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  • The Eagles offense was not impressive in Sean Mannion’s debut. That’s not surprising … or all that concerning.

    The Eagles offense was not impressive in Sean Mannion’s debut. That’s not surprising … or all that concerning.

    BALTIMORE — If the Eagles hoped their rudimentary game plan wouldn’t reveal much about their new offensive scheme, then mission accomplished.

    It was difficult to identify Sean Mannion’s version of the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay system, let alone any functioning NFL offense in the Eagles’ 24-7 loss to the Ravens on Saturday night. That obviously wasn’t by design.

    But the combination of coach Nick Sirianni resting his starters once again in the preseason, a vanilla script for first-time play-caller Mannion, and some expected growing pains with a vastly different offense resulted in an inept offensive performance at M&T Bank Stadium.

    The Eagles managed just two first downs on their first nine possessions. They gained just 45 yards and scored zero points over that span. Only a late touchdown from the fourth unit — made up mostly of players who won’t make the 53-man roster — prevented a shutout.

    It was ugly.

    But does it matter? Probably not.

    The Eagles have been justified in their devaluing of the preseason over the last five years. Beyond their overall success, they’ve shown that rust hasn’t been a factor by going 5-0 in their regular-season openers, and that keeping key players out of harm’s way has helped make them among the healthiest teams in the league.

    Was there a case for letting Jalen Hurts and Co. take a series or two in a live setting, or for Mannion to get a few test runs with his actual offensive pieces? Sure. Maybe.

    It’s not like anything on offense can be taken for granted after last season’s regression.

    But Sirianni is sticking to the template.

    Eagles preseason grades vs. Ravens: Offense struggles to move the ball, defensive line shows flashes

    “We obviously think that when we got out to practice we have high, high intensity,” Sirianni said in explaining why most of his starters on both sides of the ball didn’t dress. “We got a big week this week coming up and the [starters] are going to get a lot of reps in New England for the joint practices.”

    It won’t be as easy to declare a winner and loser in Foxborough’s practices. And there won’t be film for future opponents to study. But the Eagles should dip a little more into Mannion’s playbook in facing the Patriots for two scrimmages planned for Wednesday and Thursday.

    We’ve already seen the hallmarks of the Shanahan-McVay scheme at training camp: more under center, more play action, more marrying the pass with the run, more motion, more middle-field throws, and a significantly different run- blocking scheme.

    The Eagles offense is making progress, even if it’s not always linear for Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and Co. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    It hasn’t always been clean. Hurts has had his struggles. But he’s also had his moments. The same could be said of Saquon Barkley and the offensive line in the run game. But the scheme never looked more like a work in progress than it did on Saturday with quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee at the controls.

    “With the new offense and with so many things that are new, I think obviously mistakes are going to happen,” McKee said. “That many is unacceptable. But we’re going to learn from them and be better for it.”

    Dalton started and the offense went three-and-out on the first three drives. Two penalties set the Eagles back on their first series. Dalton nearly tossed an interception that was deflected on the second. On the third, wide receiver Darius Cooper, who has shone in camp, couldn’t haul in a third-down missile from his quarterback.

    Eagles backups fail to generate fireworks in preseason opener, fall 24-7 at Ravens

    “It’s the preseason so there’s a lot of vanilla looks,” Dalton said. “I think that played a little bit of a factor. Now we got ourselves into some tough situations with some penalties and negative plays. I know there was one third down I should have gone somewhere else with the ball.”

    Rhythm is important in every offense, but if there isn’t early-down success on the ground in this scheme, it can be difficult to move the ball. Will Shipley had a few positive runs with McKee under center, but another penalty put the offense behind the sticks and led to yet another punt.

    Two of the penalties were for holding. There was also a false start. But there were other miscues: imprecise routes, poor blocking technique and errant throws. Dalton has played in a similar scheme before. But he’s still trying to build chemistry with new faces.

    McKee has gone from being the bona fide No. 2 to a demotion. He may still end up beating out Dalton, but it’s unclear why the Eagles have seemingly soured on their 2023 sixth-round draft pick. A year ago, he completed 20 of 25 passes in the preseason opener and was being touted as a starting-caliber backup.

    Andy Dalton brings 169 games of NFL starting experience to the Eagles’ QB room. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    But the quarterback factory made room for Dalton, who came during the offseason via trade. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman surrendered just a seventh-rounder to poach the veteran. Maybe he can eventually flip Dalton to a backup-needy team, of which there are plenty.

    Neither looked particularly fetching against the Ravens, though. Of course, it’s been tough with the uncertainty over snap distribution in practice.

    “Nothing’s decided there as far as who’s the two, who’s the three,” Sirianni said. “Andy’s played a lot of football. I think he’s had 160-plus starts [169]. Tanner’s had two starts. Just wanted to make sure Tanner continues to be able to develop in live action.”

    McKee ended up with just one more drive than Dalton. They may not practice as much against the Patriots, but they’re more than likely to play the bulk of Saturday’s second preseason game. There’s still time to sort out the competition, or if either is expendable.

    Cole Payton led the Eagles’ only scoring drive on Saturday night. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    Rookie Cole Payton showed gumption in driving the Eagles to their lone score. He didn’t exactly play within structure, partly because the execution around him wasn’t sound. But also because the plays didn’t scheme receivers open.

    Maybe that, too, was part of the plan. There’s little to be gained in Mannion showing his full deck of cards. And yet, he’ll remain a mystery until the games really matter. He did reveal that he’ll call plays from the field rather than the booth.

    Dalton and McKee said the overall communication was smooth.

    “Sounded really good. Clear. Decisive. Was always early,” McKee said of Mannion’s play-calling. “There was never a time when he was trying to get a play call at the 15-second [mark] because he didn’t know what he was going to do.”

    Play-calling is one thing. Instruction is another. The Eagles’ offensive backups mostly didn’t execute on Saturday. There’s little reason to panic. But there will be a learning curve. And it will likely extend well into the season.

    “I think the whole season is a work in progress,” Sirianni said. “You’re continuing to try and get better each and every week to be playing your best football at the end of the year.”

    If there’s anything to be gained from the Eagles’ offensive dud in Mannion’s debut it’s that patience is a virtue. How long will that last?

  • Hiring a Philly cop once took nearly a year. A new system finishes the job in less than two months.

    Hiring a Philly cop once took nearly a year. A new system finishes the job in less than two months.

    When Capt. John Walker joined the Philadelphia police force decades ago, prospective officers rarely applied to more than one department, let alone four or five.

    Today, job candidates may apply to up to half a dozen departments before choosing where to begin their careers. And competition to hire them is fierce.

    After years of the department vying for recruits amid staffing shortages and waves of officer departures, its ranks are rebounding. And Walker, who oversees the police academy’s recruiting efforts, credits that in part to a faster and more efficient method of getting potential officers through the door.

    The department has scrapped its long-standing tradition of paper applications and is instead using software that speeds up what was once a monthslong hiring process.

    Before, getting an applicant from an introduction with hiring managers to the first day of police training could take up to seven or eight months — or sometimes a year, Walker said.

    “The process to get hired here was cumbersome,” he said. “It took almost 118 days after you applied for us to even make contact with you. That was a big problem.”

    After rolling out the software, called Guardian, the department says it is ushering recruits into the academy in as little as 54 business days — and it hopes to reduce that span even further.

    While Guardian is not solely responsible for the increase in applicants, Walker said, it has nudged the department closer to record recruitment numbers.

    In 2025, the department enrolled 468 officers in training at the police academy, the second-highest number in the 21st century.

    Captain John Walker of the Philadelphia Police Department’s recruitment and background investigations unit.John Walker

    Walker is adamant that there has been no drop in the quality of applicants. The California-based company whose software the department is relying on maintains high standards, he said, and is used by more than a thousand law enforcement agencies across the country.

    The new system has helped reverse a hiring dearth that began after the widespread protests over police brutality and racial justice in 2020 and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

    A year before the protests, the department was at 99% of full staffing, according to Walker. But the numbers soon began to dwindle as diminished interest in policing combined with an uptick in officers leaving the force.

    In 2021 alone, 581 of the department’s more than 5,000 officers hung up their uniforms. Officials attributed the drop to retirements, a COVID-era closure of the police academy, and strict local residency rules for prospective officers.

    While the department now stands at around 83% of full staffing, Walker said, officials are beginning to see something of a reversal.

    Recruitment drives have increased in frequency to more than several times a year, yielding between 1,000 and 2,000 applications each round.

    That is a notable step up from 2022, when the department received just 942 applications overall.

    Changing technology

    Gone are the paper applications of old.

    In their place is Guardian’s hiring portal, where prospective recruits can upload copies of their IDs, lists of references, and other documents via computer or on their phones. And the lengthy personal history questionnaires that are standard in the law enforcement industry are now available online, as opposed to requiring a trip to a local police station for paper copies to fill out by hand.

    Police recruiters, in turn, use the software to review documents, conduct video interviews, and keep track of a recruit’s medical, physical, psychological, and polygraph exams.

    The Guardian software debuted in the city in late 2023, and since then, the time it takes for prospective recruits to go from application to training at the police academy has fallen sharply, to fewer than 60 business days.

    Department officials hope to speed things up even more, to about 35 days, Walker said, but it is difficult to schedule the required medical tests and interviews quickly enough to accommodate that time frame. The department plans to hire more doctors to meet demand.

    Justin Biedinger, who founded Guardian Alliance Technologies in 2016, said that the company contracts with around 1,300 of the nation’s roughly 18,000 police departments, and that Philadelphia is one of its largest clients.

    Biedinger, a former Stockton, Calif., police officer, said the service not only has quickened hiring timelines, but also has increased scrutiny of officers who might not be cut out for a career in law enforcement.

    The software allows recruiters to see whether an applicant has been reported for misconduct by another department. And the company uses artificial intelligence to scan social media accounts for red flags such as inappropriate content, guns, or drug use.

    “With Guardian,” he said, “these applicants can’t lie.”

    To Walker, the biggest benefit of the new system has been the ability to move quickly and hire people who otherwise might have accepted jobs in other departments while they awaited word on applications to work on the Philadelphia force.

    “In today’s world, people are not going to wait a year and a half to join this profession, as I did,” he said.

    Another benefit of the automated process, he said, is making it easier for out-of-state applicants to apply, drawing candidates as far away as California, Colorado, and Missouri.

    And even if the department does not reach its goal of a 35-day timeline, Walker said, the current 55 days “is one of the best in the country. If not, close to it.”

  • Hiding in plane sight | Editorial Cartoon

    John Cole spent 18 years as editorial cartoonist for The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, and now draws for various statesnewsroom.com sites.

  • Letters to the Editor | Aug. 16, 2026

    Letters to the Editor | Aug. 16, 2026

    Legal equality

    In his recent column on the lawsuit settlement at Haverford College, Jonathan Zimmerman problematically champions the “Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.” But I agree with those critics who argue that definition runs afoul of international human rights law, denying Jews equal protection of the legally binding International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which both respect the right to collective national self-determination. Just like anti-Palestinian discrimination that denies Palestinians the right to self-determination is morally and legally indefensible, denying Jews and Israelis their equal and parallel right to self-determination and their collective identity is also a violation of international human rights law. To the extent that it entails discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity and Israeli nationality and origin, it also violates U.S. civil rights law, which colleges and universities are legally obligated to respect. We can simultaneously support free speech and freedom from discrimination, harassment, and abuse without excluding Jews and Israelis.

    Noam Schimmel, Albany, Calif.

    Physician’s perspective

    As a pediatrician, I pored over your article about how the Trump administration may be forcing immigrant parents to choose between green cards and benefits for their U.S.-born children.

    Fear is now a more effective deterrent to public benefits than eligibility rules ever were. That’s the reality facing mixed-status families under the revived public charge rule.

    As a physician, I don’t see immigration status in the exam room. I see a baby who needs her 2-month vaccines, a toddler whose growth curve is flattening, a child with asthma who needs a nebulizer covered by Medicaid. All of them happen to be U.S. citizens who are legally entitled to that care regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Yet, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security itself projects that more than 950,000 people will unenroll from or avoid these public benefits not because they are ineligible, but because they are afraid.

    No child should go without medical care because their family is afraid to ask for it. Our responsibility is to protect the children in front of us, not create policies that punish families for seeking essential care. When this rule takes effect on Sept. 18, its consequences will fall hardest on the very children we are entrusted to protect.

    Francisca Bermudez, Merion Station

    Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

  • Dear Abby | Former spouse accused of murdering one of her offspring

    DEAR ABBY: I am writing for advice on how to be supportive of my adult children in light of an alleged crime committed by their mother. She was arrested for first-degree murder. The victim was my children’s younger half-sibling.

    I am especially challenged dealing with my daughter. She is supporting her mother in this. She says she has already lost a sibling and doesn’t want to lose her mother too. Their mother was always critical of psychotherapy. Not only did she doubt it, but she criticized anyone seeking mental health support. Abby, now she’s pleading not guilty by reason of insanity! How do I support and counsel my daughter?

    — MANAGING THE REPERCUSSIONS

    DEAR MANAGING: Women in their right minds do not kill their children. Sometimes people are critical of mental health care because they’re insecure about their own status. As upset as you are about this, your daughter has every right to support her mother through this tragedy if she wishes. The most effective way you can support your daughter would be to refrain from questioning her choice to be there for her mother.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: What are your thoughts about meeting another couple for lunch or dinner at a specific time only to find that they have already been seated and are enjoying appetizers? This has happened to us on numerous occasions, and, to us, it totally ruins the continuity of the meal together. We could understand it if we were late in arriving, but we’re not. This has happened with more than one couple.

    — FUMING IN TEXAS

    DEAR FUMING: Personally, I think what they did is rude. However, it’s one thing to be seated and chomp on a breadstick and quite another to be enjoying cocktails and calamari. It throws off the timing of the meal for the couple who arrive when they are supposed to. That said, when someone’s blood sugar level drops, they may not be at their best, so it might be better to get some food than stand on ceremony.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: I am a 48-year-old female who had to move in with my parents. It’s not working. I know I am messy and tend to procrastinate. The issue is my mother. She constantly goes into my room to snoop. She tells me I’m worthless and dumb. Last night, I was eating a pork chop, and she said I was using the wrong knife. She took my knife and gave me a butter knife! I lost my job, so moving out isn’t an option. But her comments and obvious disdain for me are not good for my self-esteem. Help!

    — TRAPPED IN LONG BEACH

    DEAR TRAPPED: This advice may seem to come from left field, but I’m suggesting that you talk to your doctor about your messiness, procrastination and job situation. There may be a medical explanation for these issues. If there is, proper treatment may make a world of difference. However, if your problem isn’t medical, your doctor can still refer you to a licensed family counselor who might help you coexist peacefully with your mom.

    As for moving out, it’s your best option in the long run. It’s true that you’re not ready now, but all your efforts must be focused on reaching that goal.

  • Horoscopes: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). When you try new things, you’re also trying a new you — the you who does pottery or archery. The you who explores Toronto. The you who strikes up the conversation with the interesting stranger. Today, you’ll show up bold.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re working things out like a pro negotiator, seeking resolution, not conquest. You know when to hold your ground and when to let a small point go. By the end, everyone can shake hands and mean it.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Events of the day have you low-key taking charge. You lead through observation. It’s so typical of you to notice what people are good at and call it out. People feel seen and valued. They give their best.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re still uncertain about what lies ahead, but even the most educated on the subject can’t predict the whole journey. Embark anyway with a half-full notebook, an educated guess and a willingness to learn through the next step.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve been conserving your energy because you know yourself. You know that when the opportunity is right, you put everything into it, engaging every talent, coordinating every resource and working with unmatched intensity. These reserves fuel tomorrow’s full effort.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You could minimize your energy and blend in, but this scene will get better if you decide to go the other way. Give them a taste of what you can do and stop before anyone could accuse you of showing off.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You make a decision that’s all yours. You’d make the same choice regardless of who saw or what they thought because your approval is the one that counts here. Action feels liberating. Now you’re on your way.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Collaborations work best in threes today. One person solves the puzzle while another frames the picture. A third catches the missing piece. The finished result is marked by the fingerprints from every chair around the table.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Listening well can be more challenging with your nearest and dearest because your mind assumes you already know the drill. Take a moment to direct yourself to drop assumptions and pretend this is the first time you’re hearing it.

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Talent helps, but effort is more necessary. Some would say that the drive to put in the work is the talent. Today, you feel lucky you’ve found endeavors you love enough to keep coming back time after time.

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t have to know someone a long time to be connected in a moment. Fast friends can be good friends. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation that picks up where another lifetime might have left off.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your responsibilities will be many and your helpers few. But there’s a kind of peace in working solo. You make up your own little tricks as you maneuver in the manner most comfortable to you. And your mind wanders in pleasant ways through the repetitive parts.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 16). This is the Year of Passion’s Blaze. You’ll hold out for the truly inspiring projects, people and purposes. When things start to feel too familiar or more like work, you’ll push through, finish what you started and feel passion at a whole new level. More highlights: You’re noble and fair, yet still in it to win it, which your earnings reflect. Small lifestyle tweaks produce outsized results. You’ll be lucky in love. Pisces and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 12, 25, 37, 8 and 46.

  • A hometown hero, a legend retires, a night of stoppages, and more from UFC 330

    A hometown hero, a legend retires, a night of stoppages, and more from UFC 330

    Inside the Xfinity Mobile Arena, the impact of punches and kicks could be heard all the way into the upper deck. Coaches yelled instructions from their corners. Blood, sweat — and teeth — covered the mats of the octagon. And fans stood cheering for more action.

    “They say Philly crowds, they are the craziest,” said 25-year-old Xashem Alhab, who made the trip from Canada. “It’s been seven years since the UFC came back here. So, you know what, I’m looking forward to that. I haven’t seen a crazier fan than Montreal fans. So, let’s see if they can match that.”

    The Ultimate Fighting Championship had finally made its return to Philly with UFC 330, its first major championship event in the city in 15 years — dating back to UFC 133, which featured a main event between Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz.

    With the promotion’s return, in front of a crowd of thousands of fans, there was action both inside and outside the octagon — including a hometown win, a legend’s retirement, and a number of stoppages.

    Here’s everything you missed from UFC 330 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena …

    Jeremiah Wells (right) gets hit by Myktybek Orolbai in the first round during UFC 330 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday. Wells defeated Orolbai by submission (guillotine choke).Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    ‘Philly stand up’

    Coming out to the sounds of Maino’s “Remember My Name,” Jeremiah Wells made his walk down to the octagon. The Philly native was welcomed by a number of scattered cheers, but none would equal the cheers for his opponent, Kyrgyzstan native Orolbai.

    The Philly crowd was speckled with Kyrgyzstan flags decorating the arena as Wells’ opponent was entering the fight as a massive -1050 favorite. Throughout the match the crowd went back and forth between Kyrgyzstan and USA chants. With Orolbai taking an early two-round lead, Wells practiced patience and proved he had leveled up from his last two fights.

    In the third round, Wells caught Orolbai in a guillotine choke, which ultimately secured his victory in his hometown. Media members looked around at one another in shock, Philly natives cheered, the arms carrying the Kyrgyzstan flags slowly fell, and Wells climbed the cage and celebrated a second consecutive win.

    “I do that move with my eyes closed in the gym. … That’s my signature move man,” Wells said in his post-fight interview. “This is my hometown. … I said I’m going to fight here one day and look at me now. Look at me now.

    “I had four tries to get into the top 14. I fumbled the ball twice, and then I won my last fight and nothing happened. And now, here. So, I win this. If they want me, then I’ll go. But if I’m not going to be 15, then I think I’m going to be done. And this would be a dream come true in my city because I always wanted to do this for my city. Philly stand up.”

    Although it sounded like the welterweight was debating retirement after a shocking win in front of his hometown crowd, he later confirmed that he just wants more fights within the top 15.

    “[I want to be remembered as] that gritty fighter, explosive and always excited to see,” Wells said. “To just put it on for the fans.”

    With his victory on Saturday, he proved just that.

    Knockouts, retirements, and fly teeth, fly

    The early prelims set the tone for an exciting night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. None of the three bouts went the distance, starting with a third-round guillotine finish by Philly native Wells, a second-round TKO by Neil Magny, and a third-round TKO by Lucas Fernando in his UFC debut.

    The action continued right into the prelims with TreSean Gore winning by unanimous decision but losing some teeth in the process — which resulted in a shocked response from the Philly crowd.

    Gore’s toothless win was followed by a quick first-round knockout by Donte Johnson, and a third-round Scottish twister submission by Charles Johnson, who fittingly came out to the Rocky theme song. After the wink, Johnson declared himself “Philly’s adopted son,” revealing his Eagles fandom before leading the crowd in a botched version of “Fly Eagles, Fly.”

    And that was all before the main card had even started.

    The main card kicked off with a lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Esteban Ribovics that ended in a second-round TKO win for Ribovics.

    Barboza (24-15) ended his career after the fight, laying his gloves in the ring. In response, the Philly crowd gave the 40-year-old fighter a standing ovation. Barboza has given UFC fans a number of memorable moments throughout his 16-year career, including a spinning wheel kick knockout against Terry Etim at UFC 142 in 2012.

    Out of the five fights on the main card, three ended in TKO, KO, or submission; however, there were no title changes. After the memorable night of action, Saturday’s UFC card left Philly fans wanting more visits from the MMA promotion.

    “Philly has heart and passion, we got to see them here more often,” Wilson said.

    ‘We could have seen more Philly fighters’

    The last time UFC was in the city was in 2019 for a Fight Night card at the then-Wells Fargo Center, featuring a main event between Justin Gaethje and Edson Barboza. Since then, fans have been anticipating a return.

    “I think they need to come here more often,” said New Jersey native Andrew Ferchen. “I don’t know why they go to Newark as opposed to coming here. I like all the sports teams here, and the fans always show out for their team way more than most of these [other cities] I would say. I’m just glad they’re here and I hope they continue to come here and make it a yearly thing.”

    Fans prepare to watch the Rafael Tobias and Lucas Fernando fight during UFC 330 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Ferchen was accompanied by Nick Sorce, Kai Wilson, and Kevin Haley, who was celebrating his birthday a day early with tickets to his first UFC event. Although the New Jersey natives were still anticipating an exciting fight card, they were hoping for more name value.

    “The main event is good,” Haley said. “But everything on the undercard could be way better. We don’t get the respect we deserve. What’s up with that?”

    A lot of fans were also looking for more Philly representation on the card. Wells was the only Philly fighter featured. And the last time UFC was in Philly, there were no Philly fighters featured on the card, although former Philly fighter-turned-broadcaster Paul Felder was in the booth.

    “I think we could have seen more Philly fighters too,” Sorce said. “Sean Brady, he’s literally here right now. Joe Pyfer was here earlier. I think we could have seen a lot more guys.”

    UFC fan experience

    About three hours before gates opened, fans were already preparing for the event in the parking lot of the Xfinity Mobile Arena with UFC’s Makchachev vs. Machado Garry fan experience.

    Rian Ibraimi, age 11, shows off his replica UFC Championship belt during UFC 330 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    The event, located in parking lot D, invited fans to participate in an immersive experience — whether that meant taking selfies with the UFC Legacy Championship Belt, testing their knockout power on the UFC Striking Challenge, picking up merch, or meeting some UFC athletes at the meet and greets.

    “I think it’s really cool,” said 27-year-old Bill Bender. “I haven’t waited in any of these lines but I’ve been walking up and getting close to the fighters. Out of the nine that I’ve been to, this is the first time that I’ve come to the meet and greet. It’s pretty cool.”

  • Joshua Weru and Uar Bernard suited up for the Eagles on Saturday night. It was their first football game at any level.

    Joshua Weru and Uar Bernard suited up for the Eagles on Saturday night. It was their first football game at any level.

    BALTIMORE — Before Saturday, Eagles edge rusher Joshua Weru hadn’t played a down of organized football. By the end of his first series, the ex-rugby player from Kenya had already notched two quarterback pressures.

    Talk about learning on the job.

    It was a special night for Weru and Uar Bernard, the Eagles’ two International Player Pathway program rookies, who both suited up for game action for the first time when the Eagles fell to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, 24-7.

    Eagles backups fail to generate fireworks in preseason opener, fall 24-7 at Ravens

    It was all smiles from both players after the game, but both recognize how much they have to learn.

    “I started off on cloud nine, then I got brought back down,” Weru said. “But that’s learning. … It was cool. I felt a lot of ups and downs, but I’m just happy to have gone through it. I’m sure once I watch [film], I will learn a lot of things.”

    Neither player lit up the stat sheet — the only stat they registered was Weru’s tackle and QB hit — but they certainly showed glimpses, which is what the Eagles were hoping for when they drafted Bernard in the seventh round (251st overall) and signed Weru as an undrafted free agent in April.

    Their play drew praise from coach Nick Sirianni, who focused more on their journey to this point rather than dishing on their tape.

    “How exciting for those two guys to be playing in an NFL football game,” Sirianni said. “It’s really cool how this game works out and the opportunities that they get. I just thought they played with really high effort and were into it the entire night. I think Josh had — I know there was a screen pass — but he looked pretty fast coming off the edge there on that one.

    “I’ll have to study on Uar a little bit more. But to be able to come out here and play in an NFL game, it’s pretty cool and we’ll evaluate the tape and see where they were.”

    Uar Bernard is raw but has maintained a positive attitude in his first experience on a football team. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    On his first snap of the game, Bernard bull-rushed Ravens guard Emery Jones Jr. back five yards, using his impressive strength and 6-foot-4, 306-pound build to his advantage. He didn’t showcase many pass rush moves, but the play offered evidence that Bernard has NFL strength.

    Weru made a clutch play during the second half, logging a hit on Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano on third-and-9 and limiting his scramble attempt to just one yard in the fourth quarter. While the optimistic 23-year-old likes to focus on the positives, he said he’ll focus on what he can improve when he studies the tape afterward.

    “I’m sure I’ll watch some plays and beat myself up about them,” Weru said.

    Eagles preseason grades vs. Ravens: Offense struggles to move the ball, defensive line shows flashes

    This performance comes after weeks of solid play from the novice players in training camp. Weru has shown flashes of developing into a legitimate rotational edge rusher with his explosiveness off the ball and has a chance to win a roster spot. Bernard needs to work on his finesse, but his strength and size constantly turn heads in practice.

    But it’s clear the Eagles’ plan is to be patient with them. Two weeks ago, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio even instructed reporters to stop asking about them because they’re both “light years away.”

    “It’s going to take a long while,” Fangio said at the time. “You guys can get off that topic.”

  • Eagles preseason grades vs. Ravens: Offense struggles to move the ball, defensive line shows flashes

    Eagles preseason grades vs. Ravens: Offense struggles to move the ball, defensive line shows flashes

    BALTIMORE — Instant grades on the Eagles’ performance in their 24-7 loss to the Ravens:

    Quarterback — C-

    Jalen Hurts and the first offense, as expected, didn’t suit up. Andy Dalton got the start ahead of Tanner McKee. Dalton had a shaky first three drives as the Eagles didn’t pick up a first down. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards. He would have tossed a deflected interception had his dump to running back Tank Bigsby not hit the ground.

    McKee was next under center. He worked with mostly the third unit. He was just as unspectacular, although he didn’t have the benefit of working with the second offense. He hit Darius Cooper for 13 yards at one point. McKee was sacked when he failed to recognize a nickel dog blitz in the third quarter. He completed 6 of 10 passes for just 35 yards. Neither quarterback won the No. 2 spot on this night.

    Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are battling for QB2 duties. Saturday didn’t provide much clarity on who’s ahead.

    Rookie Cole Payton drove the Eagles to their lone score — a 6-yard touchdown pass to receiver Erik Ezukanma in the back corner of the end zone. Payton didn’t do much within structure. But he extended plays, made throws and scrambled for 45 yards.

    Running back — C-

    Saquon Barkley was among the dozen or so players who didn’t participate in pregame warmups. The running back tweaked his ankle in camp on Thursday. Bigsby finished with just five yards on two carries. He didn’t appear to have much room on the run.

    Will Shipley was next up. He had more success running behind the third unit offensive line, and had two 8-yard rushes to the right. He ran seven times for 22 yards. Carson Steele was in the backfield for mop-up duty.

    Ja’Quinden Jackson had one catch for 11 yards.

    Receiver / Tight end — D+

    Dontayvion Wicks appears to have locked up the No. 2 job. He was the only uninjured wide receiver to be inactive. Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore dressed and played. Brown caught one pass for four yards. Moore picked up a couple of yards on an end around. They were the first receivers to be pulled.

    Darius Cooper, despite his strong camp, played deep into the game. He had a Dalton heater glance off his hands. His 13-yard grab from McKee gave the Eagles their initial first down. Cooper caught just 2 of 5 targets.

    Tight ends Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt were given the night off. Rookie Eli Stowers has been working with the third unit during camp, but he started with Grant Calcaterra at tight end. Stowers was often McKee’s outlet and caught three passes for 12 yards. His blocking was up and down and he committed a holding penalty on Bigsby’s first carry. Calcaterra had a grab for eight yards.

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    Cameron Latu couldn’t haul in a McKee pass in the third quarter. E.J. Jenkins won at the point of attack on a Shipley 8-yard tote to the right.

    Offensive line — D

    Rookie Markel Bell started at right tackle. He appeared to hold up in pass protection. He had a seal block that helped spring Shipley for eight yards. Fred Johnson started at left tackle. He had a false start on the opening series. Johnson played just the Eagles’ first three possessions.

    Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin swapped positions — left guard and center — early on. They didn’t stand out on either side of the ledger. The fact both were among the first O-linemen pulled indicated they should make the final roster.

    Jake Majors took over at center with McKee at quarterback. He committed a holding penalty in the second quarter. Rookie Micah Morris and the rest of the third unit O-line didn’t get much push on the ground. Payton was also under pressure a lot. Morris had a late hold.

    Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson sacked Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley in the first quarter.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    Defensive line — B-

    The Eagles, to some surprise, rested most of their defensive starters. Their backup interior group looked strong against the Ravens’ No. 2 offensive line. Defensive tackle Byron Young won often up front and got penetration as a run defender and pass rusher. Ty Robinson notched an early sack when he beat the left guard at the snap. The second-year defensive tackle’s name wasn’t called as much the rest of the way, at least until he roughed the passer in the fourth quarter. Gabe Hall played a bunch of snaps at D-tackle and mostly held up.

    Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie started on the edge with A.J. Epenesa. He set the edge on a first quarter Ravens run that netted a couple yards. Epenesa defeated a tight end to make an early run stop. The Ravens took advantage of Epenesa, who had never played in a 3-4 scheme, dropping into coverage with a 29-yard pass downfield. Epenesa nearly had a pick when he dropped the ball in the second quarter. Both edges were done before the half.

    Rookie defensive tackle Uar Bernard, who was playing in his first game at any level, looked like a novice, as expected. Joshua Weru was playing in his first game ever, too, but didn’t seem as raw. The undrafted rookie displayed his burst when he was unblocked off the edge and was credited with a quarterback hit. Outside linebacker Tarron Jackson picked up a late sack.

    Linebacker — C+

    Jihaad Campbell was the only projected starter on defense to play. He had three total tackles and was pulled after two series. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. started alongside Campbell. He had five tackles before the break, including a sack on a delayed blitz. Trotter didn’t play in the second half.

    Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (left) had five tackles in the first half.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    Smael Mondon took a few bad angles in the first half as a second level run defender. He had positives, though, and was effective when he blitzed. Mondon shed a block and made a run stop at the line on the last play of the third quarter.

    Cornerback — C-

    Starters Quinyon Mitchell (glute) and Cooper DeJean (groin) were recently added to the injury list, but they wouldn’t have played anyway. Riq Woolen, Mitchell’s counterpart on the outside, was also in street clothes.

    Jakorian Bennett started opposite Kelee Ringo at outside cornerback. He left with an injury during the Ravens’ first drive. Ambry Thomas took Bennett’s place. He did fine. Ringo had an interception in the end zone just before the half. His pass interference penalty a play earlier gave the Ravens first-and-goal at the 5-yard line. But he rebounded. Earlier, Ringo was in coverage when Ravens receiver Ja’Kobi Lane caught a 16-yard touchdown on a dig route.

    Mac McWilliams started in the slot. The second-year corner struggled some. He allowed a few catches in the first half including a 19-yard pass that set up the Ravens’ first points. He was called for holding in the second quarter. McWilliams led the Eagles with 10 tackles.

    Cornerback Shaun Wade got beat and slipped on a short pass in the third quarter. But he got up and punched the ball out for a forced fumble that Thomas recovered. Thomas also had seven stops.

    Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo (left) celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zone to stop a Ravens drive late during the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    Safety — C+

    Marcus Epps didn’t dress, indicating that he all but has the nickel safety spot locked down. Starter Andrew Mukuba didn’t suit up, despite not playing in a game since he broke his leg last November.

    Michael Carter II and Andre’ Sam were the first pair of safeties. Carter had tight coverage early in the second quarter and forced a high throw from quarterback Joe Fagnano. He made an open field run stop later on. Sam was late to help Ringo on the Lane touchdown.

    Special teams — B

    The Eagles allowed a 19-yard punt return, but the cover units were mostly sound. Quez Watkins was first up to return kicks. Ezukanma averaged 25.7 yards on three kick returns. Britain Covey handled punt returns. He had a fair catch.

    Kicker Jake Elliott could have taken the night off, save for one kickoff and extra point. It would have been nice to see him try a few field goals in light of his recent down seasons. Punter Braden Mann was busier. He averaged 47.6 yards on eight punts. Rookie long snapper Rocco Underwood didn’t have any glaring snafus.

    Sean Mannion’s debut as the Eagles OC was unremarkable.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    Coaching — C-

    Nick Sirianni has historically placed little emphasis on the preseason, so it wasn’t a shock that he rested most of his starters. The Ravens didn’t suit up most of their top-liners either. But first-year coach Jesse Minter’s team looked better prepared. Nevertheless, keeping key guys healthy is of the utmost importance. The Eagles will get a better gauge of where they stand in joint practices with the Patriots this week.

    Sean Mannion’s first game as an offensive coordinator was unremarkable. It’s difficult to place much stock in his performance with Hurts and Co resting. Sirianni was unlikely to allow Mannion to reveal much. Still, the play calling had little flow and the execution was sloppy. The second unit wasn’t sharp. The third and fourth groups weren’t much better. The offense gained just 76 yards on their first eight possessions. Of note: Mannion called plays from the sideline.

    Vic Fangio had convinced Sirianni to allow his starters to play in his first two preseasons as defensive coordinator. That wasn’t the case the third time around. The defense was more effective than the offense, particularly the second unit. It got uglier the more they were asked to shoulder the load.

  • Phillies continue with better plate approach, Trea Turner avoids injury scare in 9-1 throttling of Twins

    Phillies continue with better plate approach, Trea Turner avoids injury scare in 9-1 throttling of Twins

    MINNEAPOLIS — At the end of July, two-thirds of the way through the season, the Phillies had the lowest on-base percentage of any team in the majors.

    So, they staged an intervention.

    Kind of.

    “We were swinging ourselves out of innings, out of at-bats, and the numbers say there’s not a lot of strikes coming to a lot of us,” first baseman Alec Bohm said. “It was, let’s at least be looking for something, and if we’re going to go down, let’s go down with a plan and not just be up there free-swinging.

    “That kind of landed with everybody, and I think we’re definitely responding in a good way.”

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    In fact, guess which team leads the majors in on-base percentage in August.

    The Phillies took a .361 mark into Saturday night, and that was before Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Luis Arraez worked consecutive walks ahead of big hits from Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, and Bryson Stott’s three-run homer in a seven-run fifth inning to break open a 9-1 laugher over the Twins.

    It would’ve been a full-blown knee-slapper if Turner hadn’t exited in the eighth inning after fouling a pitch off his right knee. Even so, he emerged with only a bruise and was walking without issue in the clubhouse after the game.

    “I think it looked a lot worse than it was,” said Turner, who didn’t require imaging. “Definitely a little sore, but it kind of just hit me in the knee and I couldn’t catch myself, so I kind of landed awkwardly. But I’m all good.”

    Trea Turner exited in the eighth inning after fouling a pitch off his right knee.Matt Krohn

    Jesús Luzardo has been as good as any pitcher for three months. He yielded one run and worked into the seventh inning for the fifth start in a row. In 17 starts since May 11, he’s second among all pitchers in ERA (2.19) and innings (106⅔) and third in strikeouts (128).

    Luzardo got help from Arraez’s one-hop relay throw — and a well-used replay challenge — to cut down Luke Keaschall at the plate to maintain a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning before the fifth-inning onslaught.

    “It’s an easy challenge,” interim manager Don Mattingly said of getting the call on the field overturned. “It’s a run, so you’re going to look at it. But that was kind of a momentum-turner.”

    Only because the offense delivered against Twins lefty starter Connor Prielipp, who walked Turner and Harper on nine pitches to load the bases with two out. Arraez walked to force in a run before Bohm’s single, a two-run single from Sosa, and Stott’s homer made it 8-0.

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    Bohm finished with five hits, a career-high. Harper, who has drawn 20 walks in 14 games this month, reached base three times.

    It was a continuation of Thursday night in a cornfield in Iowa, where the Phillies routed the Twins at the Field of Dreams movie site. The bats remain inconsistent (they scored a total of one run in back-to-back games this week in St. Louis), but there’s greater adherence to a plan at the plate.

    The Phillies lead all teams with 75 walks in August. But it isn’t simply more patience at the plate, according to Mattingly. It’s a better approach within at-bats.

    Hitting coach Kevin Long preaches “selective-aggressiveness,” a combination of not chasing pitches out of the strike zone and working the count but also pouncing when there’s a pitch to handle. Long and his assistants talked about being more faithful to that philosophy when they met with the hitters a few weeks ago.

    “The hitters group had conversations with the guys just about staying within an approach,” Mattingly said. “Since then, the at-bats have really changed as far as staying within game plans, up and down the order. And we didn’t really talk about walking. We talked about staying within an approach. You still want to be aggressive in the strike zone, but knowing what you want to do.”

    Alec Bohm had a career-high five hits Saturday night in a 9-1 Phillies victory in Minnesota.Matt Krohn

    Jim Leyland, who managed the Tigers under Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, always said the pennant races begin on Aug. 15.

    In that case, the Phillies were right on time.

    With a second consecutive victory over the Twins after back-to-back losses in St. Louis, the Phillies kept pace in what’s shaping up as a three-team — and perhaps even five-team — race for two wild-card spots. The Padres lost and the Diamondbacks won, leaving them both tied with the Phillies at 66-58, an 86-win pace.

    After a relentless 30-day span in which they hosted the All-Star Game followed by the Dodgers and Yankees, traded for a three-time batting champion (Arraez), displaced three-fourths of the infield, and took a 10-hour detour to play at the Field of Dreams, the schedule features downhill sledding from here.

    “It’s time to start going,” Stott said.

    A more effective approach at the plate is one way to do that.