The Eagles first pre-season game is now just eight days away and the excitement is beginning to build. Players are really upping their game in an attempt to earn as many snaps as possible and prove themselves worthy of a roster spot. But in a 2.5 hour practice in which the hitting was hard and consistent, who stood out?
Injuries:
Ryan Mathews, Brandon Brooks and Marcus Johnson were all absent today as expected, but they were joined by Running back Wendell Smallwood who was out with a quad strain.
From 0-100 real quick:
Last year the Eagles surrendered more rushing yards than any team in the NFL. Under Jim Schwartz..that could be set to change. The Defense looked especially dominant in today’s practice..
Mike Martin just destroyed Byron Marshall on a RB toss. This Eagles defense is lit af rn.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
Joe Walker stacks up Barner on goal-line play. #Eagles
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) August 3, 2016
Eagles run defense is absolutely blowing up plays in the backfield near the goal line. Bennie Logan with a huge stop.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
This is arguably the most encouraging things we’ve heard from Camp so far. The run Defense last year was shocking at times..today it was reportedly unrelenting. This is huge for the Eagles if they can carry this level of dominance into the regular season.
Wentz continues to find his feet:
It was another varied day for rookie quarterback Carson Wentz who once again flashed brilliance at times while showing he still has a lot to learn at others.
Wentz just threaded a nice pass to Givens on a deep comeback. Has always been his best route to throw.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 3, 2016
Tavarres almost picked off Wentz after dropping back into coverage. MacFarland caught the ball after it was tipped. Lucky. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
Wentz with a heck of a pump fake to get Denzel Rice to bite and leave Trey Burton wide open down the field. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
Wentz has struggled a little with overthrowing his targets at times. Especially passes near the sidelines.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
It’s all a case of improving for Carson Wentz. His first Training camp in the NFL was always going to contain a steep learning curve, but the signs are encouraging. Patience is a virtue..and he has plenty of time to perfect his craft.
Aaron Grymes catches more than just attention:
It may be 7-on-7’s, but former CFL corner Aaron Grymes is doing everything he can to keep in the spotlight..and it’s working.
Aaron Grymes picked off Bradford on the sideline during 7 on 7. Out jumped Paul Turner to make the INT
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 3, 2016
Other than Mills, Grymes is arguably the corner who’s turned the most heads during Camp so far. If he keeps consistently making plays then the Eagles may be leaning towards making room in a very crammed CB corps for him.
Burton, Burton, Burton:
Of all of the bold predictions I’ve made, TE Trey Burton to have a huge camp and potentially move to Wide receiver is definitely the one I’m most proud of. He has been absolutely stellar during Camp so far..and he performed impressively again today.
Wentz with a heck of a pump fake to get Denzel Rice to bite and leave Trey Burton wide open down the field. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
Burton sells block well on Barwin, leaks into flat wide open, catches, turns and runs, truck sticks Ron Brooks. Burton killing it.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 3, 2016
Trey Burton leaping catch in end zone on fade pass from Chase Daniel. Offense cheers.
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) August 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/LiamJenkins21/status/760851700257284096
Stop sleeping.
Randle has no off-switch:
The former Giants wideout has done more than just make an impression during his opening practices with the Eagles. Randle has been making big plays day in..and day out. Today was no exception.
Rueben Randle once again looking smooth in his routes. Sold the go route, broke it off and worked his way back to ball for a catch vs Rowe
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 3, 2016
Randle catches pass despite McKelvin being draped all over him and trying to rip the ball out. Don’t think I’ve seen RR drop pass all camp.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
An extremely encouraging sign for an Eagles team who crave consistency, explosiveness and reliability at the WR position. Randle seems intent on leaving the questions surrounding his work ethic where they originated, in New York. It’s a new chapter for Reuben Randle..and it’s fair to say it’s had a bright start.
DE rotation:
DE depth is going to be imperative if the Jim Schwartz Defense is going to be successful. The birds already appear to be moving things around by giving Brandon Graham a lot of first team looks during 11-on-11 practices.
Eagles rotating DEs a lot today. Saw Graham with first team, Connor Barwin with second team. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
Brandon Graham getting work at first team left end today, Curry with the 2s.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) August 3, 2016
Beyond Vinny Curry, there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the DE position and rotation is going to play a large part in changing that. Expect this trend to continue as this six-day stretch rolls on and keep an eye out to see if maybe a big day from Marcus Smith or Bryan Braman begins to create a few ripples.
Marshall makes his presence known:
With Mathews and Smallwood absent, the former Oregon Duck is destined to see an increase in reps over the coming days. The versatile back seems to have another ace up his sleeve however.
Byron Marshall a surprise standout in RB pass protection drills. Stoned Kendricks and Hicks. Duce fired up.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 3, 2016
Marshall at this point appears to be a Jack of all trades..but will it be enough to earn him a spot on the roster? If it isn’t, he is going to have plenty of opportunities to prove that he has what it takes with the depth at RB taking a hit.
Undrafted receiver battle intensifies:
With Marcus Johnson currently out with injury, the WR position battle has taken yet another interesting turn. Capitalizing on this, is Arizona’s Cayleb Jones.
Cayleb Jones with best catch of day so far: one-handed diving catch of deep ball for TD.
— Nick Fierro (@NickFierro) August 3, 2016
Chase Daniel threw a deep ball to Jones who dived heroically to haul in a one handed grab. There are one or two spots up for grabs on the final roster at the WR position..both Jones and Johnson have legitimate chances of snagging them, but can Jones continue to sway the battle in his favor with Johnson sat on the sidelines?
Eric Rowe won’t stop:
I think someone may have annoyed the second year cornerback (I can’t think who or why..) but after a few weeks of constant criticism and ridiculous questions over his future, Rowe has been extremely impressive in Camp. With the pads back on, Rowe once again showed that he’s every bit as physical as the likes of Leodis McKelvin.
Eric Rowe came to practice today. Just came up and hit Rueben Randle on a quick pass.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 3, 2016
Eric Rowe beat TJ Graham up at the line just now. Put the pads on and the physicality shows up.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 3, 2016
Eric Rowe is not afraid to be physical. Took Randle to the ground after making a short catch. Has been hitting other players too. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 3, 2016
Yeah, Rowe isn’t going to go down with out a fight. If he can combine this new level of physicality with the “ball hawk” and coverage tendencies we saw last season, Rowe could develop into a great corner under Jim Schwartz. These last few sessions have seen big leaps for Eric Rowe.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Chris Szagola
