After a well deserved day of rest, the Philadelphia Eagles returned to the Linc for their second and final open practice. While the first practice was filled with fans, the second practice saw the attendance spike well over 30,000. So who shined under the watchful eyes of the Eagles die-hards? Here's everything you need to know.
Injuries:
It was back to normal for the Eagles today. Alshon Jeffery returned to practice after missing four days with a shoulder injury, while Donnel Pumphrey, Mychal Kendricks both returned. Only Nick Foles and Paul Turner of those who have previously missed time were still sidelined.
Gibson's confidence:
It's been a rollercoaster camp so far for Shelton Gibson, but the West Virginia standout finally found his stride today...something that is sure to act as a much needed confidence boost.
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/894212281516556290
https://twitter.com/EagleSessions/status/894213010767716353
It's great to see Gibson dialed in after a wobbly start to the Summer...but with pre-season approaching, this couldn't be happening at a better time. The pressure cooker is on...but can Gibson turn it up?
Graham's first practice:
Former Bills Safety Corey Graham made his practice debut on a big stage. Graham donned the number 36 on his back as he practiced in front of that many thousand fans with his new team. Graham also enjoyed a solid start.
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/894211293900615681
It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use Graham, especially moving into pre-season and beyond. But more notably, if he is going to be used as a Safety, what does this mean for Terrence Brooks who has had an exceptional camp thus far?
Four tight ends on the roster? It's possible
The Eagles have done it before in 2014...and they may find themselves doing it again. It's easy to pencil Billy Brown as a practice squad candidate, but when he's continuing to catch everything thrown his way, it's hard to overlook.
https://twitter.com/MattLombardoPHL/status/894223159360192516
https://twitter.com/GeoffMosherNFL/status/894226316723138560
As himself and Burton continue to shine, the idea of keeping all four on the roster could be becoming a more appealing option for Pederson. If Burton's offensive role is to continue growing, having a backup in place isn't the worst idea ever...and Brown has done nothing but impress since suiting up in midnight green this summer.
Progress is a process:
The Eagles signed former Colts cornerback Tay Glover-Wright last week and it hasn't taken long for him to begin making an impression.
https://twitter.com/GeoffMosherNFL/status/894224146846150658
In a scenario like this, taking the positive is key. As noted in a great story by Turron Davenport, TGW's road to Philadelphia was anything but smooth...so naturally there are going to be teething problems. But seeing Glover-Wright come in and get right in the thick of things straight away is definitely a promising sign.
Do Jeremiah's comments hold weight?
By now we've ALL heard of the comments made by Daniel Jeremiah. A former NFL Scout and current NFL Network analyst, Jeremiah explained on the "Move the Sticks" podcast how Agholor may be taking the slot spotlight from Jordan Matthews. There are few people in the industry more connected to the Eagles than Jeremiah so his comments are certainly worth listening to. Today, we saw a sign that may point toward their accuracy.
https://twitter.com/GeoffMosherNFL/status/894223893736697860
Nelson Agholor has seen his fair share of slot reps during Matthews' OTA absence and some of that has bled over into Training Camp upon JMatt's return. Is there a competition in the slot? Potentially. But this is shaping up for a pre-season like no other...
Wentz puts on a clinic:
The last time Wentz graced Lincoln Financial Field for an open practice, he stole the show. Today, he rebranded it "The Carson Wentz show".
https://twitter.com/JimmyKempski/status/894218828502241282
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/894211525384306688
https://twitter.com/GeoffMosherNFL/status/894223133997191168
It's safe to say that the consistency of reporting from the moment OTA's opened have pointed towards a big step forward for Carson Wentz heading into year two...and that alone may be the most exciting thing for an Eagles fan to hear.
Douglas's development:
The Eagles double-dipped at cornerback during this year's draft, selecting Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas back-to-back. The lengthy WVU DB has has an offseason of learning and progression and today appeared to embody that.
https://twitter.com/EliotShorrParks/status/894210527647367169
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/894210491425402881
https://twitter.com/GeoffMosherNFL/status/894219402022932480
Some impressive flashes followed by some mistakes that are naturally going to present themselves to any rookie. The ceiling that Douglas possesses remains high, especially if he can win the outside starting job alongside Jalen Mills. To do that, he will need to beat out Patrick Robinson however...a battle that will open up when the Eagles face Green Bay.
Magnitude:
I know this one isn't entirely player related, but this showcases why Eagles fans are the best in all of sports. FOR AN OPEN PRACTICE, THE EAGLES ESTIMATED OVER 36,000 FANS PACKED THE LINC.
https://twitter.com/LiamJenkins21/status/894222944490192897
That. Is. Crazy. People can say what they want about the fans in the City of Brotherly Love, but they'll be making too much noise packing their stadium to scream the fight song at the top of their lungs to give a damn.
You be the judge:
And finally, one of the Eagles most renowned fan personalities and host of the 4th&Jawn podcast, The Mighty Erock caught some great footage of the Eagles WR vs DB drills today. As opposed to me breaking it down, I'll allow you to watch the video and make your own judgement.
https://twitter.com/TheMightyEROCK/status/894214277644595200
If THAT wasn't enough, the Eagles actually livestreamed the entire practice today, meaning that you can go back and either watch it all if you missed it, or relive the best moments if you were there!
https://www.facebook.com/philadelphiaeagles/videos/1475175669186868/?hc_ref=ARQY0KTziTfNgj7pL8tnDhzLTcxMsZLFTw768yp0CjmkXFV6V3F3s439RPdn9ytJnJc
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
