Eagles rookie middle linebacker Casey Matthews struggled in his second preseason game and likely will need a better effort in Week 3 to keep the starting job.
Handed the starting middle linebacker job since the first day of training camp, Matthews had trouble shaking off Steelers offensive linemen who were able to penetrate to the second level and get bodies on the fourth-round pick.
Pittsburgh rushed for 93 yards on 22 carries in the first half, using a variety of inside runs that capitalized against the Eagles’ weak interior, which sorely missed injured tackles Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon, their best run stuffers.
Having some better up-front protection would have helped take the pressure off Matthews, who’s only 6-1, 230 pounds. But another effort like that and the coaches will have to consider moving strongside linebacker Jamar Chaney back to the middle, where he played last year and proved to be an outstanding tackler.
Notes: QB Michael Vick’s mission to become a blitz beater may also be pressing him to get rid of the ball too quickly. Vick was picked off twice on his first eight passes against the Steelers, each time rushing a throw into double coverage against pressure. Both times, it appeared that Vick’s line gave him enough time to locate secondary targets, but Vick instead rifled a throw to his primary read.
Late in the first half, Vick threw a third interception—to Steelers safety Troy Polamalu—and showed his frustration by taking down Polamalu with a vicious low hit.
