The first padded practice of Eagles Training camp is in the books and it could not have been more eventful. The practice lasted nearly three hours in length and saw arguably the most intense, yet exciting practice of Training Camp so far if we’re to go by reports. Here are ten takeaways from today’s practice.
Injury update:
Brandon Brooks and Ryan Mathews were still absent from practice..but they may be joined by a few more players on the sidelines tomorrow.
Post-practice injury report at #EaglesCamp : CB Nolan Carroll (ankle), WR Marcus Johnson (quad), WR Rueben Randle (cramps)
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 30, 2016
Also, Ron Brooks was carted off of the field with cramps but will likely be back in action tomorrow. The most notable injury here is Nolan Carroll. Carroll had his 2015 season cut short by a broken ankle, we’re currently unsure if it is the same ankle that he’s injured..but even so, it’s slightly concerning to see. I posted an article recently on how many cornerbacks suffer injuries on Jim Schwartz and what it means for the Eagles. Unfortunately for the birds, it looks like I may be right.
The return of the drops:
We know that the undrafted rookies struggled with drops at the start of training camp, but it appears as though the bug is still a very prominent flaw in the Eagles Offense…
Huff drops a pass. Bradford goes 1/5 on 11v11 with 3 drops #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 30, 2016
In 7-7, #Eagles Givens drops deep wobbly throw from Bradford then Burton drops slant from Daniel
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) July 30, 2016
Back to back drops by Sproles and Celek. Jason Kelce stops the proceedings, claps his hands, yells out 'Let's go, Let's go!' #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 30, 2016
Now it’s Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz with drops. Poor Sammy Sleeves. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
Not exactly the most encouraging series of tweets to read. The drops came from all angles and all quarterbacks appeared to be plagued by them. It remains to be seen if this will improve as camp progresses, but it’s certainly a concern moving forward.
Wentz has a varied day:
It's only been 4 practices but from what we've seen so far, I was much more impressed by Carson Wentz's spring than his early camp. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 30, 2016
Carson Wentz with an anticipation throw to Trey Burton over the middle. Nice leaping catch by the TE, too. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
Carson Wentz threw a deep bomb to Huff that the WR actually caught. Beauty. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
Carson Wentz underthrows a deep ball into double coverage to Chris Givens. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 30, 2016
Carson Wentz hits Paul Turner deep, which brings about some cheers from fans in attendance. #Eagles
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) July 30, 2016
Carson Wentz throws to Rueben Randle. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/WX8NLMArnE
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) July 30, 2016
Today was the rookie’s first ever NFL practice in pads, which meant that he was naturally going to see a slightly steeper learning curve. Wentz seemed to be just as confident as he has all camp if we’re to go by what reports are saying..which is a very encouraging sign. Wentz continues to flash the brilliance we all see in him..it now becomes a case of making those flashes permanent.
Reuben Randle shined..:
…before he left early with an injury. The former Giants receiver isn’t taking Training camp lightly and by all accounts made a very heavy impression in his first padded practice with the Eagles.
Rueben Randle just woke up training camp with a full-speed one-handed snag.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) July 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/GarryCobb/status/759385413689733120
Reuben Randle has the coaching staff's attention, too. Look for him to be a top-3 WR for the Eagles this year.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) July 30, 2016
The Eagles need a solid pair of hands and a player who can reach over defensive backs and make those tough catches..the early signs are pointing to Randle potentially becoming that guy.
Marcus Smith looks good..but stay calm:
A few people predicted a big Camp for DE Marcus Smith simply because..well, he needs to have one. Luckily for the Eagles, the early signs are promising.
Marcus Smith (remember him?) already credited with two "sacks" during team drills. Should point out he's beating LT Matt Tobin, though.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) July 30, 2016
Marcus Smith having nice day. Applied heavy pressure in 11-11 then 1-1 vs OL he beat his blocker twice #Eagles
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) July 30, 2016
As Jeff McLane mentioned..it’s not like he’s beating elite competition just yet..but he’s a natural “hand in the dirt” pass rusher as we mentioned on our podcast last night. To see that the natural tenacity and pass-rushing ability hasn’t entirely disappeared leaves us some hope his flame can be re-ignited.
Burton Burton Burton Burton:
Who would have ever guessed that Eagles third string TE Trey Burton would have yet another impressive outing..?
Carson Wentz with an anticipation throw to Trey Burton over the middle. Nice leaping catch by the TE, too. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/GarryCobb/status/759392758792646656
https://twitter.com/JoshPaunil/status/759380359821791232
Trey Burton having himself a day. He's made difficult catches all morning.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) July 30, 2016
Eagles gotta find a way to get Trey Burton involved on offense. Looks good out here catching the ball. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
I mean..HOW MANY MORE ARTICLES DO I NEED TO WRITE REGARDING THE EVER SO OBVIOUS DECISION TO MOVE HIM OUTSIDE?! I’ve been preaching it since before minicamp, I’ve written countless articles explaining why..and yet I seem to be the only person who can put 2 and 2 together. Anyway, it’s fantastic to see Burton having a big day out there..I really believe he can be a huge part of this Offense moving forward.
Even if he doesn’t move outside, the Chiefs used plenty of 3-TE sets under Pederson’s control..and with Frank Reich being so hot on him, we could see more of the same in Philly.
Huff struggles massively:
It’s not really surprising, but Josh Huff just can’t seem to find his stride. He struggled with drops through OTA’s and he’s struggling again at Training camp.
Breaking news: Huff caught a pass. Developing news: Wentz threw the pass.
— Conor (@SnipeMyles) July 30, 2016
We should be used to this by now, but Josh Huff with another drop on short pass over the middle. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 30, 2016
Back to back quick slant throws to Josh Huff. Both dropped #Eagles
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) July 30, 2016
After 2 drops, Josh Huff catches one over middle and goes up sideline.
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) July 30, 2016
Huff may have had brief moments of the explosiveness people use for a reason to keep him in the same way they used Riley Cooper’s blocking, but he needs to simply step up in the practices to come or he could be facing a very uncertain future.
Jalen Mills looked good again..but has a lot to learn:
Mills may have attacked his first padded session with the same swagger in which he ended Friday’s practice, but the Eagles aren’t going to go easy on him just because he’s impressing.
Deficiency in Jalen Mills' game in college is that he would occasionally shy away from contact. On the first day in pads, he's popping.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) July 30, 2016
Jalen Mills falls, doesn't get up right away. Cory Undlin has choice words for him. "You were on your way up, now you're on your way down."
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) July 30, 2016
Mills reportedly watched on as a receiver ran down the sideline with the ball after he slipped and missed the tackle. This really didn’t sit well with Cory Undlin who seems keen to push Mills as hard as he can in order to mould him into the best corner possible.
Eric Rowe intent on making a statement:
Rowe began to re-assert himself in the starting CB picture yesterday and continued to do so when he put the pads on.
Eric Rowe at first team playing right cornerback. 11 on 11s #Eagles
— Bob Grotz 🇺🇸 (@BobGrotz) July 30, 2016
Sam Bradford unfurls a beautiful deep ball to Xavier Rush. Eric Rowe with him step for step, breaks up the pass in the end zone. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 30, 2016
Bradford throws deep to Xavier Rush in the end zone . Rookie dropped it. Rowe trailing, may have gotten his hand on it.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
He isn’t going anywhere just yet, folks. With Brooks and Carroll now potentially out for a few days, he really has the chance to step up and make an impact..as does Denzel Rice who also seemed to make a few big plays today.
Safety strength:
We know how good Jenkins and McLeod have the potential to be as a tandem..and we got a glimpse of that today at Camp.
Rodney McLeod popped Josh Huff a little bit after the WR made a short catch over the middle. He’s gonna light people up this year. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 30, 2016
Malcolm Jenkins with interceptions in each of the last two sets of drills. First off McLeod Bethel-Thompson, then off Chase Daniel. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 30, 2016
It may only be Training camp and the early stages at that..but this could well be the start of a dominant Safety era in Philadelphia once again.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
