Another day, another Eagles practice. The birds completed another day of their Training camp program today in a very different circumstance to yesterday’s, but it was just as interesting. Here are ten takeaways from todays practice.
Injury report:
Ryan Mathews and Brandon Brooks were back in full capacity today having fully recovered from their injuries suffered before the start of Training camp. Meanwhile, Marcus Smith and Jordan Matthews were both absent following their injuries sustained in yesterday’s practice.
Jason Peters and Malcolm Jenkins were both absent today, dealing with injuries sustained earlier this week. Malcolm’s Safety Tandem partner Rodney McLeod missed practice due to family reasons.
Zach Ertz returned to practice after a worryingly low hit from Blake Countess ended his practice early on Friday, as did Nolan Carroll after sitting out yesterday.
Running back Wendell Smallwood is still recovering from his quad injury and also sat out today’s practice. He was joined lastly by Marcus Johnson who has missed the last week of Training camp with an injury.
10-10-10:
After an intense three days of hard hitting padded practices, the Eagles reverted back to the 10-10-10 format. For those unsure of what the format entails, here’s a description from one of our previous articles:
The idea was used by Andy Reid during his long tenure as Head Coach of the Eagles but it has even more of a purpose under Doug Pederson. The format for the day will first see ten Offensive plays that are designed to succeed. The Defense won’t be going 100% to ensure that while coverages and scenarios are similar to what you’d see in a full scrimmage, the Offense has more chance of making the play.
After this, ten Defensive plays will take the forefront. The Offense won’t be firing on all cylinders which allows the Defense to execute the play as Schwartz intended and attain the desired result. When Linemen are a little complacent in blocking or a running back is maybe slower in his route, the Defense can read the play better and learn how to efficiently execute a play at a slower pace before speeding things up as camp progresses.
To round out the cycle, the Eagles will complete ten minutes of special teams plays and concepts, with the same idea at the forefront of each drill.
Gettin Tricky:
We know that Doug Pederson’s Offense is a box full of surprises and that we’re going to se plenty of new looks and formations over the coming season..but Chase Daniel receiving for a touchdown was something not even the more adventurous among us would have predicted.
Rueben Randle just threw a TD pass to Chase Daniel. You read that correctly. Nice throw. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 6, 2016
#Eagles run double reverse from 10 in 7-on-7. Barner runs left, flips ball to Randle coming back right who hits open Daniel for TD.
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) August 6, 2016
It may have been in a more relaxed environment, but everyone loves trick plays..and this kind of confidence can only be applauded.
CB lineup:
This is an interesting observation. Carroll and McKelvin have appeared to switch sides during today’s practice. Again, this may not hold much substance due to the nature of the practice..but it’s interesting to see Schwartz moving guys around to see what works best and who’s the best fit at each spot.
It might just be a 10/10/10 look, but it is noteworthy that Nolan Carroll is on the left side, McKelvin at right CB. Reverse from spring.
— Matt Lombardo š (@MattLombardoNFL) August 6, 2016
We know that the rotation at the depth CB positions has been cyclic, but to see Schwartz now rotating the starters around more often is interesting considering pre-season is just over a week away. We may even begin to see a few backups mixing it up with the first team between now and Thursday, as Eric Rowe has done recently.
Athletic day for Wentz:
Athleticism seemed to be theme of the day for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who continued to show just how impressive he can be when throwing on the move and airing it out deep.
Wentz showing the ability to throw in the move. Rolled to his right and threaded a pass to Paul Turner in the back of the end zone.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 6, 2016
Wentzy with a nice throw to Cedric OāNeal on the wheel route. Dropped it right in the bucket. Skinner trailed in coverage. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 6, 2016
Eagles ran a designed run for Wentz. He looks good running the ball, pretty fast.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 6, 2016
Mobility is clearly one of Wentz’s strong points, so the decision to let him flourish in plays designed to exploit that strength in a 10-10-10 is an easy choice to make, but an important one. It will be interesting to see how his snaps vary in pre-season. Will the Eagles give him more play-action looks and shots to air it out deep than Bradford? We’ll have an article coming up shortly evaluating just what to expect from each of the QB’s in pre-season..but it’s going to be fun to keep an eye on.
Trey Burton can’t stop impressing:
He’s earned praise from coaches, fans, analysts..and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Trey Burton has easily been one of the Training camp standouts and will likely play a huge part in the team’s pre-season efforts.
Trey Burton with a diving catch in the end zone.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 6, 2016
Having been behind a Burton breakout since before OTA’s and starting the hype train months in advance, confident he could contribute as a flex WR, it’s great to see him continuously turning heads and earning praise from just about everyone at Camp.
New face on special teams?:
The Eagles signed WR Deon Long last night, an undrafted rookie a year ago and a former teammate of Stefon Diggs and a receiver who has slipped through the ranks of the draft and several NFL teams. However, Long comes with a very high upside..and an impressive record as a kick returner, recording 425 return yards and two touchdowns at the Collegiate level. . The Eagles were quick to recognize this it seems:
New Eagles WR Deon Long drawing praise from special teams coach during coverage drills as an arrow man for punt team.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 6, 2016
Is there a way that the newly signed receiver makes it onto the final 53-man roster? There’s a chance..but it’s a slim one. Long will have to prove how explosive he can really be if he has a shot to land above the likes of Josh Huff, Cayleb Jones or Hunter Sharp.
Back in line:
Brandon Brooks finally returned to the first team today along with Ryan Mathews after the two missed all of the Training camp practices with injuries sustained before they started.
Ryan Mathews and Brandon Brooks working with first team in team period.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 6, 2016
It’s great to see that they’re healthy and back running with the first team considering that the first pre-season game is just under a week away.
Huff and Puff:
Josh Huff hasn’t exactly had the most stellar camp so far, but that doesn’t mean that the Eagles have given up on him.
Huff lining up in back field more, running routes as #Eagles try to find ways to get him in space with ball, without getting jammed on line
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) August 6, 2016
The team are still looking for ways to get the ball in Huff’s hands, just as they did yesterday. He’s had problems with drops that stem back as far as Spring, could this be a way for the Eagles to try and eradicate the problem?
Bradford ready to attack 2016:
Without having to worry about rehabbing his knee, Sam Bradford has enjoyed a much stronger camp than he did in 2015. Not to mention his new found favorite target in Chris Givens.
Chris Givens just got behind secondary to run down a Bradford pass on an arrow route.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 6, 2016
Such a difference with Bradford this summer vs. last summer. He moves the pocket so much better. Healthier knee a big difference.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 6, 2016
Again, it may only be 10-10-10 practice, but Bradford showing consistent sharpness and finding an old friend in Chris Givens on deep routes can only be encouraging for the Eagles. Confidence is key at quarterback..and it’s great to see a man who last year was described as “a deer in headlights” have plenty of it.
Mandatory credit: AP/ Chris Szagola
