John Harbaugh is coming home, in more ways than one when he brings the Baltimore Ravens here for three days of joint practices with the Eagles leading up to their Aug. 22nd preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Ingrid and John Harbaugh (NFL.com).

Harbaugh coached the Eagles’ special teams and defensive backs for 10 years, ending in 2007. He lived in Newtown Square for most of that time. Ravens offensive line coach Juan Castillo and quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg worked with Harbaugh during his tour with the Eagles.
 
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly practiced with the New England Patriots the previous two Augusts. The Patriots aren’t on this preseason schedule.
 
The practice schedule for the Ravens likely will be similar to the past slates although the details have to be worked out according to an Eagles spokesman. The game is Saturday at 7 p.m. (Channel 6).

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Vick might be able to play a round of golf on Phoenix trip.

The play-calling still left something to be desired.

Too often the Eagles tried to be too cute, too clever for their own good in their game Sunday against the Ravens.

I've always thought the more aggressive the approach, the greater the frequency of turnovers. And the Eagles have 9 giveaways in two games.

But the simple no huddle approach the Eagles used liberally was brilliant.

It kept the players involved, limited the substitutions of the Ravens and above all, minimized the over-thinking that led to four Michael Vick interceptions in the season opener.

"The two-minute offense definitely gets you into a rhythm," Vick said. "It gives you the opportunity to see the field and just kind of negates what the defense can do at certain moments."

Except for the first interception, Vick's decision making was  considerably better than during his first game. And it could get better.

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The Eagles inactives Sunday included cornerback Curtis Marsh (hamstring), wide receiver Riley Cooper (collarbone), running back Dion Lewis, offensive linemen Dennis Kelly and Nate Menkin and defensive end Vinny Curry.

Offensive tackle Demtress Bell dressed for the game after sitting out the opener.

With DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Jeremy Maclin (hip) less than 100 percent, newly signed receiver Mardy Gilyard was activated.

Curry, Lewis, Kelly and Menkin are healthy scratches.

Defensive end  Pernell McPhee suited up for the Ravens despite a back issue.

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Needs a big game.

Thought you might be interested in the expert analysis of Michael Lombardi, who intimated Michael Vick is under a lot of pressure (didn't we know this?).

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Spirit of the late Eagle Joe Brown lives on,

OFFENSE: Ravens. No huddle is perfect for Joe Flacco.

DEFENSE: Eagles. Season opening effort wasn't a fluke.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Ravens. Their kicker, Justin Tucker, can hit it a mile.

COACHING: Ravens. A little more cohesive than their counterparts.

INTANGIBLES: Eagles. Oddsmakers made them the favorite to take bets.
 
THE TALK: The Eagles won with defense last week. With receivers DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant banged-up, that’s what it will take to get the job done against the Ravens, who with Joe Flacco getting the ball to Ray Rice, play better offense than defense these days.
 
THE PICK: Make it Ravens 27, Eagles 24.

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Brian Westbrook, Andy Talley, Andy Reid.

John Harbaugh credits Andy Reid with helping him get a foot in the head coaching door.

In this piece Harbaugh says Reid and one other coach were the biggest influences on him.

Harbaugh and the Ravens take on Reid and the Eagles Sunday at 1 p.m. (CBS 3, WIP 94.1-FM).

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He can watch practice.

Eagles starting wide receivers DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Jeremy Maclin (hip) were limited in practice Friday after sitting out the previous day.

Both are listed questionable for Sunday, when the Eagles entertain the Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson told me he expects to play.

Maclin said he intends to play, too.

Wide receiver Riley Cooper (collarbone) has been ruled out although he worked on a limited basis per the Eagles.

Nickel cornerback Curtis Marsh (hamstring) was limited at practice and listed questionable by the Eagles.

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Practice closed Wednesday.

Riley Cooper practiced in helmet and pads Wednesday for the first time since fracturing his collarbone early in training camp.

Cooper isn't sure what the coaches' plan is for him. Even the limited work was welcomed by the veteran with steel pins in his shoulder.

"You feel like you're actually a part of the team again," Cooper said. "It felt good. We're ahead of schedule. I feel good. I'm not a doctor but it feels good."

Jeremy Maclin (hip pointer) was  held out of practice. Safety Kurt Coleman, still nursing facial cuts from his collision with Browns running back Trent Richardson, was limited. Wide receiver Jason Avant (wrist) practiced fully.

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Jai Jarrett is no Brian Dawkins.

Jaiquawn Jarrett has size, quickness and heart.

Those qualities just didn't translate into playing coverage well enough for the Eagles to admit their mistake in releasing the second-round draft pick out of Temple.

“I think the style of defense will be best for him somewhere else, not with this team," head coach Andy Reid said. "That’s really what I want to say. This gives him a chance to hook on with somebody."

In the Eagles system the safeties are required to play man coverage on the tight ends and backs, among other duties. Jarrett was better in run defense than pass defense.

"It’s unfortunate, man but you never know in this business," safety Nate Allen said. "Anybody can be gone tomorrow. JJ is going to get picked up by somebody and have a long career.

"He’s just a physical player. He’s a great tackler, he covers well, too. I think he’ll adapt."

Newly acquired David Sims and Colt Anderson, the latter more of a special teams player, are the next men up at safety.

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Ravens stopping in here Sunday.

John Harbaugh, the Eagles' assistant from 1998-2006, is the only NFL head coach to win a playoff game in each of his first four seasons.

Harbaugh is 45-20 (.692) with the Ravens in the regular season, 5-4 in the postseason.

The Ravens take on the Eagles this Sunday.

Eagles head coach. Andy Reid is 127-81-1 (.610) in the regular season, 10-9 in the playoffs. In  2008 Harbaugh beat him 36-7 in Baltimore.

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Eagles by 1 ...

The Eagles-Ravens life is a puzzler. So much so we requested an explanation from sports publicist Jimmy Shapiro.

Here's what Shapiro got from Bovada.lv Sportsbook manager, Kevin Bradley:

“While on first glance it may look like the Ravens should be a favorite in week two  against the Eagles, some of the numbers tell a different story.

"At the beginning of the NFL season both teams had an over under total wins of 10 on our website. Looking at updated Super Bowl odds we have the Ravens at 12-1 and the Eagles at 16-1, about a 2 percent difference.

"Considering all that and the fact that the Eagles are playing at home we have made them a 1 point favorite this weekend against Baltimore.

"So while their week one performances were drastically different, we never want to over-adjust the odds based on one game and now look forward to an exciting week two matchup in Philadelphia.”

Thanks, guys. Couldn't have said it better.

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