Another day, another Eagles Training Camp Notebook. The team are preparing for their second game of the preseason and looking to get newcomers Ronald Darby, Keevan Lucas, and Rashard Davis up to speed as soon as possible. Here’s everything you need to know from todays action.
Injuries:
Several players who have suffered minor injuries returned to action today, with quarterback Nick Foles being among them. Joining him back on the field was Bryce Treggs, Brandon Brooks, Wendell Smallwood and Alshon Jeffery, who was a full participant for the first time since injuring his shoulder.
The following Eagles were still absent:
DT Fletcher Cox- back spasms, day-to-day
OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai- Knee, day-to-day
CB Ron Brooks- hamstring, day-to-day
TE Anthony Denham, calf, day-to-day
WR Paul Turner, shoulder, day-to-day
Safety storm:
It was all about the Safeties for Jim Schwartz today. The addition of Corey Graham may have provided a spark in the secondary to allow some more aggressive formations when in the nickel. Today saw a lot of blitzing by the Eagles safeties…something we were used to seeing a lot from Malcolm Jenkins last year.
Eagles OL is struggling to pick up safety blitz. They've come from the outside as well as inside. Keeps stopping the play.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
Schwartz sends Jenkins on the safety blitz. Forces rushed throw by Wentz and McLeod almost had the pick.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
It will be interesting to see how this carries over into the team’s second preseason game on Thursday Night, and whether or not the Defense gets creative with how they utilize a now extensive group of Safeties.
Wentz to Alshon connection:
With his number one receiving option now back in the fray, Wentz wasted no time taking advantage of Pederson’s discretion. Jeffery was back out with the Birds today but wanted to make up for some lost reps by spending time with his quarterback and fellow wideout, Nelson Agholor, after practice.
Carson Wentz after practice getting extra work in with Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor#Eagles🦅 pic.twitter.com/nBORK9odX9
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 14, 2017
Alshon just bobbled a pass, fell to the ground and caught it for a TD. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 14, 2017
Wentz and Alshon just connected in the corner of the end zone. Jeffery went up and got it. Was a double catch.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
It’s still unclear as to whether Jeffery will play on Thursday night, but the signs are definitely pointing towards a few offensive snaps for the former Chicago Bear.
Darby builds on debut:
It was an impressive debut yesterday for newly signed Ronald Darby, and today he hauled in his first interception as an Eagle.
Darby with a great INT in one-on-ones, which rarely every happens. Was all over Mack Hollins #eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 14, 2017
Darby showing that quickness. Just broke on a slant from Wentz to Torrey Smith to break up the pass.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
It’s extremely enticing to now see a sense of tenaciousness surge through the secondary. The production of Darby and injection of starting prowess is only going to boost the confidence of those around him, but at the same time it’s great to hear how quickly he’s adapting to the scheme and life in the City of Brotherly Love. It was only a few days ago he was practicing in Buffalo…so for Darby to hit the ground running is a huge positive for the Birds.
Redzone efficiency:
If there’s one area where the Eagles struggled all season long last year, it was when they were inside the opposing 20-yard line. This isn’t lost on the coaching staff however, who seemed to place a lot of attention on redzone situations today…just as they have throughout camp.
Eagles offense just ran a tempo play in the red zone to try to catch defense off guard. Schwartz's unit adjusted well and stopped them.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 14, 2017
Zach Ertz sneaks between two defenders and into the end zone, Wentz hits him with a perfect strike. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 14, 2017
Good red zone series for the offense, an area they have struggled with so far in camp #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 14, 2017
Wentz with two consecutive strikes in goal line for completions. Hit Torrey Smith and Ertz on slants.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
The Offense finally appears to be rolling inside the redzone, but will it carry over into the regular season?
Gibson on the rise:
It’s been a wobbly Training Camp for Shelton Gibson so far, but it looks as if the worst of the storm is behind him.
Shelton Gibson ran a really route to shake Rasul Douglas off him. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 14, 2017
Shelton Gibson with a pretty back-shoulder catch over Patrick Robinson from Wentz. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 14, 2017
Shelton Gibson has officially moved past his drops to start training camp. Catches everything #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 14, 2017
Shelton Gibson is redeeming himself after a slow start in camp. He's had three straight solid practices. Just caught a slant in team prd.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
There’s still a long way to go for the former WVU standout, but Gibson appears to be making the most of his opportunities after finally getting over a mental hurdle. The question now becomes, can Gibson do enough to secure his place on the final 53?
Secondary stands out:
There’s no doubting that today was the day of the Secondary. From Safety blitzing, to the continued production of Darby, and even the performances of the rest of the DB’s.
Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, and Aaron Grymes were standouts on 1 on 1s
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
Jenkins with the PBU vs Agholor on the slant. Talked some trash to him. McLeod came over and did too. Agholor was 2/3 vs Jenkins in 1 on 1s
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 14, 2017
Rasul Douglas with really nice defense against Marcus Johnson. Had one hand on his back, lept up and swatted pass away. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 14, 2017
There appears to be a certain swagger carrying throughout the unit which for fans is simply amazing to see. Rasul Douglas could be one player who benefits from the spotlight being diverted, but all of a sudden the secondary has become an area of interest as opposed to one of concern.
Clement’s climb:
Wendell Smallwood may have been making a bold statement recently, but Corey Clement isn’t going down without a fight.
Corey Clement just did what Corey Clement does. He lowered his shoulder and burst through the line of scrimmage for big run up middle.
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 14, 2017
Corey Clement seems to really have improved as a pass catcher and route runner #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 14, 2017
If Clement has improved in those areas as ESP mentions, it all comes down to how dominant he can be in preseason. Smallwood has now matched Clement on a physicality standpoint it seems, but do the Eagles want a pass-catcher or a backup for Blount? All will be decided soon…
