Takeaways from Eagles' 36-10 win over Colts

The NFL preseason is a peculiar ritual. Preceded by an almost religious fervor, it's a period of extreme hope -- followed almost immediately by a kind of morose boredom resulting from the lack of starting players and meaningful plays as the games themselves wear along.

It not counting for anything much, the Philadelphia Eagles sputtered and spurted to a 36-10 decision over the equally listless Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

Here are the Pro Football Report's takeaways:

- The Colts were stubborn in their early attempts at rushing the football, to the Eagles' favor. Their front group was in mid-season form against the rush, holding Colts backs to 2.3 yards per attempt under nose tackle Bennie Logan's leadership. That unit looks to be in the same condition it was for most of 2014. The Eagles' first-team cornerbacks, however, could still use some work. Luck walked off the field during his second drive with 43 yards on five completions. He averaged 7.2 yards through the air. 

- Mark Sanchez was given the first quarter to establish himself as a contender in the quarterback competition. He didn't. The Eagles' first drive netted under a minute of game time on a quick three-and-out. Sanchez wasn't helped by Trey Burton or Darren Sproles on relatively open drops, but his toss for Jordan Matthews, who came wide open near the end zone on their second possession, was nowhere near on target. He had the time to make the right throw on a roll out to his left. 

- Rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor's first NFL catch was a 34 yard touchdown. He pulled down another bad throw from Sanchez away from his body and outpaced double coverage down the sideline, showing that after-the-catch ability he was known for at USC, and for which Kelly would like to keep him known. He also had two drops, though, including a gimme along the sideline away from the defensive back. Some good, some bad. He's a rookie.

- If the NFL wanted to prevent point after kicks from being automatic, they may have gotten their wish. Cody Parkey missed his second attempt on the day wide right following Kenjon Barner's touchdown rush, and flubbed a field goal wide right. Will Chip Kelly go for two from now on? Not so fast: Parkey was a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie year of 2014. Practice makes perfect.

- It was a good day to be Kenjon Barner. The reserve Eagles back lurked through excellent blocking off a pitch over the left side from Sanchez in the early going and returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown with four seconds left in the first half. Barner is a textbook Kelly player -- short and fast, with all the intangibles that earned him a starting spot on Chip's Oregon squad.

- Matt Barkley pitched as the No. 3 man behind center, going 12-of-20 for 192 yards and an interception. He came out with two great passes, a crossing dart for Jordan Matthews and an accurate long ball for Miles Austin. But turnovers are still a problem for him, as he struggled to get the ball high enough away from nearby defenders.

- No. 4 quarterback Tim Tebow came out in rhythm, completing his first four pass attempts, including a well-designed 3rd-and-12 conversion for tight end Eric Tomlinson. He also recovered a fumble at the line, and garnered an off-tackle rush amidst tremendous fanfare. He had a 2-for-8 slump and made some poor decisions, but was also let down by the left side of the front line, who let a 13 yard sack through near the red zone. He had a nice 18 yard gainer put on Rasheed Bailey's fingertips and rushed for a touchdown. When given a chance by those around him, he makes good decisions. He should make the roster.

- Andrew Gardiner looked solid during his brief outing as the starting right guard. The job is between he and John Moffitt, who largely saw time in relief to the right side later in the game. Gardiner took his assignments well, though also let a tackler through against Mark Sanchez. 

- Eric Rowe, the Eagles' second-round pick in April, first made bad, then good on the same play in the first quarter. He let Colts rook Philip Dorsett sneak past for a 20 yard reception, but redeemed himself with a brilliant and perfectly timed strip fumble

- Rookie safety Ed Reynolds pulled down two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one coming over the top playing center field duties and stepping in front of an intended receiver in some well-timed zone coverage. He looks to add some youth and depth to an still relatively needy defensive secondary.