Week 3 OTA Roundup – Pt. 2

Posted: June 8th, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 68 Comments »

The Eagles let the media watch Thursday’s practice so let’s find out what our intrepid reporters saw.

We’ll start with Jeff McLane.

1. The Eagles had a spirited session. Typically, the media attends the last practice of OTAs on Friday, but the team moved up access a day. Lucky for us. There were plenty of highlights, most of the positive ones on the defensive side of the ball. OTAs are supposed to have no contact, but the Eagles – especially Jim Schwartz’s troops – appeared to push the boundaries. And when that happens, things tend to get a little chippy. For instance, midway through practice, center Jason Kelce took defensive tackle Gabe Wright to the ground. Kelce said something like “My bad.” But after Wright, who was signed earlier this week, was helped to his feet, he slapped Kelce across the helmet. It wasn’t a love tap. Kelce barked back, “That’s [expletive] up,” and walked toward Wright and had some words. There wasn’t further contact, as Kelce’s set was done, but the veteran center was clearly upset. Later, after he finished “blocking” Wright, Kelce had a little more to say to the former Lion and Brown, as did coach Doug Pederson during a break. Wright took more first-team repetitions than usual after Destiny Vaeao left with an apparent injury. Tim Jernigan was back at practice after leaving early Monday with an ankle sprain.

I love hearing about things getting highly competitive and a little emotional. You don’t want practice to turn into a bunch of ridiculous fights because that accomplishes nothing. You do want players fired up and really pushing each other. That’s how you get better and get ready for the regular season. Spring football is mainly about coaches teaching specifics and players learning their positions. Still,  you like to hear the players are really competing. That’s a good sign.

2. Carson Wentz might want to forget this day. He and the offense struggled throughout. Maybe it had something to do with the defense pushing the envelope, but the quarterback had trouble hooking up with his receivers. He had eight straight passes during one 7-on-7 set that were incomplete, although two were dropped. He overthrew a covered Alshon Jeffery and threw low to a crossing Darren Sproles, safety Malcolm Jenkins broke up a pass to Zach Ertz, Jalen Mills knocked a toss to Torrey Smith away, and Wentz threw too inside to Trey Burton. The drops came when Wendell Smallwood looked away on a short flick and when Nelson Agholor couldn’t hang onto a BB in the back of the end zone.

3. Other Wentz lowlights: He tossed an ill-advised bomb to a covered Jeffery that cornerback Patrick Robinson easily knocked away. He threw an interception right into the hands of linebacker Najee Goode. He was nearly picked off when he went to a not-even-looking Sproles in the flat. Wentz connected with Agholor on a 50-plus-yard “touchdown,” but the ball was short and was caught only after the ball was tipped into the receiver’s hands. Wentz’s best moment came when he lofted a strike to a crossing Ertz. It’s way, way, way – WAY – too early to hit the panic button on Wentz. But he hasn’t been sharp – at least for the last three practices I’ve attended. The Eagles still have one more OTA and three minicamp practices next week before breaking for the summer.

Practice is always awkward to evaluate. If the defense is better, is that because they were great or the offense stunk? It sounds like the defense played really well today, but also that the offense had some issues. That’s okay. The defense has more talent and should be ahead of the offense at this point. That said, you would like the offense to have a bit more success than what Jeff wrote about.

It is good for Wentz to deal with some pressure. That can help him to get ready for the summer and the regular season. Sam Bradford didn’t have to deal with much pressure a couple of years ago and that showed in September. You could tell he was adjusting to game speed. All QBs are going to struggle when pressure gets to them, but good ones find a way to make some plays and fight through it.

Jeff has plenty of other good nuggets in his piece.

*****

Here is your highlight of the day.

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/872844012826353665

That’s better than Megan Fox feeding me chocolate pudding while watching a Smokey & the Bandit marathon on AMC. Simply glorious.

*****

Jimmy Bama wrote a lot about the rookies.

• Derek Barnett was in the backfield regularly, battling against Lane Johnson. The rookie was clearly getting the best of Johnson working at RDE, with Johnson at LT. Barnett has looked good all throughout OTAs and is looking like a candidate to start early in his career.

It isn’t time to fit Barnett for a gold jacket quite yet, but it is great to hear the young man is playing so well. He could offer a boost to the pass rush, and help out the CBs in a big way as well. The Eagles have good OL so if Barnett is beating them, that shows serious skill/talent. If he was lighting up Demetress Bell, that would be a different story.

• Rasul Douglas didn’t have any really notable plays to report today, however, he was working with the first-team offense ahead of Patrick Robinson. This is a new development. Previously, Douglas was coming as an extra defensive back as a nickel, playing outside with Jalen Mills kicking inside. Today was the first media-attended practice that Douglas was with the starters in the base defense.

Douglas is competing for a starting role. He’s got a long way to go to win the job, but the fact he’s gotten into the mix is a positive sign. Doug Pederson praised Douglas in his press conference today. There is no question that CB is the weakest position on the team. Douglas has the talent to be a solid starting corner in the league. He only played one full season at West Virginia so I wasn’t sure if he would be able to thrive right away. It seems like Douglas has adjusted to the pro game quickly and is ready to push for a starting spot. 

• Mack Hollins continues to look solid. He has shown good hands, particularly for a player with only 81 career catches in college. It’s early, but Hollins has exceeded my expectations as a receiver so far.

Hollins continues to impresse everyone that watches practice. His college tape was good, but it sure sounds like he’s playing even better than that right now. You just never know how some guys are going to adjust to pro football. Some really struggle. Others feel right at home and play better than ever. I can’t wait to see Hollins in action.

• On one running play, Donnel Pumphrey got to the edge and juked the living crap out of Jalen Mills, who was left flat-footed as Pumphrey ran right by him. Mills could only look to the sky and collect a few “it’s ok” butt slaps from his teammates.

Pumphrey might be small, but there is no question that he’s got ability. If the Eagles use him right, Pumphrey can be a playmaker for this team.

You’ll need to read Jimmy’s piece to find out his thoughts on Shelton Gibson, with stick figures to help illustrate one issue. Good stuff as usual.

*****

Random stuff from Brandon Lee Gowton.

• Jalen Mills had an active day. No interceptions or anything but broke up some passes and often had tight coverage.

• Allen Barbre and Isaac Seumalo seem to be splitting first team reps at left guard. If the competition comes down to who has the best hair, Seumalo is a lock for the job. His fro is huge.

• Aaron Grymes broke up a red zone pass intended for Paul Turner. Grymes is picking up right where he left off last offseason. Looking good, should figure to compete for a depth job at corner.

• Steven Means continues to get good pressure. Could be the fifth defensive end behind Barnett, Graham, Curry, and Long.

• Kamu Grugier-Hill had a nice pass breakup during red zone drills. The former safety looks good in coverage.

Nothing groundbreaking, but BLG always seems to cover a point or two that no one else does. I enjoy the randomness of some of his points. He’s got good stuff on Wentz, Barnett and the usual suspects, but I prefer this stuff.

It is good to hear that Grymes, Means and KGH are all finding ways to stand out. Those three can be good role players this year. At the same time, they are on the outer edges of the roster so they have to stand out as much as possible.

*****

Quick note on Shelton Gibson and his struggles.

*****

As long as Gerry is in the 225-235 range, he should be fine.

*****

*****

Dave Zangaro has some good stuff.

5. This spring, the Eagles have been using a lot of bunch formations, rub routes and short crosses. That’s different from last year but it makes a lot of sense. With Darren Sproles, Donnel Pumphrey and some other shifty players, getting them some free space should work. On short crosses, the deep receiver was actually instructed to reach out to touch the short receiver to make sure they were close enough.

6. The offensive play of the day came from 2017 OTA MVP Nelson Agholor. (I know, I know.) On Thursday, he beat double coverage and caught a 50-yard bomb from Carson Wentz over his shoulder for a touchdown between Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod. And Dorial Green-Beckham actually made a great sideline catch and toe-tapped his way for a big gain. He hasn’t been good this spring, but this was a great play.

Overall, though, the defense won the day. They won way more battles than the offense, especially in the red zone. Good day for the guys in white jerseys.

7. Patrick Robinson made a really nice play 1-on-1 against Alshon Jeffery on a ball that was a tad underthrown by Wentz. At the end of the play, Jeffery became the defender and dropped Robinson to the ground.

Robinson might have been a little shaken up on the play because he didn’t rejoin practice (he didn’t leave the field either). Once Robinson exited, the nickel package included Jenkins in the slot. Normally, the nickel so far has included Robinson and Rasul Douglas outside, with Mills in the slot. It looks like the second option is kind of like what the Eagles did last year when they brought Jenkins in as the nickel corner and put Jaylen Watkins back at safety. It’s important to note that Ron Brooks isn’t yet back to being a full practice participant after his injury in 2016.

Good note on the bunch sets. Andy Reid loved to use bunch sets and formations where the WRs came in tight. When you watch a football game, remember that everything is by design. Players line up at a specific spot for a reason.

It will be interesting to see how the CB situation shakes out. Robinson could start on the outside or play in the slot. Douglas and Mills could start on the outside. Mills has gotten some work in the slot, but I don’t think that is his best spot. And, as Dave points out, we have to see how Ron Brooks is used when he comes back.

*****

This could be the best team in the past few years. The 2013 group played well, but had a soft schedule and Chip’s offense was catching people off-guard. This team probably has more overall talent.

_

68 Comments on “Week 3 OTA Roundup – Pt. 2”

  1. 1 Insomniac said at 3:06 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    For those worried about Wentz’s performance so far, it could be worse..

    https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/872923028753190912?s=09

    http://sportsnaut.com/2016/08/cardale-jones-accuracy-issues-bills-camp/

  2. 2 Nick C said at 10:15 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Im not too worried because the date. It is concerning that he is still sailing passes over the middle, but who knows, it could take years to iron out. Id rather measure him up to Brady, Rodgers, Ryan if we want to be a championship team. Hackenburg is absolutely horrible.

  3. 3 Anders said at 4:06 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Good video from OTAs

    https://www.facebook.com/BleedingGreenNation/videos/10154945620973052/

  4. 4 Tumtum said at 8:16 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Oops posted response to wrong comment.

  5. 5 Media Mike said at 5:42 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I’m always happy to hear how the guys are practicing, but I know we won’t have anything of substance to evaluate until they’re actually playing pre-season games.

    But It is nice to have folks out running around in practices again.

  6. 6 Anders said at 6:33 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Honestly, not even sure pre season can tell you much.

    We all remember 2015 right?

  7. 7 Media Mike said at 4:13 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    I’m not into using the pre-season games as the definitive judgement on who played better than who on the field rather than clandestine methods of choosing starters, setting the rest of the depth chart, and who to keep/cut.

    But I read you loud and clear on not judging w/l based on pre-season “success.”

  8. 8 Media Mike said at 5:44 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    That Shelton Gibson tweet from Les is why I will always hate the spread / gimmick systems that have proliferated in HS and college football. I really wish more places ran pro-style systems.

  9. 9 Anders said at 6:33 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I really hope, he gets a chance to stick around. He has talent but need polish

  10. 10 Mac said at 10:53 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Are we talking a strict diet of sausages, potatoes, and bagels, polka music, or full blown gene therapy?

  11. 11 D3FB said at 9:42 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Yes I really wish it was like the good old days when everyone ran the wing-T, flexbone and veer option. That would be great for the modern game.

  12. 12 Mac said at 10:51 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Thanks, that was a good laugh.

  13. 13 Media Mike said at 4:11 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Ha; that’s trash as well! Give me 21 personnel with some occasional 11 and 12 mixed in in the style of the 90s Cowboys and/or West Coast Walsh and carve it into a stone tablet that I can break over the head of blasphemers.

  14. 14 D3FB said at 10:11 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    Gross.

  15. 15 Tumtum said at 8:09 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    “5. This spring, the Eagles have been using a lot of bunch formations, rub routes and short crosses. That’s different from last year but it makes a lot of sense. With Darren Sproles, Donnel Pumphrey and some other shifty players, getting them some free space should work. On short crosses, the deep receiver was actually instructed to reach out to touch the short receiver to make sure they were close enough.”

    Back in the day on Madden with Andy’s playbook, bunch right, Westy subbed to TE slot for that formation…unstoppable. Got a pretty high Online Madden ranking that year. Doug was paying attention, I see. I knew I was a star.

    In a related note… is the new Madden worth buying and playing? If so what game system is the best these days? Kids still prefer Xbox One to PS4?

  16. 16 Ark87 said at 4:45 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    depends on your crowd, statistically i believe PS4 has sold more units, but I’m not sure which system has the bigger madden player base. The last madden I bought was many years ago, they stripped out a bunch of modes, dumbed down the franchise mode, and young players didn’t really get better year to year unless you paid a micro transaction to “boost” them. Haven’t played one since. And EA has exclusive rights to the NFL so there is no competition to keep the franchise sharp/honest, so no football video games for me. EA has been absolutely blasted by the video game community for making shallow/incomplete games and hiding content behind micro transaction pay-walls, and have since made efforts to be more consumer-friendly, so maybe Madden is better now, but they lost me a long time ago.

  17. 17 Tumtum said at 8:15 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    Oh yeah no gameplay effecting micro transactions for me. That is some phone game bs. Ill have to look into that. Thanka for the heads up. I would of been really angry if I was hundreds of bucks in and found out.

    Think I’m going Xbox though. Apparently thats what my buddies play (though not madden.)

  18. 18 Iskar36 said at 8:31 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Is it just me, or has every practice that the media has gotten to see included “Carson had an up and down day” or something equivalent. It’s obviously OTAs, so it’s not a big deal, but it seems whenever we he here something slightly positive we are very quick to overhype it and whenever we hear something slightly negative, we easily dismiss it as “it’s just OTAs.”

  19. 19 P_P_K said at 9:28 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I was certainly hoping the early reviews of Carson would be stellar. If they were, you’re right, it’s just OTAs and it wouldn’t mean anything. But the reviews aren’t stellar. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean anything, either.

  20. 20 D3FB said at 9:39 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    https://twitter.com/bykevinclark/status/872922292514312192

  21. 21 ChoTime said at 9:55 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Well, Wentz appears better to be bust-in-the-making-C-H. There’s that…

  22. 22 FairOaks said at 10:09 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Yeah, but I hope Hackenberg isn’t the measuring stick. Wentz was drafted just a little bit higher 🙂

    We may be remembering Foles some — the summer that he and Vick were competing for the job, it sounded like both were very sharp, which continued into the preseason (save the last preseason game from Foles), and then into the season — Vick was playing well until hurt, and Foles of course had his ridiculous season. The next summer… it was way more up-and-down from Foles, and he never did get that same groove back (aided by OL discontinuity of course) and was never the same QB. In that particular instance, it was a bit of a harbinger.

    Wentz didn’t get nearly as many reps last year, being the third QB at this point, so there isn’t a great comparison. But, the reports on him were quite positive if I recall in the limited amount the media did get to see. I’m sure plenty of QBs can be rusty at this stage and be just fine for the season, and vice versa. I’m just hoping that Wentz takes a step forward compared to last year, not just is as good. The flashes of great plays are really good to hear about.

  23. 23 D3FB said at 10:41 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I just refuse to get worked up about practices in may and june. He could shit the bed or turn into a fire breathing dragon. If he’s still struggling in preseason games, then and only then will I start to worry. For all we know coaches are intentionally drawing up plays to fuck with him so that he sees it and learns it now.

  24. 24 Iskar36 said at 10:52 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I’m not particularly concerned right now about poor practices from Wentz (just like I am not getting all that excited about Barnett making plays in limited contact practices either). With that said, this is likely the setting that should make him look best and if we are going to praise guys like Barnett/Hollins/Jeffrey in these practices, we have to equally call out Wentz, particularly given the fact that he is the key to the teams success.

  25. 25 ChoTime said at 1:14 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    I think last year, Wentz showed top-end instincts and flashy plays, but sub-par basic competence. I am more interested in hearing about the latter right now.

  26. 26 FairOaks said at 12:21 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Yep, absolutely fair. This is the time to be concentrating on stuff he’s not good at.

  27. 27 Mac said at 10:58 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    There’s cooking, there’s experimenting with food, and then there’s starting a grease fire and burning the whole house down. I think your idea that Wentz is in the experimental phase is plausible.

  28. 28 P_P_K said at 11:19 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I wish I could remember the source, but pre-draft there were a couple analysts saying Hackenberg did not have the tools to be a successful NFL qb. Of course, it’s too early to tell anything, but it will be interesting to see how the kid develops.

  29. 29 D3FB said at 11:45 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    There were reports last fall that the Jets already knew they fucked up.

  30. 30 P_P_K said at 11:47 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    They might need to bring back Sanchez.

  31. 31 Ark87 said at 4:56 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    And Michael Lombardi’s son convinced him that they are stupid-confident in him. Almost like large groups of people don’t form consensus opinions. For the record, I’m in the “they dun fucked up” camp.

  32. 32 A Roy said at 4:51 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    I said that, too, but who cared?

  33. 33 P_P_K said at 4:53 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    You and me, brother, genius’s rarely appreciated in our time.

  34. 34 A Roy said at 4:57 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    So true, so true,… (sigh)

  35. 35 Ark87 said at 4:59 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    this is great, because of your avatars this is like Gollum and Smeagol finally coming to an agreement and coming to appreciate each other.

  36. 36 P_P_K said at 5:03 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Great post!

  37. 37 daveH said at 10:16 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    I watched the MIRACLE IN THE MEADOWLANDS game last night .. had never seen the entire game. .i listened to it on radio live as i was heading to a buds funeral memorial in NJ.. but i dont think i saw Shady run the entire game ..must have been 60 pass plays called. .sure we were down all game says Andy…
    That was a massive team win. .no coach should take any credit for it
    Sims had some nice plays
    Was wild

  38. 38 Ark87 said at 11:48 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    You can’t just write Big Red out of all the good things that happened while he was here. It was a team win, but that was his team that won no matter how you slice it.

    Anyway, I remember being in a Buffalo Wild Wings for that one. I was invited on short notice, so I show up incognito, and I stay pretty quiet anyway, so these Eagles fans and Giants fans are talking seriously heated trash before the game, it was tense. Eagles fans got real quiet through the first half. The Giants fans were letting them have it. And I’m no hero, I’m not going to let my affiliations be known during this shalacking. Got Giants fans getting up and walking over to the Eagles fans to laugh in there face. By the 4th quarter, everyone is on the edge of their seats, Giants fans are too nervous to talk. Eagles fans only stir at all on good plays, then it’s pandemonium. When we tied up, it was awesome, we were all feeling really good about overtime. The smack talk was in full force, the giants fans were shook. Then the unthinkable happened, they punted to Jackson. Then he muffed the thing and everyone instantly flashed to the emotions of blowing the game on a Giants game-winning field goal, then everyone has the memory of that return burned into their minds the rest of there lives. Mind you, this is NC, there may have been 10 fans of either team in attendance. But by this point we have taken over all the big screens, the whole place is pandemonium, one of the Eagles fans is on the Giant’s fan’s table on all fours laughing at the them. It was a mad house.

    Of course in hindsight, the Giants laid out the blueprint to give Vick serious problems, and that would be copied and modified to make sure Vick would never reach those heights again. So that’s a bummer. But watching that star explode for one last hurrah was an awesome sight to remember.

  39. 39 ACViking said at 1:12 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    That was a fantastic story.

  40. 40 ChoTime said at 1:15 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    You should have left out the 10 fans part; the rest was epic 🙂

  41. 41 Ark87 said at 1:26 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    that’s the thing, you would have thought we were in Philly in the 4th quarter, everyone can get behind a historic comeback. Also those Giants fans were being crappy all through the first half (to be fair had the situation been reversed…) I remember Joe buck saying “he hAS A BLOAOOHOHGHOOHHAAWWWH” that rising voice mid word into not being able to hear him finish the word “block”. The whole place went into total pandemonium. It was surreal.

  42. 42 A Roy said at 4:49 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    I thoroughly enjoyed watching Coughlin throw his clipboard on the ground…”I told those damn kids to keep off my lawn!!!” what a good feeling. Better than Miracle I.

  43. 43 Ark87 said at 4:53 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    oh god, yeah, when he was givin’ that punter the business, priceless. Warm fuzzies, the ability for broadcasts to go from Manning face to exasperated Coughlin reaction in the span of seconds will be greatly missed. What a damn treasure that was.

  44. 44 P_P_K said at 4:58 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    The ultimate Coughlin face.

  45. 45 Ryan Rambo said at 8:30 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Meltdown on aisle 6!!

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/78e338e2507c1c2bc306d9c627c0170ff0b91cc9450afd831e73f302bbeeab4c.jpg

  46. 46 A Roy said at 8:46 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Gotta love Coughlin’s WTF expression. Only negative is, in frame 4, it shows Dallas winning.

  47. 47 daveH said at 8:33 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    It will be well worth an unfair Reid bash to elicit a memory like this EVERY TIME!
    Awesome story.
    ..
    I was on i80..it was bumper to bulle because a horrible accident ahead. .. but it gave me the chance to hear the game in its entirety. . I80 is just south of Giant disappointed Stadium… when he ran it back i was screaming a nutty mess alone in my car ..i pulled over, p put my flashers on and started jumping up and down like a fool. .. a whole bunch of cars passed me at life 2mph and i got nasty looks, honks and fingers. ..
    I walked into my friend’s memorial in the best mood ever. .. she was a blast so i know she would’ve understood

  48. 48 Tumtum said at 8:25 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    I was in my basement alone. Angry at the world until that moment. Def jumped and screamed but immediately started thinking we didnt deserve it.

  49. 49 RobNE said at 4:55 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Shady was not on that team with Herman Edwards.

  50. 50 A Roy said at 4:59 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Different Miracle

  51. 51 daveH said at 8:25 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Ha.. different Miracle. . And not Randall’s punt, and not Westy’s kick return either

  52. 52 Mac said at 10:56 AM on June 9th, 2017:

    Derek Barnett having a good day vs Lane Johnson is very encouraging. The Schwartz system needs pressure and sacks from our dline.

  53. 53 xmbk said at 4:01 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Ugh, not good to hear that Jenkins is the 4th cb. Need more of an injury cushion than that before he drops down. Someone better step up.

  54. 54 Tumtum said at 4:05 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Brooks isn’t in yet, Jones isn’t in yet. Remember he was the 4th cb last year. It should be improved this year.

  55. 55 xmbk said at 4:25 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Neither one of them can be counted on. It’s still the optimistic time of year, but I’d rather not see Jenkins be the first backup. That said, nothing is very meaningful right now. They might not have wanted a teaching moment at that time.

    I just think that the D is a lot better off when Jenkins is at safety.

  56. 56 FairOaks said at 6:01 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    They are probably counting on Brooks to an extent. Jones I would hope not.

  57. 57 NinjaP said at 3:14 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    Brooks looked good at nickel last year if he is healthy he should play there before we have to move jenkins.

  58. 58 Tumtum said at 8:18 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    I prefer him there, but he is a good slot. I imagine he will continue to get reps there all year.

    No one can be counted on right now, but Brooks is here because tht like him and expect him to be able to compete for the nickle.

    That group might lack veteran spent but it is a least deep.

  59. 59 Ark87 said at 4:34 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    might be circumstantial, being just one practice, but I agree, I think he’s one of the best free safeties in the league and a serviceable slot corner, moving him contributed to our defensive decline last year imo.

  60. 60 Ryan Rambo said at 6:08 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Idiot.

    NJ.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks wasn’t overly impressed with Alshon Jeffery’s performance at OTAs.
    When asked if Jeffery has “stood out” in practice, Shorr-Parks replied, “Ehhhhhh.” Shorr-Parks conceded that Jeffery has looked “good,” but said his performance hasn’t spawned many “wow” moments. It goes without saying that all practice observations in early June should be taken with a major grain of salt, though Jeffery has plenty to prove after an underwhelming 2016. Most early mock drafts have Jeffery going in the mid-to-late third round.

  61. 61 Tumtum said at 8:21 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    I dont like ESP either, and haven’t heard anyone else bring up Alshon. Meh sounds about like what everyone else has said indirectly.

  62. 62 poobster said at 10:47 PM on June 10th, 2017:

    From McLane:
    9. Jeffery has done something each practice I’ve attended that makes you go, “wow.”

  63. 63 wee2424 said at 8:16 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Interesting comment that LJ made. He said how he feels as thpugh this is the best team he has been on since getting drafted. That combined with Sproles comments does put a warm feeling in my stomache.

  64. 64 DJH said at 5:16 PM on June 10th, 2017:

    And then you hear that little, raspy voice in the back of your head that says, “the Eagles always win the offseason championship.”

    At least mine’s always a raspy voice.

  65. 65 A_T_G said at 8:58 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    Ouch…
    https://twitter.com/ericrowe32/status/873300301650030594

  66. 66 P_P_K said at 10:51 PM on June 9th, 2017:

    The greatest celebration in sports history will take place when the Eagles win their Super Bowl.

  67. 67 Tumtum said at 8:19 AM on June 10th, 2017:

    Of course you didnt Eric. The Eagles drafted you.

  68. 68 A_T_G said at 12:42 PM on June 10th, 2017:

    Shoutout to Dominik for finding the QB rating vs. for LBs. It supports the idea that Hicks is really good, rather than just better than the awful CBs.
    https://twitter.com/PFF/status/862316308704223233