Today marks the first full training session of Kampen of Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. It was a 10-10-10 session – you can click here to read more about what that means. Here is what I observed!
• So great to be back at the NovaCare Complex fields. The Eagles have a special media entry setup this year where we have to take our temperatures (via scan) before they are allowed. I passed the test, fortunately.
• CARSON WENTZ UPDATE: The Eagles’ franchise quarterback started camp strong. He beat Jalen Reagor in stride twice over the middle on sloping routes. He also looked sharp in the red zone with back-to-back touchdowns to Quez Watkins and another to Dallas Goedert. Wentz the almost singled out by Alex Singleton on a ball that he forced into tight cover, but the linebacker dropped it. In Wentz’s defense, it might have been up to him to throw the ball there to give the defense a look they wanted. Such a possibility exists in a practice format of 10-10-10.
• UPDATE OF EAGLES INJURY: Too long to explain here, but the short version is the Eagles are already dealing with two major defensive line injuries in Derek Barnett and Javon Hargrave. Read our update for more details.
• Miles Sanders kicked off my first day of Eagles training camp practice notes last year. This year it’s another catchy rookie that people are excited about: Jalen Reagor: The no. 21 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft came after a bad start by muffling two attempts of return without real coverage around him. But he certainly looked good on offense, where he mostly played with the staters. I have already mentioned the few sheds he caught from Wentz; it was good to see those two on the same page timing wise. Reagor also made a nice dive touchdown to the right of the end zone that calls up high fives from his teammate. The first impression is encouraging of a young player that the Eagles really count on this season.
• Reagor (X), DeSean Jackson (Z), and Greg Ward (slot) were the Eagles’ first team wide receivers. It was just Reagor and Jackson on the border when the Eagles went with two tight end sets. It will be interesting to see if Reagor is replaced by JJ Arcega-Whiteside as / when JJAW returns from his day-to-day injury.
• Reagor was not the only Jalen who had a good first day. Jalen Hurts made the most of his chances to work as a third-string quarterback. That called Hurts throw to Reagor for a catch of diving touchdown was placed where the receiver could make a play on it, but the defense had no chance. Hurts also dropped a cent to John Hightower in the sideline with Rasul Douglas beat in cover. Hurts is not ashamed to run on multiple reps. He has his fair share of imperfections, especially in the red zone. I think it’s safe to say he hasn’t shot Wentz off the runway yet.
• Didn’t notice a ton of notable things from Nate Sudfeld. Bunch of checkdowns, I think.
• The aforementioned Quez Watkins got free open in the middle of the end zone on his first touch zone of the red zone. He made enough separation on a short route for another score. Watkins, however, fell a Sudfeld pass over the middle. Overall, I enjoyed Watkins more than Hightower. Then again, the former is a more natural replacement for Jackson, who doesn’t really practice much.
• Defensive lineup: Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay were the first team cornerbacks. Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas were the second string boys and did not rotate with the starters. Nickell Robey-Coleman was the cornerback of the first team. Jalen Mills lay on safety and shadows tight ends in the old Malcolm Jenkins role. Will Parks was the third security up in three security packages. Nathan Gerry and TJ Edwards were the primary two linebackers.
• Matt Pryor was the referee of the first team, with Jason Peters not practicing. Jordan Mailata split what first team left tackle reps with Andre Dillard, as the report is reduced when he returns from an injury. The back-offensive line from left to right: Mailata, Sua Opeta, Luke Juriga (developed rookie-free agent), Nate Herbig, and Jack Driscoll (rookie). It piqued my interest to see Herbig on the right side of Lane Johnson in a six offensive linemen set up with the first team.
• Dallas Goedert made a truly impressive catch with one hand in the back of the end zone on a Wentz pass. That effort earned a high five from the starting quarterback. UPDATE – The Eagles posted video:
• Elijah Holyfield did some fun things in practice as he tried to push for third or fourth running place. He yelled at a defender during a drill for special teams and that deserved praise from Gerry. Holyfield also broke a great run-up against the defense where a few defenders detached from him.
• Corey Clement also broke a long run at one point against the defense of the first team. That play had pumped Boston Scott on the sidelines. Clement put a doll on Darius Slay while completing one run off the field.
• Shaun Bradley put a big hit on Goedert after the tight end made a short catch across the middle.
• Joe Ostman looked like a beast (shocker) during drills for special teams. He completely beat Shareef Miller on one rep, he deserves praise from his teammate and the coaching staff. The next play, Genard Avery failed to keep his block.
• Special Team Lineup Comments: Reagor and Greg Ward were the only two boys to return points. Parks trained as the Eagles’ personal protector; he could play an important role on special teams alongside defense. Rookie Davion Taylor was noted on the Eagles’ units for first-team special teams.
• Josh Perkins fell a throwdown from behind Sudfeld’s shoulder.
• Alshon Jeffery saw the practice of the sideline while wearing his jersey. At one point, he registered some stationary capture of an assistant. Doug Pederson said earlier today that there is still no timetable for his return.
• The Eagles’ special assistant general manager Connor Barwin intensely saw the practice and uttered expression on several occasions.
• New warming drill that went through the defensive lines:
Next: Another start time of 10:30 a.m. for the Eagles on Tuesday. Stay tuned to BGN, as always.
