Mandatory Minicamp is now officially underway for the Philadelphia Eagles which in itself brings with it plenty to talk about. From the return of Fletcher Cox and Darren Sproles to the competition at just about every position on the field, the next few days promise to be very exciting. Here are ten things to take away from the first day of Mandatory Minicamp.
Kicking out the competition:
The battle at the kicker position is something that has largely gone under the radar until recently. While many presume Cody Parkey will resume his role as the team’s starting kicker, Caleb Sturgis isn’t going down without a fight. Today, both kickers looked good..but one had a slight edge.
Caleb Sturgis & Cody Parkey good from 33, 38, & 43. Sturgis good from 48, but Parkey hit upright. Power Sturge ⚡️⚡️⚡️ takes commanding lead.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) June 7, 2016
This is the second time that Sturgis has outshined Parkey ever so slightly..but it’s those small margins that can make the biggest differences come both the final roster decision and kicking in the regular season.
Adding fuel to the fire:
It wasn’t too long ago that Mike Martin got up close and personal with Allen Barbre..today, he acquired a new target, Connor Barwin.
Last week, Allen Barbre and Mike Martin tangled. Today, Barbre and Connor Barwin enjoy a healthy discussion while shoving one another.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) June 7, 2016
Perhaps it’s not the wisest decision to start shoving someone as well respected as Barwin..but Mike Martin seems very intent on making a point. He fears nobody and he’s here to be the dominant athlete at his position. With Fletcher Cox taking limited snaps (more on that later), he’s really trying to make the most of the opportunity.
Ruthless aggression:
We know the theme of Schwartz’s Defense is aggression..and it’s something that’s being cemented in the mindsets of the players as we speak. Last week we began to see how fired up Schwartz was on the sidelines, today..the defensive backs got a taste.
Eric Rowe loses contain on a run from Kenjon Barner and #Eagles DB coach Cory Undlin yells “Eric, wake the f*** up!”
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
It may not sound like much..but having that kind of pressure and aggression implemented from such an early stage is crucial for a Defense that thrives on it.
Rookie progress:
Carson Wentz started the day a little shaky..but that didn’t stop him from heating up and bouncing back to end the day on a high.
Not a very good 11-11 set from Carson Wentz first time out. Throwing high #Eagles
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) June 7, 2016
Wentz just tried to hit Agholor on a quick fade. Over shot him. Agholor: Come on brother!
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 7, 2016
Carson Wentz intercepted by Chris Maragos in the end zone on a deep ball. Pass was way off target. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) June 7, 2016
Today, for Carson Wentz, can best be classified as a learning experience. #eagles
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) June 7, 2016
Carson Wentz just launched a 40 yd bomb to Hunter Sharp. Nice play.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 7, 2016
Wentz took a ball that was rolling on the ground after being snapped poorly and fired it over the middle for a completion. Impressive.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
So as the day wore on, Wentz got hotter. Pederson said today that the equal snap division would likely be a constant factor until late pre-season..meaning that the development of Carson Wentz will be even more exciting to watch.
ALERT, A WILD MARCUS SMITH HAS BEEN SPOTTED:
Marcus Smith sighting! He batted Chase Daniel’s pass down at the line of scrimmage.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
Marcus Smith made a positional change this offseason in what could be his last attempt to salvage a career in Philadelphia. With Jim Schwartz tutoring him, it seems as though things are moving in the right direction..baby steps guys, baby steps! Regardless of how fans feel about Smith, I think we can all agree that we would love to see him have a huge year. Hopefully this early spark could be a sign of things to come.
Bradford breezes through day one:
It may have taken Wentz a while to find his stride..but the Eagles starting quarterback started the week with a bang.
Sam Bradford with a 60/70 yard touchdown pass to Josh Huff #eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) June 7, 2016
Sam Bradford's best thrown of the day, a 45-yard bomb to Josh Huff. Hit him in stride for a TD. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) June 7, 2016
Really strong showing from Sam Bradford today. 11 on 11, 7 on 7, everything. Big throws throughout. #Eagles #NFL
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) June 7, 2016
The best case scenario for the Eagles is that Bradford starts the year in the same fashion. The former number one overall pick has only really had one day since his return to the NovaCare Complex..but if this were to be considered a rebound, it might as well be a slingshot.
A Cox conspiracy?
Both Fletcher Cox and Darren Sproles returned to work today after two very different holdouts, but Doug Pederson insisted that both would be eased back into their routines slowly to avoid any risk of injury. What we saw however, were two very different practice sessions.
Darren Sproles was essentially full participant at practice despite what Pederson said about limiting him. Fletcher Cox, though, did little.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) June 7, 2016
From fielding punts to catching passes to taking reps with the first team, Sproles was very busy for someone who is supposed to be starting out slow. Fletcher Cox on the other-hand didn’t seem to be doing much at all..
Jordan Hicks taking reps at first team MLB on defense. Sproles is now getting some reps on offense too. Still no Cox though.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
Fletcher Cox on the sideline as the Eagles start 11 on 11. Pederson noted he’d be limited this week.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
Maybe I’m reading too much into this..but it’s a big coincidence that the holdout of Sproles had nothing to do with money, yet the holdout of Fletcher Cox had everything to do with it when you consider how active both were today..
Fullback in action:
There haven’t been any updates on the fullback front in the last few days other than former Jets TE Chris Pantale is the man who the Eagles seem to favor at the position. That hasn’t changed as Pantale continues to get looks as the first team fullback.
TE Chris Pantale continues to get looks at first team FB for the Eagles.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
If Pantale can make the most of this opportunity, there’s no reason why he can’t make the final 53-man roster.
Receivers struggle:
It wasn’t a good day for a couple of the Eagles receivers, Josh Huff and Nelson Agholor were among the names that struggled on the opening day of mandatory minicamp.
Agholor with another drop. Not a great day for him either. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
Huff drops a pass from Daniel despite being wide open near sideline. Rookie DB Blake Countess caught the tipped ball but didn’t stay in.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 7, 2016
Huff has struggled throughout OTA’s and is yet to show signs of improvement. Agholor on the other hand has been reasonably impressive until this point..it will be interesting to see if either can have a better day tomorrow.
Participation update:
While everyone on the roster is accounted for (except the two Oregon rookies due to college schedules), not everyone will be participating fully just yet. Reuben Randle has been cleared to practice in a limited fashion after undergoing a gallbladder surgery while JaCorey Shepherd and Nolan Carroll have also been given the same status.
The time missed by Shepherd could prove to be hugely detrimental in a competition as vicious as the one at cornerback. Carroll’s role shouldn’t really be in jeopardy after resigning with the team during the offseason, but with 11 defensive backs on the roster..nothing is certain.
Photo credit: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports