Practice Roundup

The Eagles began another week of OTAs, with Monday being open to the media. Let’s see what everyone had to say.

We’ll start with Jimmy Bama.

Is it getting tiresome to note that Carson Wentz looks really, really good? Today, I can count one throw he’d like to have back, an underthrown deep throw to DeSean Jacksonthat was broken up easily by Jeremiah McKinnon. Otherwise, Wentz was dialed in, as usual, and was dropping dimes all over the field. The highlights:

1. 1. Fade to DeSean about 35 yards down the sideline, on the money.
   2. Nice window laser to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who settled into a zone 15-20 yards downfield.
   3. Gorgeous deep throw on a post corner to Markan Michel in 7-on-7’s. That was the prettiest throw of the day, in my opinion.

Wentz is really good, and it’s pretty easy to predict that he’ll have a big year if he can stay healthy.

This may seem like obvious material, but it really is critical. When Wentz plays well, the Eagles are an elite team. He gives them the ability to beat anyone. A year ago, Wentz wasn’t on the field in May and June. He was rehabbing and taking mental reps, but that’s not enough for a young QB. Those guys need actual reps.

Wentz is healthy now and looks sharp in practice. He’s adjusting to new teammates and getting his chemistry back with returning players.

You can dismiss the importance of Wentz looking good in OTAs, but I think this is legitimately important and a great sign for the upcoming season.

*****

Here is Bo Wulf with some love for…Deiondre’ Hall?

12:15 p.m. — Hall gets his hand on a Nate Sudfeld pass to cause an incompletion. Hall is an interesting player to follow this summer after a bizarre first season in Philadelphia. The Eagles liked him enough to trade for Hall during the roster cutdown process, even if the compensation was minimal. But he played only six total snaps on defense all year, despite being healthy and the team suffering a never-ending series of injuries in the secondary. He also made little impact on special teams. Safety is a difficult position to pick up in a new system midstream, so Hall gets some benefit of the doubt, but he’ll need to impress this summer just to make the roster.

12:36 p.m. — Hall picks off Sudfeld in a red-zone drill in which three receivers are covered by five defenders.

“This is easily Hall’s best day as an Eagle,” I tell Sheil.

It really is fair to question just how bad Hall was last year. The Eagles traded for him, showing a real desire to have him on the roster. Despite DB after DB getting hurt, Hall could not get on the field. That is generally a terrible sign. What did he do to offend Jim Schwartz? Hall must have been awful in practice. Or maybe he just spoke openly of his disdain for football coaches who use baseball analogies.

As Bo points out, this is Hall’s first offseason with the Eagles. He should know the playbook now and be comfortable with his role in the scheme. There are no more excuses. He has to play well or he’s out. The Eagles are no longer thin at safety.

It is encouraging for Hall to have a good day in practice. This doesn’t mean anything definitive of course, but it is a good sign. Maybe the light has gone on for Hall and he will push for a roster spot and even some playing time.

*****

Mike Kaye has some praise for rookie DE Shareef Miller.

The fourth-round rookie put together a solid performance on Monday. Penn State coach James Franklin was at the NovaCare Complex to observe practice and his former pupil had some strong moments during 11-on-11 drills. NJ Advance Media noted at least two “would be” sacks for the rookie.

The lack of pads and “live” contact probably helped Miller gain ground but he looked fast and strong out there among his counterparts. While he still has a lot to learn, this workout was a step in right direction.

It is important for Miller to push the DEs in front of him, Vinny Curry and Josh Sweat. The Eagles need a deep DL. Just having good starters isn’t enough. Miller isn’t some complete project that will need time to develop. He’s got a chance to contribute this year. Miller has good size and athleticism. He’s played against elite college competition so that should help his transition to the NFL.

The real test for Miller will be going against Jason Peters and Lane Johnson in TC.

*****

Here is Brandon Lee Gowton with a variety of nuggets.

Vinny Curry stood out when it came to both rushing the passer and stuffing the run. He got the best of rookie offensive tackle Andre Dillard on a number of reps. Curry also brought great energy to practice. Curry started barking like a dog after J.J. Arcega-Whiteside dropped a slant from Wentz. Timmy Jernigan ran up to Curry and started yelling “ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!” Gotta love the d-line guys bringing the juice in a June 3 practice.

Curry is happy to be back in Philly and it sounds like he’s having fun. Coaches love it when DL bring a lot of energy to the field. That is especially true for Curry and Tim Jernigan. Practice is hard. Anything you can do to get things going can help players and coaches.

More up and down from Nate Sudfeld. The good included a fade pass touchdown to Charles Johnson and a jump ball touchdown throw to Johnson in the middle of the end zone. The bad included a pass intended for a target in the flat that sailed wide and out of bounds along with an interception thrown right at Deiondre’ Hall. Sudfeld tried to throw over Hall but the defensive back made the leaping pick.

The Eagles are rolling the dice by going with Sudfeld as the primary backup. It is fair to be nervous about his performance so far. Sudfeld has not exactly been lighting it up.

The flip side of that is keeping things in context. Plenty of backup QBs have struggled in practices over the years. They are playing behind a backup OL and throwing to backup skill players. That said, it would be nice to hear Sudfeld had a few good practices in a row.

T.J. Edwards continues to stand out. He blew up another screen play, this one to Wendell Smallwood. He’s good at recognizing what the offense is doing.

Edwards is having a good spring. That’s exactly what you want from a UDFA who is trying to impress the coaches and win a roster spot.

*****

MISC

Zach Brown said when he heard the #Eagles were interested in him he told his agent not to take any other calls. This is where he wanted to be.

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) June 3, 2019

It looks like Rodney McLeod (knee) is practicing. Great news as he recovers from last year’s injury. We’ll see how much he does. #Eagles

— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) June 3, 2019

Eagles just split Ertz out wide to isolate him on CB. I think you can see Ertz do this more this season as a way to get to Goedert on field with him. (For what it’s worth, Ertz was split wide on game-winning TD in Super Bowl.)

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) June 3, 2019

*****

Joe Douglas at #Eagles practice today: pic.twitter.com/FzGQWTNgvp

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) June 3, 2019

This doesn’t mean Joe is coming back necessarily, but it does make you wonder. The Jets may have wanted to finish all their interviews before making a decision.

But if you’re the Eagles and you think Douglas is leaving…do you really have him attend practice?

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