The Philadelphia Eagles rated Jalen Hurts’ skill at quarterback as worthy of a second-round pick in the NFL Draft on April 24. But as a breeding talent, he might have been valued as a developed rookie.
The former Alabama quarterback tried to sing Al Green’s “Love and Happiness” during the talent show staged by the Eagles’ rookies, and veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson shared part of the performance.
On the field, Hurts are trying to earn the spot as the backup to Carson Wentz in Philadelphia. But comments made by Eagles coach Doug Pederson on Friday during a performance on WIP-FM’s “Angelo Cataldi and the Morning Team” seemed to indicate that this would not happen – not because Hurts is not good enough, but because the NFL’s response to the corandavirus pandemic does not give it a chance.
Hurts did not come on the field with the Eagles coaches during the offseason program because the NFL limited their teams to online work. He also will not have the chance to show what he can do in preseason games because the NFL canceled the preseason schedule.
Philadelphia held its first full-speed practice of training camp this week, and with the season-opening game against Washington scheduled for Sept. 13, that leaves the Eagles not much time to get the starters ready, let alone a rookie evaluate quarterback for a backup role.
“It’s probably a little bit more difficult with the quarterback position, because with Carson and Nate (Sudfeld), make sure these two guys get the reps they need,” Pederson said. “You have to make sure Jalen is comfortable with the game book and understands what we are doing as a crime, so that the evaluation process takes a little longer with the quarterback. But we will do everything we can to make sure all our boys are ready. Jalen is no different. ”
JALEN HURTS DOESN’T PAY WHERE A GADGET PLAYER WITH EAGLES
Pederson said he was’ under the impression ‘of Hurts’ progress, but the coach indicated that Sudfeld’s experience in the Philadelphia offense gave him the No. 2 pick, given the shortened schedule.
Sudfeld entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft. He has played in just three games in the regular season and missed the 2019 season after suffering a broken wrist in a preseason game.
The Eagles should open their 2020 preseason schedule against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night. But under the pandemic schedule, Philadelphia will not have its first practice in pads until Monday.
“Next Monday we will start with our quilted part of the camp,” Pederson said, “and the way things are set up, we will have opportunities to evaluate these young players. But at the same time, we have made sure our starters are ready. to go again, because the first time we see another color jersey, it’s a real game and that counts and it matters. Yes, it’s a little harder, but we’ll let things get done. “
BY HARRY GILMER OF JALEN HURTS: THE 15 ALABAMA QUARTER BAKES BY THE NFL
At Alabama, Hurts played on teams that won two SEC championships and one CFP national championship and reached three straight national title games. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman for the Crimson Tide, Hurts was the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season at Oklahoma, when he led the Sooners to the Big 12 crown and a spot in the CFP as a transfer.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ AMarkG1.
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