Eagles' Jordan Davis Ready to Begin Season of Expectations

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis enters his second season with lofty expectations and wants to help lead a young group of teammates at his position

PHILADELPHIA – It’s difficult to tell what’s bigger when it comes to Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis – his size, at 6-6, 340 or so pounds, or the XXL expectations that have been heaped upon him.

Davis has been bearing the expectations fairly well throughout the summer, with what appears to be some improved conditioning, running first-team nose tackle in the Eagles 50-front and over guard opposite Fletcher Cox in the 40.

"Great shape, was in tune, wanted to be special like everybody else and he's also very team-oriented,” said defensive line coach Tracy Rocker of Davis. “He had a great offseason and now his training camp is going fine and growing every day now.”

The process of living up to both his size and expectations in Year 2 comes Saturday night when he and his teammates open the preseason in Baltimore against the Ravens.

“I think that’s the biggest advantage for me, personally, just knowing what to expect, knowing what it takes,” said Davis, who seemed ready to take on more snaps until an ankle injury on Oct. 30 sidelined him for four games.

“Obviously, last year before the injury, I was starting to get a good feel for it. But going into this year, I have a full offseason under my belt. That’s really important, and that’s something I get on younger guys about.”

There are plenty of young guys, too, outside of the 12-year veteran Cox.

Davis may not play long. He is a starter and they aren’t expected to play much, if at all, but many of those young guys will, including Jalen Carter, who has taken a for-now backseat to the 23-year-old Davis as the rookie ninth-overall pick continues his adjustment to the pros.

"The biggest thing is that can we keep repeating what we do every day at a high level and that's what I talk to them about,” said Rocker, about Carter specifically but the young front as well.

“And being a pro. I mean this is not easy. It moves fast and you're playing against bigger and stronger people and that's all we talk about - how to be a pro, how to keep getting better and staying in tune and staying focused.

“Training camp is long and it's a long deal. Every day is a different day. Different plays, different defenses so you have to make those adjustments.”

The Eagles are deep on the D-line and that depth and youth will be on display in Baltimore.

Outside of free-agent signing Kentavius Street, who is 26, the Eagles have three tackles who are just 24, and another, rookie seventh-round pick Moro Ojomo, who doesn’t turn 22 until two days after his first pro game.

The three 24-year-olds are Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulto, and Noah Elliss, the brother of linebacker Christian Ellis.

Tuipulotu has had a strong summer following a second year in which he was playing well until an injury landed him on injured reserve after he had been playing 21 percent of the snaps, mostly as a nose tackle.

“He had a really good summer,” said Rocker. “In tune and focused. He's repeating everything every day. We are looking forward to it. It's just the way he approaches every day at practice.

“He's got a laser focus and it's been enjoyable like alright he's got the look alright I don't have much to say. Look forward to seeing you at practice.”

Of Williams, Rocker said, “He's had a chip on his shoulder since he's arrived and that's good. What I like about him is he's got an old soul. He approaches practice business-like and every day is important to him and he's a competitive young man and he's tough. He shows up.”

Elliss is a long shot after arriving as an undrafted free agent last and spending the season on IR.

"Looks good there,” said Rocker about the potential of players who can slide to nose tackle. “You know we got Noah. We got some guys there. I feel good about it and then we can move some pieces around.

“You got Street, we can move him in there, I mean Milton has played there so everybody is interchangeable and that's part of the deal we talk about everybody can play all the positions.”

With Davis at the head of the class.

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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