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PHILADELPHIA - A touchdown catch by Freddie Mitchell, a punt return for a TD by Lito Sheppard and a sack by Jerome McDougle. The Eagles couldn't ask for a finer preseason opener.
Though it was only one game, and four weeks before the regular season, at that, there were plenty of positive signs for Philadelphia in Monday night's 27-17 victory over New Orleans. Mitchell, Sheppard and McDougle - the Eagles' last three first-round picks - each impressed coaches with big plays.
Mitchell's fingertip catch for a 29-yard score from Donovan McNabb on Philadelphia's opening drive was another step toward solidifying the No.3 receiver spot for the 25th pick in the 2001 draft.
In two seasons, Mitchell has caught 33 passes and appeared closer to being a bust than a regular contributor. But he has performed well in training camp, and followed it up with two catches for 43 yards against the Saints.
"As soon as I saw the ball up in the air, I knew Don had confidence in me going up and getting it and making the play," Mitchell said. "I think that symbolizes this year and how it's going to go."
Sheppard, a first-round pick out of Florida last season, is competing with Brian Westbrook for punt-return duties. Westbrook entered as the No.1 returner but Sheppard opened eyes when he took a punt 88 yards for a score in the second quarter.
"I was fortunate to have enough blocks in front of me and the guys did all the work," Sheppard said. "All I had to do was break a couple of tackles and I found the end zone."
McDougle, the 15th overall pick this year out of Miami, had four tackles and a sack in his debut. He held out and missed the first week of practice but is quickly catching up on a unit trying to replace three-time Pro Bowl player Hugh Douglas.
"When you get into the preseason, you look for execution out of the ones, limit the mistakes, and let the young guys play," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. " ... There were some good things that we saw."