Eagles Training Camp Day 4: Pads, Drones, Big Nickel & 'Deadly' WRs
PHILADELPHIA - The acclimation period is over for the Philadelphia Eagles and coach Nick Sirianni wasted no time in getting his players into pads for the first time this summer, something that resulted in the first “whoo hit” of training camp and the unveiling of defensive coordinator Sean Desai’s Big Nickel look on defense.
The Eagles went for about 90 minutes, along with the standard developmental period in a “green” or high-intensity session after a walkthrough on Monday put the punctuation on the league-mandated ramp-up portion of camp.
A drone was spotted overhead for the first time during individual drills. The Eagles have the reputation of a forward-thinking organization and typically embrace new technologies if they feel the information gathered is actionable.
Here’s what the drone captured:
-It was another sharp day for Jalen Hurts, who looks extremely comfortable in the offense and is processing things in a quicker fashion. For the second straight practice, the football rarely hit the ground when Hurts was on the field with the two highlights being a 60-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Brown on a post route with James Bradberry trailing and Terrell Edmunds late with the help. In red-zone work, Hurts also connected with DeVonta Smith off a sprint-right option for a touchdown.
-After getting banged up in Sunday’s practice, receiver Deon Cain sat out with what was described as an ankle injury. Cain was on the field, however, and was walking well after practice so it doesn’t seem serious. Hasson Reddick (sore groin), Avonte Maddox (toe), and Derek Barnett (knee) remain limited. Both Reddick and Maddox spoke after practice and are close to being a full-go.
-Safety Justin Evans was forced to leave for a bit with a lower-body injury but did return to the practice.
-The pads mean hitting, sometimes it’s by mistake, like when K’Von Wallace couldn’t let up and smacked Dan Arnold, and sometimes it’s not. Physical undrafted cornerback Mekhi Garner lit up receiver Charleston Rambo in team drills, drawing oohs and aahs from fans. Ironically, Garner and Rambo share the No. 43 so the highlight was 43 on 43 crime.
The Philadelphia coaching staff noted last year that then-undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship opened some eyes with his physicality when the pads came on and perhaps Garner can trace that path because he’s been very physical in press coverage as well.
-One concern we haven’t mentioned has been Brett Toth’s shotgun snaps as the backup center. Part of quarterback Marcus Mariota’s issues, as he tries to get his feet set in this offense, has been trying to corral the snap before getting into the play. Presumably, Cam Jurgens remains the backup center if catastrophe strikes with Jason Kelce but Jurgens has taken every first-team rep at right guard for four consecutive practices.
-At one point, the Eagles were working one-on-ones on all three fields with the receivers and defensive backs working closest to Pattison Avenue, the backs and linebackers working pass pro on the middle field, and the defensive front going against the offensive line on the other field.
My focus was toggling between the receivers and pass rushers.
-Hurts and A.J. Brown continue to be deadly with the back-shoulder stuff while second-year receiver Britain Covey is really creating consistent separation from the slot with his short-area quickness and sharp cuts. In a speed vs. speed battle, Maddox stuck with Quez Watkins after a double move and Smith hauled down a 50/50 ball with Darius Slay in sticky coverage. Garner has an excellent rep against fellow undrafted rookie receiver Joseph Ngata but the latter got second-year cornerback Josh Jobe on a go route.
-Jurgens persevered against talented rookie Jalen Carter on a pair of reps. He either savvily pulled Carter down or was holding in the first and then stalemated the star rookie in the second. Dennis Kelly has a really good rep keeping Tarron Jackson at bay with his 6-8 frame and Tyler Steen did nice work against Marlon Tuipulotu. The most impressive rep I saw was Milton Williams blowing by Sua Opeta.
-The pause to a walkthrough on Monday was followed by some tweaks in the reps. Christian Ellis got the vast majority of the first-team reps over Nicholas Morrow at linebacker next to Nakobe Dean and when Elliss didn’t it was Desai unveiling with a big nickel look with three safeties on the field.
-Wallace is gaining more and more reps with the first team as well although Terrell Edmunds is still getting some. Blankenship has been the constant on the first team.
-With Maddox still working his way back, first-team slot reps were given to Zech McPhearson, Josiah Scott, and Mario Goodrich, the first time for the latter.
-Rookie third-round safety Sydney Brown was bumped up to getting second-team reps for the first time while the backup left tackle was Jack Driscoll for the second consecutive practice with Kelly handling the right side.
-The big nickel look involved Wallace, Edmunds, and Sydney Brown playing linebacker at times. Edmunds got the first look and was bulldozed on a block by Kelce. The defense was also in big nickel on Brown’s long touchdown so the look was not necessarily effective early but it could be something down the road since Wallace and Edmunds can be interchangeable between safety and linebacker while Blankenship handles the post.
-The Eagles were working on downing punts inside the 10 during a special teams period and Arryn Siposs continued to distance himself from undrafted rookie Ty Zentner. McPhearson remains the top gunner with Greedy Williams and Jobe among those getting high-level reps.
The punt returners are led by Covey, Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Smith for high-leverage spots.
-After losing the third-down jamboree on Sunday, the defense won it today and the offense had to run gassers.
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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
