Day 2 in the Books

Posted: July 27th, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 66 Comments »

The first couple of days of Training Camp are in the books. Nothing substantial has happened. You could almost say it has been boring, but in a way that’s a good thing. As Dave Spadaro joked on PE.com, no one has gotten hurt and no one has won a starting job. Those are the kinds of things that really get our attention at this time of the year. With only rookies and select vets practicing, you shouldn’t expect anything too noteworthy.

Doug Pederson spoke to the media yesterday. He didn’t say anything that really jumped out at me. He did have to once again explain that Sam Bradford is the starter, Chase Daniel is the backup and Carson Wentz will be #3. I’m not sure why that is such rocket science.  I know some in the media are looking for a story, but save a question like that for a few weeks from now when Wentz lights it up in a preseason game or one of the QBs has a very good/bad practice.

Jim Schwartz spoke today. PE.com has the video.  There isn’t any groundbreaking news, but I love hearing Schwartz talk to the media. He talked a lot about the young corners and the competition that will be going on there. Aside from Leodis McKelvin, things are wide open. That’s bad because it means the Eagles don’t have quality, proven starters in place. At the same time, the Eagles do have a lot of young guys battling for the other starting spot and the Nickel job. There should be good competition between Nolan Carroll, Ron Brooks, Jalen Mills and JaCorey Shepherd, among others. Schwartz is excited to see how the guys compete with each other on a daily basis.

One of the things I liked most from the Schwartz talk was the fact he’s in no rush to get everything done. There is a long time between now and the season opener. Players aren’t supposed to know the scheme inside-out right now. They aren’t supposed to be perfect on the field. It takes time and repetitions for players to learn and grow. Don’t rush the process. Fans want to know who looks good right now. Who is on the roster bubble? Do we have a depth chart yet? Schwartz is telling you to relax and let the coaches and players go to work.

Think about Jalen Mills vs Eric Rowe. Mills had a strong spring and is playing well so far in camp. That’s great and everyone is excited about his potential. At the same time, Rowe is the guy with 5 NFL starts under his belt. He has broken up 5 passes and picked one off. He’s gone against great NFL receivers. Mills hasn’t even taken part in a full-contact practice, but we are so ready to praise Mills and bury Rowe. Right now Mills looks better, but let’s give this time to play out. Rowe is a big, strong, physical player. The contact setting in Training Camp should help his game. Mills has to show he can handle that side of things. And tackle.

Jeff McLane wrote a good piece on the CB competition. I love Shepherd’s attitude.

Shepherd isn’t settling for the nickel corner role. He wants to start on the outside and said that he has as good a chance as any of the competitors.

“Hell, yeah. It’s open, baby,” Shepherd said. “No job is taken yet, and that’s the way I’m going to attack it. Regardless of how many [defensive backs] we have in the room, I know I’m going for a starting spot.”

Being a CB means being confident (sometimes delusional even) and playing with a lot of attitude. Shepherd has the right attitude. Soon enough we’ll see if he has the skills to push for a starting job or key role on the defense.

McLane also has some good practice notes.

— Jim Schwartz is a must-follow at practice. He walks with a cocky arrogance, but if I’m the head coach I want my defensive coordinator to bring that kind of attitude to the more emotional side of the ball. Schwartz isn’t shy about letting the players know exactly how he feels about their performance. “You gonna cover anyone today?” he barked at what seemed like the entire unit during an early drill. “Get your heads out your [posteriors],” he yelled a little later. Rookie linebacker Joe Walker responded to the rhetoric and had tight coverage on a pass thrown underneath. “Now that’s more like it,” Schwartz said.

Rookie Alex McCalister said that he weighed 232 pounds when he first came to the Eagles. That’s about as skinny as I’ve ever seen a defensive end, especially one that is 6-foot-6. But McCalister, who said his goal is play at 255-260 pounds, noted that he was already up to 246 pounds.

McCalister has excellent potential, but it is critical that he can get above 250 and maintain that weight. If he was shorter and had some thickness, he could get away with playing at 246. But he’s 6-6. That’s a long frame. He’s got to have some meat on his bones and better strength. It is encouraging that he’s headed in the right direction.

*****

Jimmy Bama saying nice things about Sam Bradford? What is the world coming to?

Today, in his first practice of training camp, Bradford took a snap from under center, tripped over one of his offensive linemen’s feet, regained his balance, turned his body, and fired a completion to the sideline. Having observed him for a full training camp in 2015, I do not think that is a play he would have made a year ago.

I believe he’ll get off to a better start to the season than he did a year ago, although, obviously, that is not at all a high bar.

That was from Monday. Here is praise from Tuesday’s practice.

Go ahead and put Bradford in the Hall of Fame.

*****

Apparently the Eagles showed some interest in WR Anquan Boldin. Some made it sound serious. Roob says different.

That makes it sound like the team was mildly curious, but not ready to take the next step. I think Pederson and Howie Roseman are smart enough to know this isn’t a title contender. They need to give the young players a chance. If they fail, then go see which veteran players are on the street. I love Boldin, but it is more important to the future of the team to see how the young receivers perform.

*****

One bit of bad news.

Maybe Bradham had a good reason for hitting someone.

Gulp. That sounds a lot more dumb than anything else.

Then again, Jimmy Bama does make a great point.

Words of wisdom, Mr. Bama. Words of wisdom.

_

66 Comments on “Day 2 in the Books”

  1. 1 Cafone said at 1:22 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Think the Cowboys will give us a 5th round pick for Bradham?

  2. 2 Shirleyjwashington4 said at 3:23 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    <<o. ★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★:::::::!!br261p:….,….

  3. 3 A_T_G said at 8:37 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Shirley, you can’t be serious?

  4. 4 bill said at 8:53 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    I am serious. And don’t call me surely.

  5. 5 A_T_G said at 8:29 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    If we can doctor up a failed drug test for him as a bonus, we might be able to get a 2nd.

  6. 6 Bert's Bells said at 9:45 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    If the umbrella guy was a lady, they’d send two firsts.

  7. 7 Anders said at 5:33 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    If the Eagles defense comes back to the Jim Johnson, Buddy Ryan or Marion Campbell quality, Jim Scwartz will be a rock star in Philly.

  8. 8 Ben said at 12:44 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    If Schwartz can hold teams from scoring less than opposing offenses on any type of consistent basis, that will be good enough for me.
    The only position group I feel good about is the D line.

    Let’s just hope that this defense can play anywhere in the same zip code as those you mentioned and I will be ecstatic.

  9. 9 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:39 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    How could you Possibily not be THRILLED with our Safeties?

  10. 10 The original AG said at 10:51 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    As devil’s advocate – maybe he’s worried about depth? I love our starters at that spot.

    Dline – legit
    LBs – athletic, but at least some good history sans injuries
    CB – unsure, but at least have a savvy veteran on one side
    S – legit

    I’ve watched the Giants win two superbowls with a suspect secondary because their dline was legit. Why not us?

  11. 11 Ben said at 5:13 PM on July 28th, 2016:

    Well the starters are exceptional and I am very excited to see them get at it, but at the same time I hope and pray neither the safeties or LB’ers get hurt.
    We will be in trouble if any go down for any length of time.

  12. 12 Media Mike said at 1:19 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Hopefully it becomes Bud Carson level! #1 of all time!!!!

  13. 13 JohnDough610 said at 6:48 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    I want them to be better at tackling than the JJ defenses.

  14. 14 Anders said at 9:13 AM on July 28th, 2016:

    I think you mistake the McDermott or Juan Castillo shit show with JJ defenes in general

  15. 15 Dan in Philly said at 6:58 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    It’s hard to think of another team with a better DC, but I’d like an article profiling the assistant coaches in the NFC East. How does our staff stack up?

  16. 16 Eagles News: Sam Bradford gained five pounds of muscle - NFL Feeds To The Fans said at 7:01 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    […] Day 2 in the Books – Iggles BlitzThink about Jalen Mills vs Eric Rowe. Mills had a strong spring and is playing well so far in camp. That’s great and everyone is excited about his potential. At the same time, Rowe is the guy with 5 NFL starts under his belt. He has broken up 5 passes and picked one off. He’s gone against great NFL receivers. Mills hasn’t even taken part in a full-contact practice, but we are so ready to praise Mills and bury Rowe. Right now Mills looks better, but let’s give this time to play out. Rowe is a big, strong, physical player. The contact setting in Training Camp should help his game. Mills has to show he can handle that side of things. And tackle. […]

  17. 17 A_T_G said at 8:28 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Travis Long released. What a shame, injury never allowed him the opportunity to earn a spot. I wonder if the Bradham incident forced the FO to open up a roster spot.

  18. 18 Anders said at 8:47 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Why? Long played same position as Bradham

  19. 19 myartz04 said at 9:04 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Hard to trust a guy with 3 acl tears.

  20. 20 Anders said at 9:17 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    True, but who out there can provide SAM experience?

  21. 21 laeagle said at 11:29 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    I’m reading that as “Sam Bradford” experience because of the ACLs…

  22. 22 A_T_G said at 9:19 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    I was thinking the same as myartz04. When we had a guy in place, we could take our time and see how Travis looked. With Bradham likely suspended, at least, they might be looking for more of a proven commodity.

  23. 23 Anders said at 9:25 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Unless we trade for one, who is out there and tbh consider the LB depth, why wasnt that guy signed already?

  24. 24 A_T_G said at 11:46 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    Good point.

  25. 25 Ben said at 12:44 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Please let this be sign that they are making room for Tulloch.

  26. 26 mark2741 said at 10:24 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    FWIW – noticed yesterday that Wentz wears “sleeves” too, same as Bradford.

  27. 27 Tumtum said at 1:39 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Well boys. The next decade is a wrap.

  28. 28 Ben said at 11:48 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    As a follow up to Bradhams unfortunate incident involving the beating of a cabana boy, according to Les Bowens twitter feed it says the cabana boy struck Nigel’s girlfriend first, then in retaliation he punched the cabana boy.
    Not that this helps him all that much, but it does put his punch in proper context.
    If this same circumstance occurred to any of us, who wouldn’t punch the cabana boy?

    I have to wonder if this this kid was just looking for a payday.
    I would find it very difficult to not stand up for my family if this was actually the way it unfolded.

  29. 29 A_T_G said at 11:51 AM on July 27th, 2016:

    I just read that. For me, that helps him a great deal if true. If someone takes a swing at me and hits my wife, I am going to do the same thing. That is much different than hitting the guy for forgetting his umbrella.

    Now, the truth…we might not have that yet.

    https://twitter.com/jeff_mclane/status/758319620507987969

  30. 30 RogerPodacter said at 12:59 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    now BGN has a story from ESP where the victim denies this happened. really confusing stuff, like he needed his manager to get a drill so he could fix the umbrella.
    i didn’t know that the cabana boy job description included umbrella repair. how do you not have another guy for that? how do you not have another fucking umbrella that you could have brought instead??

  31. 31 Will:Howie is Nino Brown said at 12:04 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    If a guy hit my gf or wife I’m going full Hulk on him.

  32. 32 Gian GEAGLE said at 2:40 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Absolutely. I applaud Bradham if he punched someone who put his hands on another woman, regardless if it was his wife, girlfriend, or a stranger…. When a man puts his hands on a woman, all bets are off… If you are going to be abuse a woman, I don’t want to hear you cry after a man treats you the same way you mistreated her..
    ..
    Hopefully this turns out to be true, instead of a lie trying to excuse his actions.
    .
    And if he is lying about The cabana boy putting his hands on a woman, it makes his actions even worse

  33. 33 Sean Stott said at 12:16 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    IDK but Mr. Cabana also got a bottle smashed over his head.

  34. 34 Cafone said at 12:47 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    There’s supposed to be video so we will probably get to the truth. If I had to put money on it now, I’d say Bradham is lying about his girlfriend being hit first. If it was a clear case of self defense, then why run? I hope I’m wrong.

  35. 35 lonfident said at 2:12 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    The ESP article says the cabana “boy” is 50 yrs old. Doesn’t sound like someone who would start a fight with an NFL linebacker. (I read the story as he allegedly swung at Bradham, missed, and hit the gf)

  36. 36 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:37 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    That’s a “Cabana grown ass man”

  37. 37 Gian GEAGLE said at 2:14 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    I’d say that makes a pretty big difference,,,,. If he beat on a Cabana boy over slow service, i have a serious problem with his actions… But if he hit a Cabana boy after he put his hands on a woman, I would be celebrating Bradhams actions.
    ..
    Hopefully whatever the truth is comes to light… Pederson made it sound like they don’t plan on cutting Bradham either way

  38. 38 Cafone said at 12:42 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    I guess only white people are allowed to strike their servants

  39. 39 The original AG said at 10:41 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    According to Bill O’Reilly as long as they were well fed with lodging it was okay.

  40. 40 Tumtum said at 1:32 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Lets add Eric Rowe to the milk carton with Adrew Gardner. Guys that the last staff liked but apparently now can’t even get a mention.

  41. 41 Gian GEAGLE said at 2:11 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    “Eric Rowe is Quickily trending towards becoming one of The worst draft picks of the chip kelly era”-Jeff McLane…..
    ..
    YIKES!
    ..
    Hopefully this proves to be the latest media exaggeration but it’s certainly alarming. I am struggling to understand how someone can have this type of fall from grace after only a few weeks of OTA’s?
    ..
    Rowe is one of our bigger, more physical corners, so hopefully once the pads go on, he can start to put his best foot forward and start to rebound his reputation. Hopefully Rowe can prove that this was just a hiccup in transitioning to a new scheme, and That non contact OTAs Wasnt the ideal setting to put his best foot forward since as one of our bigger corners, physicality is a big part of what makes him successful.
    .
    I don’t know to what extent a physical corner is at a disadvantage in OTA’s, but I feel like the less contact allowed, the more conducive the environment for the smaller faster “twitchy” corners like Mills and Brooks to thrive..
    .,
    But even if none of that proves true, this is a talented young athlete who came to us raw in his transition to corner, so I feel like this is a little too soon to be talking about his career being in jeopardy even during a regime change, especially because even if he proves to be a total abomination as an NFL cornerback, he still has plenty of Safety potential to explore before giving up on the kid..
    ..
    Im a bigger Nolan Carrol fan than most, so for me it wouldn’t be a total shock and too alarming if Rowe ISNT ready to beat out Leodis and Nolan at the start of his Sophmore season. but I am shocked to go from being very excited about Rowe, to him being in position where he is going into Camp as one of the players with the most to prove. Don’t know that many people expected to see him in this predicament after a few weeks of OTA’s, but hopefully he can respond in a big way at Camp/preseason.
    ..
    If Rowe continues to flop at CB, I’ll be extremely Dissapointed if we give up on him, before exploring his Safety potential..
    ..
    Any chance Reporters get access to Corey Undlin in the near future? He seemed to be high on Rowe last year, so I’d love to hear his thoughts on the matter

  42. 42 Ark87 said at 2:50 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Didn’t he look really bad in the non-contact stuff last year too? Hopefully that’s it, and not that his confidence has been shaken, which can be hell on a CB’s performance. If that were the case, I can’t really imagine Schwartz holding his hand through it all. Would not see him bouncing back from a loss of confidence here.

    He’s demonstrated that he can play CB, but if he can’t now, that’s in his head and he’ll be useless at any position until he gets his head on straight.

    I’m really rooting for Marcus Smith, lots of talent, and we could sure use some more pass rushers, but for now no one is even close to him in the race to being crowned the biggest CK bust. Jeff had to see some seriously terrible stuff to forget that.

  43. 43 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:19 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    It probably helps that schwartz kept his position coach (Undlin) from last season in place, Schwartz may not hold his hand, but im sure Rowe will at least get The support from his position coach and veteran players.
    .
    Camp and the preseason at least provide him an opportunity to change the entire narrative, if he goes out and has a strong camp, and a big preseason, OTA struggles will be quickily forgotten
    .
    Worst case scenario it’s not like we have great Safety depth. I’d hope we give him a shot there before we cut him.
    ..
    And if the Staff is THAT down on him, maybe the move is to trade him now, before he starts losing value with a bad preseason performance. it wouldn’t suck to use him to get some picks back, if the coaches are confident enough with the group of corners, but we also thought we were comfortable enough To trade boykin last year, and then his replacement got hurt the next day, and even if we think we won’t need him in September, it’s a long season and Nolan and Leodis are no strangers to getting injured
    ..
    Hopefully he has a big week to start camp to give him a jolt of confidence and put a halt to some of the negativity attached to his name these days. It probably doesn’t help that while he is struggling, rookie CB Mills keeps impressing
    ..
    Im sure Rowe will get a lot of playing time in the preseason, hopefully he makes the most of The opportunity, has a few big preseason games changing the entire narrative

  44. 44 anon said at 4:43 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    People write whatever they want in the offseason. I watched him play last year against Megatron, Watkins, ODB, etc. and he held his own when he was able to play press man. Why you’d straight trash a kid before he’s played in another game i don’t really get.

  45. 45 peteike said at 5:46 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    exactly. He also was quoted as saying he had trouble with curl routes and hes now already adjusted to them and is over that hiccup from spring. This is all garbage early reporting stuff, even Schwartz said guys can be in the right place in shorts, wait til theres tackling and the pads get on. Im not even worried about Rowe yet but the WRs are another story and now RB. They need bring in a vet

  46. 46 Media Mike said at 6:44 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    I’m 99.9% sure he came into the off season program with a big head about his “status” on the depth chart and he’s getting knocked down a few pegs by Schwartz / Undlin as a result.

    Plus Kempski, who I still insist got some type of info piped to him about the DeSean cut, is swearing up and down the block that Rowe isn’t going anywhere.

  47. 47 D3FB said at 8:39 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    But he had all those sweet agility ladder drills!!!!

    Also Kempski has said he was tipped off on the Desean thing.

  48. 48 The original AG said at 10:38 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Like you I think McLane is a hack. Ignore.

  49. 49 eagleyankfan said at 3:18 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/07/27/report-nfl-set-to-announce-philadelphia-as-2017-draft-host/
    …
    Draft host — pretty cool

  50. 50 SteveH said at 3:31 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    #CabanaGate

    Who swung first?! Did the girlfriend get punched or not?! Why flee the scene if in self defense?!

    All this and more in the coming weeks.

  51. 51 A_T_G said at 4:16 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    All this and (not very much) more in the coming weeks.

  52. 52 Bert's Bells said at 4:18 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Sure you don’t mean #Cabanghazi?

  53. 53 BC1968 said at 7:08 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    #Cabanghazigate or #Obamaskatrinabrella would be acceptable.

  54. 54 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:37 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    You know Jerry Jones is becoming more and more tempted to bring back Greg Hardy by the day lol
    ..
    Going into last year, I feared Hardy joining Dallas, now I think he is past his prime and his production won’t be enough to make it worth dealing with The drama and negativity he brings into the locker room.
    ..
    I also wouldn’t mind watching Peters and Lane kick his ass twice a year. It’s always fun to watch what happens when a Bully lije Hardy gets punched in his mouth
    .
    I’d rather no NFL team allow him the privelege of playing and earning an Nfl paycheck. But if he is going to be in the NFL this year, I hope it’s with Dallas

  55. 55 peteike said at 5:47 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    last I heard he was trying out for JVille but didnt hear much after that

  56. 56 A_T_G said at 4:29 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Well, at least the problem is only at LB and not a really shallow position like RB, that would b…

    What? Mathews is on the NFI injury list for a ankle?

    FML.

  57. 57 eagleyankfan said at 4:54 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    That guy hurts himself sneezing…..

  58. 58 Ireneejones2 said at 12:45 AM on July 30th, 2016:

    <<o. ★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★:::::::!!br1009p:….,.

  59. 59 anon said at 4:41 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Foles cut.

  60. 60 peteike said at 5:47 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Who can they bring in, or is it too soon. How can they count on Mathews at this point per injury concerns. If they do, whos a possibility, Polk?

  61. 61 Media Mike said at 6:42 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Polk, as far as I can tell, is the only guy on the list of NFL FA RBs who have both taken pro snaps as a RB and played for Duce.

  62. 62 peteike said at 5:55 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    not to worry we have Cedric O’Neal and his highschool, I mean college highlights to amp us up. Still rootin for Byron but it feels like they need more of an every down runner, these guys seem on the smaller shiftier side

  63. 63 peteike said at 5:58 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    already forgot about Barner ha.

  64. 64 Media Mike said at 6:41 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    Bye bye Barner………….

  65. 65 JohnDough610 said at 6:47 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    So is our offensive line any good this year? Is there a reason NOT to be really concerned about our skill position players? I’m trying to be optimistic about this year (not just the future, which I am generally optimistic about) and having a hard time.

  66. 66 Media Mike said at 6:51 PM on July 27th, 2016:

    What sucked last year – everybody on the o-line but Lane, WRs, RBs, and the D as a unit because of Billy Davis.

    Team was 7-9

    I’m not going to tell you to be optimistic, but I’m not worried about bottoming out. Schwartz and his scheme and the guys we added will make the D functional, at worst. Schwartz has a track record of this everywhere he’s gone. And in places with less talent that we have.

    Brooks fixes a major issue at RG. The play calling, which I’m sure won’t be perfect, won’t me out of wack with the personnel on the field.

    So I don’t see us as any worse off.