Eagles Training Camp Notebook: Fun in the sun sees Cox fielding punts?!

We’ve nearly reached the end of the second week of Eagles Training Camp and with the Sun shining over the NovaCare Complex, a 10/10/10 practice gave the Eagles a chance to breathe a little after a hard day’s hitting on Thursday. Here are the main takeaways from today’s action:

Injuries:
While LeGarrette Blount returned to practice today after being excused for personal reasons, Alshon Jeffery missed his fourth consecutive day. Nick Foles is still out with elbow soreness and Donnel Pumphrey’s hammy injury kept him sidelined. Joining the group today were Mychal Kendricks, Paul Turner, former Rugby standout Adam Zaruba, and Josh Andrews.

Terrence Brooks keeps his INT tally going:
One of the big standouts in the secondary this camp has been former Ravens DB, Terrence Brooks. With what feels like a week-long streak of practices containing interceptions, Brooks added yet another to his tally today.

Terrence Brooks broke on the ball at the last second. Picked off the Dane Evans pass on the seam route. No fault of Evans. Has to force it.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 4, 2017

At this stage, he may not be battling with Jaylen Watkins any longer after such a strong showing throughout. Corey Graham? Well, that’s a battle that could well start raging next week once he passes his physical…

Special teams:
When asked about the future of the linebacker depth recently, Jim Schwartz mentioned that special teams is going to play a huge factor in deciding those spots. “KGH” played in 42% of the team’s special teams snaps last year…and if Training Camp is any indication, he could well be on his way to replicate that.

Kamu Grugier-Hill drawing praise from ST coach Dave Fip during kick coverage work

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 4, 2017

The former Pats linebacker has been a strong special teams contributor since joining the City of Brotherly Love, so it will be interesting to see where he lands in the final 53-man roster and whether the team would prioritize that kind of contribution over a smaller % of snaps on Defense.

Gordon’s role expanding?
We spoke yesterday about how former LSU TE-turned Offensive Lineman, Dillon Gordon, has been taking reps at fullback. Today, he saw even more action, with the team even throwing to him in a regular situation outside of the red-zone.

The Eagles had Dillon Gordon line up at FB in a non-red zone situation and then threw to him. Interesting. #Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 4, 2017

Although he was a run-blocking TE at LSU, his soft hands have always drawn praise. Have the Eagles finally found an answer at fullback?

Gibson bounces back:
Today appeared to start off routinely for wideout Shelton Gibson…until he bounced straight back with an emphatic catch along the sideline.

Gibson just made a tough catch along the sideline. Not sure if he stayed in but I'll give it to him. #Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 4, 2017

After a tough two weeks, it’s going to take a few more flashes to turn his fortunes around, but the initial signs are encouraging at least.

Super Sturgis wasn’t so super:
Sturgis may have had a career year for the Eagles in 2016, but when the pressure cooker was on in practice today, he couldn’t follow through. In what was the most pressure Sturgis has ever faced, with a shorter practice lying in his shoulders…the Eagles kicker was wide of the mark.

Pederson may have told team practice is over if Sturgis makes 54 yard FG. With players crowding him, hits upright. 2nd crack, wide right

— Ed Kracz (@kracze) August 4, 2017

We’re only playing here, but it’s great to see the Eagles have a light-hearted practice at the end of the week. But it didn’t end there…

The Eagles absolutely have a new punt returner….

This happened.

If Fletcher Cox fielding punts, players obviously got something out of the deal… #Eagles pic.twitter.com/ugYaJWA2d9

— Matt Lombardo ? (@MattLombardoNFL) August 4, 2017

Pederson says that the reward for Jason Peters, Fletcher Cox catching punts is between him and the team… ?#Eagles pic.twitter.com/jVTjiKps4K

— Matt Lombardo ? (@MattLombardoNFL) August 4, 2017

Yep. This. Happened. Fletcher Cox and Jason Peters fielded punts for what Pederson called “a friendly wager.” In fact, Cox was so impressed at his new skill that he requested his position on the Eagles roster to be changed to “Athlete.”…so the team did so.