On Wednesday, the Eagles held another OTA session and after the practice outside, a handful of players took the podium to chat with the media including Nolan Smith, Adoree Jackson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Kelee Ringo. Here’s what they had to say.
Nolan Smith emotional talking about BG
Nolan Smith opened up quite a bit regarding his relationship with the now retired Eagles’ legend Brandon Graham and what he has meant to the young linebacker in handling the high expectations that came with Smith’s draft position when he was selected by Philadelphia as a first round pick in 2023.
“It was a learning year and truly shoutout to BG. You are about to make me cry up here. BG gave me so much just from outside world putting so much pressure on me. You’re a first round pick, you need to do this you need to do that. BG just told me “Be you.” To this point that’s what I have in my mirror. “Be You”. Nobody can make you be you other than yourself. That’s why I work so hard. It’s not for me. It’s for B when he was doubted when he first got here and so was I.”
Smith added that he is planning to honor Graham when he gets his first sack of the season.
“As we say in the South, he just kept pouring more in my glass. I have my first sack dance already in my head.”
Smith, rehabbing his way back from his torn triceps he suffered in the Super Bowl victory said that all is going well with the process and has a positive mindset on the injury.
“I’m in a great spot. I feel great. Still using my arms, still pressing hope to be striking next week. Everything falling in line. If I wasn’t in the Super Bowl I wouldn’t tore my triceps,” Smith said smiling. “So, I take that as a blessing. Football gods have funny way.”
The 24-year-old said that he thinks dealing with the adversity will only make him a better player and person.
“My momma always told me adversity builds you. It builds your character. You ask God to make you a charactable man he’s going to give adversity in your life to be that person.”
Adoree’ Jackson enjoying new scenery
One of the new additions to the roster signing a one-year, $1.75 million contract, Jackon brings a wealth of knowledge to the cornerback’s room entering his ninth season in the NFL after being drafted by Tennessee in 2017 and spending four seasons with the Titans before joining the Giants for the last four years. The newcomer has been impressed with how welcoming everyone within the organization has been.
“It’s been fun being here. Knowing Nick for a while when I was with Tennessee and he was with Indianapolis and then him coming here to the Eagles and playing against him a bunch more. Being here and around him and a lot of great guys, not just him, but the people from upstairs to the people handing you waters. They do a tremendous job making you feel welcome. It’s been a great journey to be with here.”
Jackson who is in a starting position battle for the second corner spot opposite of Quinyon Mitchell said that his mindset is always in battle mode.
“I feel like I’m always in competition regardless of if I’m starting or not. The guys behind me are trying to take my spot and they are looking to do a good job and I’m not performing it doesn’t do me any justice. I’m always competing.“
The veteran has been impressed with Kelee Ringo, who is competing with Jackson for that starting role and called Ringo a “freak of nature” when referring to his athleticism and size.
Kelee Ringo looking to seize opportunity
It will be a battle that progresses through training camp and into the preseason games, but Ringo is looking to take the experience he had last season being a sponge and soaking up the knowledge from the veterans who are now no longer with the team to his advantage.
“Those guys have definitely paved the way for me. Whether is Avonte (Maddox) from the inside or (Darius) Slay, I learned so much from Avonte on the inside. The league is full of opportunities and having guys around you consistently and seeing what it looks like, continue to grow and find those things in your game and take advantage of those opportunities when they do come.”
At just 22-years-old, Ringo is still young enough to learn and improve while learning how to control is bigger frame for a cornerback at 6’2, 207 pounds.
“Specifically, my feet. Being able to channel my weight and transition myself. Being a bigger guy on the outside being able to control my speed at the same time with my weight out of my transition and trusting that. Coming out of leverage.“
Ringo has appeared in 34 games since being drafted in the fourth-round out of Georgia in the 2023 draft. He has 36 total tackles with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception to go along with three pass breakups.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. staying ready
The son of one of the best linebackers in franchise history, Trotter Jr. was able to get his feet wet with some playing time due to injuries to teammates ahead of him on the depth chart. Now the second-year Clemson product feels like he has more of a plan to be more successful this season.
“Getting into routine as far as game week. My daily routine in the weight room, pre practice stuff, getting here early in the morning. Getting consistent with that translates on to the field.”
He said that learning a new system under Fangio to now being more comfortable with the defensive scheme and watching his other teammates can be a big difference for him in 2025.
“Having whole year under my belt watching Zack (Baun), Nakobe (Dean) Oren (Burks) and watching them play the game and play different techniques, it has really helped me and develop in the scheme.”
His dad, known for his animated style of play and axe celebration, the younger Trotter said he was waiting for the right time to break it out and waited until the biggest game of the year to showcase it.
“I feel like I was saving it for the right moment. Guys knew I did it in college and my dad did it when he played for the Eagles. The whole season and in the game against the Giants I made some plays and I didn’t do it they asked why? I said I don’t know just have to have a feeling for it. I made that tackle on special teams in the Super Bowl and felt that was the right time to do it and everyone got hyped. I guess everyone was waiting for it.”
Trotter Jr. will look to bust out the fan favorite celebration more in his second year as he looks to carve out a larger role with the team this season.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
