The big story of the Eagles preseason opener was the guy who was not in uniform - and the guy who was but may not be come opening day.
Of course, Chip Kelly pulled the plug on the debut of Sam Bradford on Friday, saying he would wait a week before taking the wraps off his franchise QB next Saturday night against the Ravens.
That meant all eyes at a sweltering Lincoln Financial Field would be on the Birds' backups. And of course that could mean only one thing.
Tebow-mania.
Tim Tebow actually shares something in common with Sam Bradford. Neither of them played a down of regular season football in the NFL last year.
Bradford shredded the ACL in his left knee in the preseason, the second time he had ripped up his knee. Tebow spent the year out of the NFL, in the broadcast booth working as an analyst on SEC games.
Tebow had to wait his turn in the Eagles QB rotation. He didn't get on the field until the second half, after Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley had staked the Eagles to a comfortable lead en route to an easy 36-10 win.
As the starter, Mark Sanchez reminded everyone why Kelly swapped Nick Foles and a draft pick to the Rams for Bradford, even with those two successive knee injuries.
Sanchez looked erratic, throwing everything high, although that did not stop rookie Nelson Agholor from going up and hauling one in, then zipping down the sideline for a 34-yard TD.
Barkley, who now seems to be locked in a battle with Tebow for the No. 3 QB slot, was effective, going 12-of-20 for a TD and one batted ball that was picked off.
Then, midway through the third quarter, a roar slowly built from the Philly faithful. After a standing ovation, it was Tebow time.
And once again, Tebow showed what could be his most interesting quality, as an option in the red zone. Tebow pulled the ball down and rumbled 7 yards for a TD, diving over the pylon at the finish. Eagles fans have not exactly forgotten that the Birds lost two games last year - vs. the Cardinals and 49ers - because they were unable to punch the ball into the end zone from the 2-yard line. Those two games were part of the reason - along with a late season collapse in which they lost three straight - that the Eagles failed to make the playoffs despite winning 10 games for the second straight year under Kelly.
Tebow ended up with 15 yards rushing on four carries, while completing six of 12 passes. He also was sacked twice.
One person was impressed.
Columnist Jack McCaffery liked what he saw of Tebow.
Now it's on to the Main Event. Bradford - and his twice-reconstructed left knee - will be in the spotlight as the Eagles play Game Two of the preseason vs. the Ravens.
Wonder if he'll get a standing ovation when he jogs onto the field.
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