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The Eagles practiced today, but only in shorts and shells.  Yesterday rain forced them inside.  Luckily, I have notes from Friday that I have yet to share.  So let’s go back and take a look at them.

* MLB DeMeco Ryans had his best day of action on Friday.  He blanketed Bryce Brown in a 1-on-1 coverage drill.  Brown might be younger and faster, but Ryans is a veteran LB and used his experience to dominate that matchup.  Ryans was good vs inside runs in 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 sessions.

Ryans has had somewhat of a quiet TC.  I’m not worried.  He looks fine physically.  Some days you have a chance to make plays, others you don’t.  The real test for him will be the preseason games.  DeMeco has already been a good influence on the young LBs around him.  Mychal Kendricks is off to a good start.  Jamar Chaney is playing well.  Even Casey Matthews looks good this summer.  Ryans doesn’t get all the credit for that, but you can bet his presence has certainly helped.

* One LB who is on the fringes, but is playing well is Keenan Clayton.  He was very good in coverage on Friday.  He was all over Dion Lewis in a 1-0n-1 matchup.  He was very good vs TEs as well in the team sessions.  I still don’t have a good feel for him as a run defender.  Right now Clayton is the #7 LB on a team that will likely just keep 6.  I do like the fact that he’s playing well and is doing what he can to make the choice a tough one for the coaches.  Some guys see that they are on the outside looking in and don’t handle it well.  Keenan may not make it with the Eagles, but he is athletic and has cover skills.  You’d think some team would be interested.  The key is for him to put out some good tape this preseason.

* I haven’t talked much about WR Marvin McNutt recently, but he’s continued to have a good camp.  He looked good on Friday.  I like the fact he catches the ball well in traffic.  Big guys must play big.  Drove me crazy to see Hank Baskett play so small so often.  He wanted to be Marvin Harrison.  McNutt has shown good RAC skills, which is a bonus for a big guy.  You don’t look to him for big plays.  His job is to move the chains.  If Marvin can break some tackles and get extra yards, that would be great.

* One player who I have said nothing about is Tom Nelson.  I was hoping he might be an under the radar guy that would quietly challenge for a Safety job.  Like most people, Nelson came on my radar when he played for the Bengals and was on Hard Knocks.  He was a good athlete and made enough plays that the coaches were really impressed.  Nelson hasn’t done much to stand out at Lehigh.  At this point, he’s a non-factor in the Safety battle.

* I haven’t said a lot of good stuff about Chris Polk recently.  He’s started to pick up the pace.  He’s running hard and breaking tackles.  He lacks the quickness or speed to really get loose, but did have a 50+ yard run on Friday.  The Eagles were backed up against their goal line and he managed to get into the open field and then was off to the races.  He didn’t go all the way, but that was an impressive run from him. Polk is the #4 RB right now, but could earn himself a spot on the practice squad, or possibly get the attention of another team if he has a good showing in preseason games.

* Cedric Thornton looks worlds different this summer than last.  He’s in very good shape.  He looks confident.  On Friday he had a TFL in an 11-on-11 drill and was disruptive on multiple plays.  Cedric has always had a quick first step.  Now he’s playing with more strength.  He also just looks like he knows what the heck is going on.  Last year he was working strictly on natural ability.

* Akeem Jordan is the backup SAM.  This is where you want him.  He’s good enough to start if needed, but isn’t someone you necessarily want on the field.  I don’t think he’s pushing Mychal Kendricks at all, but that is because Kendricks has looked so good.  Jordan is having a good showing in camp.  He just lacks the potential/talent of Kendricks.

* S Phillip Thomas was back on the field.  He didn’t do anything to stand out, but was in on some tackles and looked okay in coverage.

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The Eagles signed DE Xavier Brown.  I know nothing about him.  Read the PE.com story here.  He is 6-4, 265.  That’s a good frame.  My prediction…future Pro Bowler.

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Jimmy Bama and I recorded a show on Friday.  Forgot to share the link.  Here it is.

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