The first padded practice of Eagles Training camp is in the books and it could not have been more eventful. The practice lasted nearly three hours in length and saw arguably the most intense, yet exciting practice of Training Camp so far if we're to go by reports. Here are ten takeaways from today's practice.
Injury update:
Brandon Brooks and Ryan Mathews were still absent from practice..but they may be joined by a few more players on the sidelines tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/759409264989507584
Also, Ron Brooks was carted off of the field with cramps but will likely be back in action tomorrow. The most notable injury here is Nolan Carroll. Carroll had his 2015 season cut short by a broken ankle, we're currently unsure if it is the same ankle that he's injured..but even so, it's slightly concerning to see. I posted an article recently on how many cornerbacks suffer injuries on Jim Schwartz and what it means for the Eagles. Unfortunately for the birds, it looks like I may be right.
The return of the drops:
We know that the undrafted rookies struggled with drops at the start of training camp, but it appears as though the bug is still a very prominent flaw in the Eagles Offense...
https://twitter.com/EliotShorrParks/status/759382067352375297
https://twitter.com/kracze/status/759369457198329856
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/759381551943716864
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759387871170224132
Not exactly the most encouraging series of tweets to read. The drops came from all angles and all quarterbacks appeared to be plagued by them. It remains to be seen if this will improve as camp progresses, but it's certainly a concern moving forward.
Wentz has a varied day:
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/759404070700478464
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759380406030458880
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759393577734668288
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/759390299609305089
https://twitter.com/DZangaroCSN/status/759372221907435520
https://twitter.com/Mfranknfl/status/759370715468554240
Today was the rookie's first ever NFL practice in pads, which meant that he was naturally going to see a slightly steeper learning curve. Wentz seemed to be just as confident as he has all camp if we're to go by what reports are saying..which is a very encouraging sign. Wentz continues to flash the brilliance we all see in him..it now becomes a case of making those flashes permanent.
Reuben Randle shined..:
...before he left early with an injury. The former Giants receiver isn't taking Training camp lightly and by all accounts made a very heavy impression in his first padded practice with the Eagles.
https://twitter.com/RoobCSN/status/759375118669930496
https://twitter.com/GarryCobb/status/759385413689733120
https://twitter.com/ZBerm/status/759376182521565184
The Eagles need a solid pair of hands and a player who can reach over defensive backs and make those tough catches..the early signs are pointing to Randle potentially becoming that guy.
Marcus Smith looks good..but stay calm:
A few people predicted a big Camp for DE Marcus Smith simply because..well, he needs to have one. Luckily for the Eagles, the early signs are promising.
https://twitter.com/Jeff_McLane/status/759383238322290688
https://twitter.com/kracze/status/759391182854115328
As Jeff McLane mentioned..it's not like he's beating elite competition just yet..but he's a natural "hand in the dirt" pass rusher as we mentioned on our podcast last night. To see that the natural tenacity and pass-rushing ability hasn't entirely disappeared leaves us some hope his flame can be re-ignited.
Burton Burton Burton Burton:
Who would have ever guessed that Eagles third string TE Trey Burton would have yet another impressive outing..?
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759380406030458880
https://twitter.com/GarryCobb/status/759392758792646656
https://twitter.com/JoshPaunil/status/759380359821791232
https://twitter.com/JimmyKempski/status/759392630161674240
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759392931891580931
I mean..HOW MANY MORE ARTICLES DO I NEED TO WRITE REGARDING THE EVER SO OBVIOUS DECISION TO MOVE HIM OUTSIDE?! I've been preaching it since before minicamp, I've written countless articles explaining why..and yet I seem to be the only person who can put 2 and 2 together. Anyway, it's fantastic to see Burton having a big day out there..I really believe he can be a huge part of this Offense moving forward.
Even if he doesn't move outside, the Chiefs used plenty of 3-TE sets under Pederson's control..and with Frank Reich being so hot on him, we could see more of the same in Philly.
Huff struggles massively:
It's not really surprising, but Josh Huff just can't seem to find his stride. He struggled with drops through OTA's and he's struggling again at Training camp.
https://twitter.com/MylesNFL/status/759394124932022273
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/759382089716396032
https://twitter.com/kracze/status/759381992324620289
https://twitter.com/Mfranknfl/status/759382737933434880
Huff may have had brief moments of the explosiveness people use for a reason to keep him in the same way they used Riley Cooper's blocking, but he needs to simply step up in the practices to come or he could be facing a very uncertain future.
Jalen Mills looked good again..but has a lot to learn:
Mills may have attacked his first padded session with the same swagger in which he ended Friday's practice, but the Eagles aren't going to go easy on him just because he's impressing.
https://twitter.com/JimmyKempski/status/759383360149921792
https://twitter.com/Jeff_McLane/status/759391849513615361
Mills reportedly watched on as a receiver ran down the sideline with the ball after he slipped and missed the tackle. This really didn't sit well with Cory Undlin who seems keen to push Mills as hard as he can in order to mould him into the best corner possible.
Eric Rowe intent on making a statement:
Rowe began to re-assert himself in the starting CB picture yesterday and continued to do so when he put the pads on.
https://twitter.com/BobGrotz/status/759393968853544961
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/759374962176163840
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759374966173405184
He isn't going anywhere just yet, folks. With Brooks and Carroll now potentially out for a few days, he really has the chance to step up and make an impact..as does Denzel Rice who also seemed to make a few big plays today.
Safety strength:
We know how good Jenkins and McLeod have the potential to be as a tandem..and we got a glimpse of that today at Camp.
https://twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/759374149991084032
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/759373293237526528
It may only be Training camp and the early stages at that..but this could well be the start of a dominant Safety era in Philadelphia once again.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
