Eagles Camp Day 3: Passing Game Picks Up, 3rd-Down Jamboree & Rookie CB 'Opens Eyes'

The Philadelphia Eagles offense got the better of an evolving defense on Sunday in South Philly.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles were back on the practice field Sunday for their longest session of the summer, a 95-minute “green practice” heavy on the passing game and featuring the return of coach Nick SIrianni’s third-down jamboree, a competitive session late in the practice won by the offense.

It was a far cry from the last practice on Friday when temperatures reached into the 90s in South Philadelphia and the heat index found triple digits. Mother Nature cooperated with a beautiful day this time where the real-feel started at 77.

It was the last day of the NFL/NFLPA-mandated acclimation period for the Eagles and the team can put on the pads for the first time on Tuesday, the next scheduled open practice.

Here’s what we observed on Sunday:

-Things started with an extended period working on the outside screen game, a big part of the Eagles’ offensive scheme, and a bit of default setting if the quarterback recognizes a numbers advantage outside.

-The traffic picked up for Jalen Hurts and the star quarterback delivered with a solid practice in which things rarely hit the ground. A.J. Brown continued his dominant summer so far and the embattled Quez Watkins showed some life with his athleticism and quickness. At one point, Hurts dropped a beautiful ball in the bucket to Watkins in bracket coverage from Zech McPhearson and Christian Ellis.

-Brown was brilliant in one-on-one work dusting top-tier cornerback Darius Slay with a very efficient comeback route.

-Hurts, meanwhile, was extremely effective on QB draws in big spots so the Eagles have something cooking there.

-Undrafted rookie cornerback Mekhi Garner is opening some eyes with his size and physicality. At 6-2 and 212, receivers know it when Garner gets his hands on them at the line of scrimmage. He completely rerouted Olamide Zaccheaus on one route and then stifled Tyrie Cleveland on another. Cleveland, though, is 6-2 and 205 himself and regained composure as Marcus Mariota hit him on a go route.

-Mariota has been a bit too rushed at times as he tries to learn the offense and hurried a pass on a 3rd and 15 desperation play resulting in a James Bradberry interception.

-Second-year receiver and punt returner Britain Covey has shown increased short-area quickness and generated nice separation from Josiah Scott for a big gainer on a crossing pattern.

-Speaking of Covey, he was also taking kickoff returns when the Eagles were working on kickoff coverage. Also, undrafted rookie punter Ty Zentner worked on kickoffs, presumably to save Jake Elliott’s leg.

-Jordan Davis has gotten a ton of work in both five- and four-man fronts and multiple teammates have acknowledged the second-year player's improved conditioning. After practice, Davis said he spent the offseason “moving” as much as possible to improve his conditioning. He’s still right around 340 pounds but is carrying the weight better and noted something like five consecutive reps is much easier now.

-After “losing” the third-down jamboree the defense had to do one gasser before the developmental period started.

-Left guard Landon Dickerson left practice for a short time before returning. Backup Sua Opeta worked with the first team when Dickerson was out. Also, Avonte Maddox was banged-up after a one-on-one rep but returned to work in some 7-on-7s, and receiver Deon Cain came up limping but worked out the issue quickly. Cain continues to be impressive after being signed right before camp began. 

-Maddox (toe) and Derek Barnett (knee) remain limited, while Hasson Reddick (groin) returned to do individual work after missing the first two practices.

-Elliss continues to get some reps with the first-team defense and has clearly been the Eagles’ best coverage linebacker. On back-to-back reps during one 7-on-7 period, Elliss locked down Kenny Gainwell, a very good receiver out of the backfield. K'Von Wallace also got some first-team reps at safety next to Reed Blankenship for teh second consecutive practice.

-Jack Driscoll and Dennis Kelly flipped with the second team today with Driscoll getting work at left tackle and Kelly taking reps on the right side.

-During the developmental period Ian Book found undrafted rookie Joseph Ngata on a go route with Kelee Ringo in coverage.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen