It’s hard to predict what the Eagles‘ offense will look like after only five days of training camp. New coordinator Kellen Moore seems to be introducing a system predicated on motion, with reports of star receiver DeVonta Smith seeing a lot of snaps in the slot. Watch out.
According to A.J. Brown, Smith has been the standout player at early practices. Brown recently called his star teammate an unstoppable force, adding that cornerbacks are finding it very hard to lock Smith down.
“Nobody’s been able to cover DeVonta all camp,” Brown told reporters on August 1. “He’s having an amazing camp. I’m expecting Smitty to take another jump because he definitely has all the tools. And, for me, sitting on the side watching him, I know how hard he works. So, he makes everybody around him better, so that’s what we want.”
Brown was quick to credit Jalen Hurts for leading the offense and keeping everyone on task. By all accounts, the franchise quarterback is having the best camp of his five-year career and the guys catching his pristine passes are expecting to put up a lot of points in 2024.
“We’re executing and we’re going to continue to try to keep that going,” Brown said. “I know we’re a long way from now and a there’s a lot of stuff we got to continue to work on. We haven’t arrived or nothing like that — it’s just been five days of practice — so we’re not hooping and hooraying about what’s going on. But, I can definitely say we feel like we’re headed in the right direction and we’re challenging each other and we’re competing, and that’s all we can ask for as a group.”
Meanwhile, there has been much talk about the growing beef between Brown and first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell. There was one particular play — a spectacular one-handed grab by a leaping Brown over Mitchell in tight coverage — that was going viral earlier this week.
“I’m just picking a fight with him to make practice very interesting,” Brown said. “He’s not fazed.”
Mitchell claimed Brown was out of bounds, prompting a noticeable stare down from the rookie followed by mutual trash talking. It’s all in good fun, according to Brown who relishes getting under people’s skins.
“He hasn’t backed down one time,” Brown said of Mitchell. “And, also, for me, it makes practice very interesting. You know, when somebody is over there tripping, it gets me going because these days are long, these days are hard, and you just don’t want to just go through practice, like catch a ball or whatever. No, you want some one competitive on the other side, too.”
Extra Eagles quotes
A.J. Brown on His Relationship with Quinyon Mitchell: “I think I’m building a relationship with him because I don’t think he’s soft spoken anymore. Me and his relationship, it’s a lot of going back and forth. But I think just seeing him outside of football, he’s quiet, he’s just kind of to himself and that’s not a bad thing.”
A.J. Brown on CB Isaiah Rodgers: “He’s been doing a really good job for a guy who hasn’t played football in over a year. He looked like he hasn’t missed a beat. He’s challenging me every time I go against him. When I watch him on film you can tell he just loves the game. You can tell he misses the game, too. And he’s hungry … He’s going to be a huge piece for us, gives us some energy on the backend.”
Farewell Tour for Eagles Legend Brandon Graham
Brandon Graham seemed to linger on the field a little longer after Thursday night’s open practice at the Linc. He signed autographs and shook people’s hands. He took pictures and posed for selfies. And his trademark smile never left his face. Graham has decided that the 2024 campaign will be his final one in a football uniform, allowing a bit of nostalgia to creep in during what everyone is calling his farewell tour.
“I ain’t going to be so quick to run off the field when it’s over,” Graham told reporters. “Pretty much sign up, go along the line, just enjoy these moments, man. Try and get to record some stuff while we’re doing it, just for the memories.”
Before he exits stage left, Graham wants to teach the younger pass rushers how to be professionals. It’s his mission to make sure guys like Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Jalyx Hunt, and Jordan Davis are ready to anchor the defense for the foreseeable future.
Graham said: “I’m passing the torch to these boys and they got to be the ones when we come back saying, ‘I remember everything you taught me and we learned this and we learned that,’ and I’m just happy these boys are just building that confidence together.”
Graham expressed great optimism about this year’s defense under new coordinator Vic Fangio. He can’t wait to see the entire unit, anchored by a slew of 23-year-olds in the trenches, line up and smash heads. The 36-year-old also diffused the bomb about his controversial quote where Graham claimed that “we didn’t have all the right coaches in the right position.” In addition to Fangio, the Eagles added Clint Hurtt as their new defensive line coach.
“Well, you know, we ain’t thinking about the past no more,” Graham said. “I know Vic. I’m hyped because is out there looking good, on the same page, and we’re all just excited for what’s to come because we got a bunch of good players. The way we’re working together, the way we’re playing together right now, everybody is excited to see it all in action when that time comes. If it’s the first preseason game or the second, I don’t know how they’re doing it, but it’s going to be good when we all line up together and we go out there and we start the battles together.”
Eagles legend Brandon Graham opens up on the next generation
Brandon Graham on Nolan Smith: “I know he’s an open book, somebody that definitely wants to know it all and know all he can to help him in the games. And so, for me, it’s cool that we’re out there together when we’re doing our reps with the twos, and I try to give them everything I got. Shoot, if anything, sometimes, when I’m not on my game, he’ll be like, ‘Hey BG, you remember that you got this, remember you got that’ and it’s like, ‘Okay, yeah, man, because I appreciate it.'”
Brandon Graham on Jalyx Hunt: Man, Jalyx look real good. I can definitely see what Howie and them seeing in him, to take him in the third round. And I think for him it’s just all about taking the pressure off and just being Jalyx. Being you every day, knowing that you’re going to have expectations, but you got expectations for yourself, I’m sure. So let’s make sure that you just working towards that one day at a time and, like I say, earmuffs. You gotta block out the noise.”
Brandon Graham on Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis: “And I think Jordan Davis is going to prove why he was the first-round pick two years ago. And then of course JC, I’m excited for him, too, because going from year one to year two you can just see how much the fire burn in him to know that he can get so much better and he can be a terror of this league, you know him and Jordan … it’s all lip service right now, we gotta go out and do it.”
Lane Johnson Hoping Eagles Name Starting Right Guard Soon
The unexpected injury to Tyler Steen has opened up a Pandora’s box at right guard. Steen, a third-round pick in 2023, was the presumptive starter heading into camp but a twisted ankle has put the offensive line in disarray. Newcomer Mekhi Becton has been running with the ones, and the 6-foot-7, 363-pounder has wowed as he transitions from tackle to guard.
“I think he’s all in. There’s certain plays that really pop off the film with some of the stuff he can do, his attributes, but for him it’s all about being comfortable,” right tackle Lane Johnson said of Becton. “I think with the new offense it’s all about communication up front, so as long as he’s knowing his assignment and we’re communicating back and forth and really all across the line of scrimmage — and we have as few mental errors as we can, and really glue on blocks, then I think we’ll be fine. He’s definitely come a long way since the spring and I’ve been impressed with him.”
It’s an unsettled situation at right guard, one that Johnson helps gets sorted out in a few weeks. How quickly do the Eagles need to make a decision?
“I’d like to know before Week 1,” Johnson said.
Extra Eagles quotes
Lane Johnson on Nolan Smith: “Nolan’s came in, obviously, a few pounds bigger than what he was last year, so he brings that physicality to an even greater degree this year. And I think the thing that pops off with Nolan is just his effort every play. He’s constantly chasing down guys from behind making big effort plays that few guys will make so you can always win with guys like that.”
Lane Johnson on Saquon Barkley: “I think he has the ability to run people over when he wants to, and, obviously, you’ve seen some stuff — his elusiveness, and how he can change on a dime. But, yeah, there’s times when he can lower his head, and you can get some flashbacks for sure.”
Lane Johnson on Bryce Huff: “Extremely explosive. I think his change of direction, get off the line speed is one of the best in the league.”
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
