Sunday Wrap

Posted: July 28th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 43 Comments »

The Eagles were in full pads and practiced at The Linc. The highlight of the day was the alumni part, where ex-Eagles were introduced to the crowd. Aside from that, this was a nondescript practice. Of course, that’s not always a bad thing.

Let’s start by checking in with the practice gurus.

Here are Jimmy Bama’s practice notes. He’s got good things to say about some young guys.

• It’s time to start paying attention to OLB Chris McCoy. He had a PBU today and looks a lot more comfortable in coverage than Trent Cole and Brandon Graham. McCoy looks like a legitimate threat to grab a roster spot. Another under-the-radar guy making plays is WR Greg Salas. Salas was a former 4th round pick of the Rams in 2011.

• Brandon Boykin has stood out to me so far. A lot of PBUs (pass break-ups), I can’t recall looking at a player to see who got beat on a play and seeing #22.

• Chris Polk had a nice day. To say that he had several long runs is somewhat pointless, seeing as there’s no tackling, but he looks more elusive than I’ve ever seen him.

A lot of people praised Polk. It is a good sign that he’s come in hungry and focused. Polk didn’t play much last year and that can be tough on some young guys. He’s got a big chance with Chip Kelly taking over since RBs will be used more.

Really interesting to hear about McCoy. Someone else praised him yesterday. We need depth at OLB. Phillip Hunt is far from a lock to make the team. McCoy is stepping up and making the coaches pay attention to him. He has good size. He was a good pass rusher in college. If he can show cover skills, he could be a good backup OLB.

Make sure to read Jimmy’s piece to see his explanation of the Amoeba Defense.

* * * * *

Now to Mr. Kapadia. Before we get into his practice notes, we must discuss a moral dilemma that he posed…do you use mustard on soft pretzels or not? Sheil says no. His partner Tim McManus says Sheil is un-American for such a heinous act. What do you say about this?

Now to the football notes.

2:00 – Wide receiver/defensive back one-on-ones. Russell Shepard streaks down the left sideline on a go-route and makes a leaping grab over Brandon Hughes. The crowd loves it. Still not sure if he’ll make the team, but Shepard continues to make plays.

Glad to hear that Russell Shepard is playing well. I still think we need to be careful about getting our hopes up. Would be nice if he could really challenge for a roster spot. Talented young kid.

2:25 – The offense does not look sharp today. Foles targets Jackson, but the pass is broken up by Fletcher. Trent Cole comes up with what wold have been a sack on Foles had he been allowed to hit the quarterback.

Vick hands off to Bryce Brown, who goes east-west out of bounds for a loss.

The defense shows a look with what appears to be one down lineman. Brandon Graham stands up in the A-Gap. Curry is standing up too. Vick is pressured before taking off and fleeing the pocket.

Jackson makes a nice catch on a low throw from Foles on a screen. Foles then targets Jackson on a go-route down the right sideline, but the ball hits Lindley in the helmet.

Vick runs play-action, rolls to his left, can’t get away from Phillip Hunt and throws across his body into the ground in Momah’s direction.

I already mentioned the offense doesn’t look good today, right? OK, just checking.

Foles runs the read-option and keeps it. Remember when Kelly said he should be fired if he runs the read-option 20 times a game with Foles? I think by 20, he might have meant 1.

Avant motions and catches a screen, but Brandon Boykin would have Sheldon Brown’d him if hitting were allowed.

Rough day for the offense. As Jimmy mentioned in his notes, this was their first time dealing with full pads and more aggressive contact. You actually expect them to get slowed down a bit. Still, that sounds like a really rough day. Sheil did a good job there of making you see this wasn’t just one player or one unit.

The good news is that the defense had a solid day.

And back to the pretzel debate…I’m a southerner so my vote doesn’t really count. I’ll eat ’em either way.

* * * * *

Couple of injury notes.

Cary Williams did not practice. Curtis Marsh has played in his place. No one has really written about Marsh, good or bad.

Todd Herremans tweaked his knee and watched from the sidelines. Danny Watkins took his place.

BJ Cunningham was in street clothes and a walking boot. That’s not promising.

* * * * *

The Eagles are really doing a lot of shuffling on defense. They are mixing and matching different combinations. Damion Square has been the backup NT some times. Casey Matthews and Jason Phillips have each run with the starters at some point. We talked yesterday about the different secondary combinations.

Don’t read into this as a sign that the Eagles want Matthews to start or that Square is likely to make the team. Just a lot of experimentation right now. If we start to see backup players getting used in odd ways over and over, that could be a signal. If David Sims is on the field with the starters several days in a row, that’s more than just experimentation. Same for Casey Matthews. And Square. For now, it is just interesting to see the different combinations.

* * * * *

One point several people have brought up is that Brent Celek and Zach Ertz have dropped passes in the past few days. This needs to stop. Both guys are talented receivers. Each guy had an issue with drops last year. This is something the coaches need to focus on.

* * * * *

Howie Roseman met the media. Jimmy Bama has the details of his conversation.

_

43 Comments on “Sunday Wrap”

  1. 1 nopain23 said at 8:29 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    With his shoulder injury Barkley hasn’t played real football in quite sometime. When all is said and done after he knocks the rust off I think he’ll be the starter.

    His accuracy and ability to make quick decisions will be the deciding factors.

    If Kenny makes it through the entire season I would say that ..first it would be a miracle and secondly it would be a good trade off for losing maclin…u hear that football diety

  2. 2 OregonDucker said at 9:54 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Barkley was 9 for 11 but he was against the 3s. He also had one long ball.

  3. 3 tdilla said at 8:37 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    it’s interesting how the Eagles seem to have already anointed Cooper as Maclin’s heir-apparent. Roseman gave him a pretty solid endorsement in an obvious attempt to light a fire under his ass. Doesn’t really seem in line with Kelly’s philosophy of having the best man win the job, no?

  4. 4 TommyLawlor said at 8:54 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Someone has to be promoted to the spot for now. Clearly Cooper won’t keep the job unless he earns it on the field.

  5. 5 P_P_K said at 9:22 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    I remember Cooper showing a lot of promise early in his rookie year. He raised a lot of hopes, including mine. Andy had him on and off the field so much, I don’t think he ever got a chance to develop any sort of rhythm as a wr. It would be great if he brings his game to a higher level this year.

  6. 6 EaglesJRL said at 8:42 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Only 2 players really made an impression on me today aside from the lackluster QB’s..Shepard and Celek. They stood out for opposite reasons. Shepard looked surprisingly good, very impressed by him and would love to see him challenge for a spot. Celek on the other hand looked as if he forgot TC started, multiple passes dropped, false starts, and out of position..never was a big fan of his but my goodness was he bad today..

  7. 7 the guy said at 8:45 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    If you don’t love mustard, I don’t know whether to pity you or sponsor legislation preventing you from breeding.

  8. 8 TommyLawlor said at 8:55 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    I assume Mr. Kapadia will be hearing from you.

  9. 9 the guy said at 9:06 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    My wrath shall be known.

  10. 10 Mitchell said at 8:50 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    So it looks like Boykin is having a pretty damn good training camp. That’s exciting to hear he is being used on the outside. However I would like to hear how Allen and Kendricks are doing. I dnt think I have read anything in them.

  11. 11 Kevin Powell said at 9:47 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Saw Kendrick’s get some good pressure in the backfield today.

  12. 12 Mitchell said at 10:45 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Really want to see him explode this year. Hope he is being put in a better position than last year (which I’m sure he is). Thanks for the reply.

  13. 13 P_P_K said at 9:18 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Shel, my friend, Eagles brother, soft pretzels without mustard? Yagoddabekiddin. I don’t know if Tim is right and this is anti-American (after all, who cares what they think in Dallas), but it’s certainly anti-Philly.

    Now, sit yourself down with a Philly pretzel. Your choice is not: mustrad or no mustard. Your only choice is: brown or yellow. Let us know how you make out.

  14. 14 Warhound said at 1:12 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    I tried brown, great for sandwiches – but give me yellow for pretzels and for dogs.

  15. 15 since1961 said at 9:38 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    My Dad was born and raised in South and West Philly. Once a year I got to go see the Igs with him at Franklin Field, and I’ll always remember him picking the “right” pretzel guy: the right amount of salt and (he claimed) a bit of wind-blown dirt in the mustard (at least, I assumed it was wind-blown). Unfortunately, once they traded Sonny the pretzel & mustard was usually the highlight of the day.

  16. 16 TommyLawlor said at 10:06 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Great story.

  17. 17 SteveH said at 12:29 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    You know, I thought there was something wrong with the mustard on the hot dogs I was eating today, and now I realize it was missing the wind blown dirt.

  18. 18 P_P_K said at 9:35 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Do you remember the pretzels being 20 cents each, 5 for $1?

  19. 19 since1961 said at 11:10 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    My allowance then was 25 cents, and Dad paid. I remember they seemed huge. Now they’re small and i’m huge.

  20. 20 Skeptic_Eagle said at 9:58 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    McCoy’s PBU was more a function of the lack of drive Barkley had on an out route, which is an NFL pass that will always challenge his arm. The inability to drive it to the second level is a big reason why he’s a 4th round pick.

    I certainly hope McCoy can develop, but don’t find a favorable comparison of fluidity in coverage to Graham and Cole as great reason for optimism. Those two have looked really rough when they’re doing anything besides rushing the passer. I like that we’re seeing so much competition on the roster, but it really speaks to the lack of NFL talent on the roster, more than anything else. I said before that Reid was going to a more talented team than he was leaving. Quite a few national writers are now saying the same. It will be interesting to see things play out in ’13, Kelly really needs to be the genius he’s touted as.

  21. 21 TommyLawlor said at 10:07 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Interesting stuff. Thanks for the info.

  22. 22 P_P_K said at 9:34 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Regardless of the Chief’s talent level, they are certainly in an easier Division than the Eagles. Andy should be able to rack up some easy wins.

  23. 23 John Gurney said at 9:59 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    I’m not a philly guy, I live in Canada, but I do visit every year, and I couldn’t imagine having a pretzel without mustard…

  24. 24 mheil said at 10:02 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    walking boot usually means high ankle sprain, an injury from which it takes weeks to recover

  25. 25 planetx1971 said at 11:19 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    Is it even LEGAL to eat one without mustard? Commie heathen …..

  26. 26 sprawl said at 11:46 PM on July 28th, 2013:

    You can only eat a pretzel with BROWN mustard… none of that yellow French’s crap… and if you even suggest Grey Poupon then I’m banishing you to eating lunch in your car.

  27. 27 Warhound said at 1:14 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Try an English brand yellow mustard: Colemans.

  28. 28 ICDogg said at 5:46 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    I always liked that Plochman’s spicy mustard with horseradish

  29. 29 TommyLawlor said at 12:00 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    More good practice notes.

    http://eaglesblog.net/2013/07/more-practice-notes/

  30. 30 GvilleEagleFan said at 1:57 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Tommy, can you do a PSA in your next post that Mychal’s last name is spelled without an apostrophe? Drives me crazy for some unknown reason to read it spelled “Kendrick’s” in the comments section.

    A less cuckoo request: Any shot at getting us an episode of the H2H show mid-TC or does Jimmy Bigshot spend too much time with the team too record until after camp?

  31. 31 A_T_G said at 7:11 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    I bet Kendricks’ pissed too. Really, all of Kendricks’ family. On the other hand, the apostrophe before the s is what autocorrect wants to do.

  32. 32 xlGmanlx said at 1:39 PM on July 29th, 2013:

    nice, here is hoping that Polk can improve year 2 and be the 3rd back. I just don’t see Jones as someone who can stay healthy and contribute. He played in a similar rotation with the cowgurls and still couldn’t stay healthy.

  33. 33 T.T said at 6:56 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    I wanna know Tommy your opinion about something. If Chip Kelly has a winning code and he can duplicate it with New Hampshire, Oregon and Eagles, would it be wise to protect it like any other immaterial right? It is intreresting for us, fans, to understand Eagles system in deeper level, but it makes it easier for other teams to prepare against Eagles. Good teachers, like Kelly, are used to teach people, but the bad habit is, they also tend to teach reporters and other teams as well. Chip Kelly, in my opinion, is genious, but 49ers and Patriots way is much better,which is, don´t say anything about what you are going to do on field. Joint practices with Patriots are for one reason, BB will be here to learn more about Chip Kelly´s system. Appreciate your work, thanks for the best Eagles site there is.

  34. 34 eagleyankfan said at 7:29 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    You think Chip will show his hand? I have to believe he is not AR and MM where the same offensive(and defensive plays) over and over and over…

  35. 35 T.T said at 8:27 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    He allready has if it ain´t bluff. Option routes, “repetitive” accuracy, blocking has changed.., Don´t reveal those things until you get exposed.

    … nutrition, new weight training, revealing some special drills in public, sport science etc. Last press conference was some talk about Foles and read option. If those are components of Eagles getting better than other teams, you shouldn´t reveal those things.

  36. 36 eagleyankfan said at 7:13 AM on July 30th, 2013:

    Chip is only showing what he wants people to see. That nutrition stuff has already started elsewhere. The only way people will pay attention is if the Eagles win. If they go like 13-3, people will say that they are onto something. Until then. Nobody will notice. Week 1, IF the Eagles shut down RG3, Dallas/Giants will but the game tape. 🙂

  37. 37 T.T said at 12:54 PM on July 30th, 2013:

    Maybe Chip Kelly is misguiding opponents or showing something that he has done already with Oregon. I’m still more comfortable with Patriots & 49ers media policies, that coaches and players can discuss only plays and strategies used in previous games. Hope you are right and we’ll see unexpected offence in week 1.

  38. 38 eagleyankfan said at 7:42 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Yellow mustard is for women and children. No mustard? I’ve never heard of such blasphemy.
    Hey – a C. Mathews sighting. I still don’t know why he’s on the team. Whenever I see him on the fields, he’s always the first play to the play AFTER the play happens.
    How can anyone be surprised to see players, who only rushed the QB’s the last couple of years – struggle in coverage? I’d imagine Chip does not have all “his” players in place yet, especially defense. He’s going to make due with what he has. Speaking of being surprised — Celek dropping passes is not a surprise. He did it all last year too….

  39. 39 morenthemiddle said at 7:44 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Yeah, I’m wondering if this isn’t a lingering effect of that thumb injury he had.

  40. 40 eagleyankfan said at 7:54 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Good work by Jimmy — but “If Jason Avant could run fast, he’d be an all-time great.” That’s a little over the top. All-time great? please.

  41. 41 Patrick said at 9:36 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Maybe “run fast” should be “more athletic”, but otherwise I think its true. Avant has some of the best hands in the NFL, he runs superb routes, he is clinical about finding holes in the zone D. The only thing he lacks is athleticism, specifically speed and quickness. That could very well be the difference between Avant and Reggie Wayne.

  42. 42 John Eagle said at 9:42 AM on July 29th, 2013:

    Philly soft pretzels, either wit, or witout, depends on my mood. Brown or yellow, same thing. Cheese steaks always wit extra cheese, and extra fried onions, and always wit Heinz Ketchup. !!!”GO EAGLES”!!!

  43. 43 Scott said at 8:49 PM on July 29th, 2013:

    will the refs allow chip to run his offense?

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324809004578636300350207808.html?mod=wsj_share_tweet