Excitement overflowed the Greater Philadelphia area on a beautiful Wednesday morning, setting the scene for the first day of Eagles Training Camp at the NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia. The defending Super Bowl Champions are beginning their title defense and both General Manager Howie Roseman and Head Coach Nick Sirianni share that same excited feeling when looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Howie Staying Ahead of the Curve
The offense is stacked and Roseman ensured to lock up some of his key offensive pieces this offseason in Cam Jurgens (4-year, $68 million), Jordan Mailata (3-year, $66 million) while extending Saquon Barkley (two-year, $41.2 million) on top of his three-year deal he signed at $37.75 million.
“When you look at how we are built, offensively a lot of guys in prime of careers coming up on free agency so we extended them. We look at our resources whether it’s draft picks or money and it’s all kind of in the same boat. If you’re taking guys in the first round, that’s the same to us as paying big money on their contracts,” Roseman said ahead of the team’s first training camp practice.
All Eyes on Young Defense
The Eagles had one of the best defense in all of football last season thanks to a nucleus of young players stepping up in big ways, including the standout campaigns put together by rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.
Now, infusing young players, even the rookies in this year’s draft class seems like it could be the blueprint for the defense moving forward according to Roseman and Sirianni.
“We still have a lot of resources on defensive side, a lot of young players, a group that have played together which is exciting and great opportunity for them,” Roseman said.
Sirianni added: “I’m just excited to work with that group. We played young guys last year. We will play the guys that will help us win football games. We are in the business of winning football games. The best guys that help win us win football games will be out there. Young, old, middle it doesn’t matter. You have young guys competing against veterans.”
The defensive unit only has three players over the age of 25, but Roseman believes that although the unit is young in terms of age, they have experience already playing together and succeeding.
“A lot of these guys when you are looking down the defensive roster, they have continuity whether playing together last year or in college. They have chemistry. So, from that perspective there is some experience together,” Roseman said.
Jihaad Campbell Out on the Field
One of the biggest surprises to start the day was when Roseman announced that Campbell was participating in the practices, albeit on a snap count. Nonetheless, it is a great sign for the Eagles and the first rounder out of Alabama.
“He looked liked he had a great summer and excited to have him out there working,” Sirianni mentioned on his newest linebacker. “Anytime you’re able to step out on the field is huge.”
Sirianni also mentioned that he is excited about the linebacker group and what they have while waiting for Nakobe Dean who was designated to the PUP List as he works his way back from his injury.
“I’m excited about entire room,” Sirianni said. “Really excited about that room with guys “We have guys that are back for a second or third year along with some young guys I’m excited to see as well. I know Bobby King and Ronnell [Williams] will do a great job. Linebacker position is Vic’s specialty and he will have his hands all over it as well.”
Poised for Greatness
The Eagles have one of the best rosters from top to bottom in the NFL and that’s a big credit to Roseman, the scouting department and Jeffrey Lurie. The team has an impressive blend of young talent with experienced veterans that are still in the prime of their careers and it is a window Roseman plans to keep open for as long as possible.
“We have to keep getting better. No matter how much you love the players and staff, we have to do whatever it takes to put our best foot forward,” Roseman said. “Those are hard decisions and hard conversations. They aren’t fun, but at end of the day, we have a responsibility to get better as a team. There’s no resting on our laurels and sometimes that means making changes.”
Roseman continued, “Looking back at 2018 there were a lot of lessons. We didn’t start incredibly hot, finished really well, had opportunity in second round of playoffs. Look forward from that and what happened in ’19 and ’20 and we are positioned to compete not only this year but also moving forward.”
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