.

Lane Johnson, No. 23: Too low. Top-two player at a top-three premium position. Again, too low.

Aidan Miller: (*Adam Sandler looking at Steve Buscemi voice*) Man, I’m glad they kept that guy.

I was not gonna post Aidan Miller content two days in a row, but he hit two homers yesterday and forced my hand. The Millersance is alive and well. Looking back at the trade deadline, I did not know what to make of Miller. The Phillies were challenging him with the Double-A assignment, but he was only having a so-so year at the plate. I wondered how the Phillies would value him, especially after offering Miller and Justin Crawford at last year’s deadline for Garrett Crochet.

Well, Miller has turned it on a big way recently. And unlike Eduardo Tait, he is not two years away from being two years away. Good to see!

Phils-Nats this weekend, Birds tonight, Union at home tomorrow. Check your local listings.

Your tentative Friday schedule at ​PHLY​:

Have a great weekend. Let's make it a good one today.

Rich Hofmann
Daily Newsletter Editor
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