Training Camp Roundup – Day 6

After a day off on Saturday, the Eagles were back in action on Sunday. The team wasn’t in full pads and there wasn’t any tackling, but it was a good day of practice for the guys in green.

Let’s start on the back end. The Eagles secondary might be the most improved unit on the team this year. Darius Slay is the headliner. Nickell Robey-Coleman has impressed everyone watching practice and seems like a lock to play the slot. That gives the Eagles two above average players at corner spots. I’m not sure they had any of those last year.

Avonte Maddox is the favorite to handle the other outside spot. He hasn’t been great this summer, but has been solid and reliable. Neither Sidney Jones nor Rasul Douglas has challenged Maddox for the job. Cre’von LeBlanc is trying to win a job.

The Eagles appear to have good depth at safety. Rodney McLeod and Jalen Mills are the starters. Will Parks is the key backup. Macus Epps, K’Von Wallace, Grayland Arnold, Rudy Ford and Elijah Riley are battling for roster spots

I don’t think the Eagles are going to be The No-Fly Zone this fall, but it sure does feel like the secondary will be improved.

LINKS

Jimmy Bama

Jeff McLane

Bo Wulf

Brandon Lee Gowton

Fran Duffy

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Another day, another strong showing by J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Maybe the light really has gone on for the second-year receiver. He’s lighter and faster, but also playing bigger and stronger. Last year he didn’t do a good job of using his size to win battles. It sure sounds like he’s made big strides in that area. You want big guys to use their size. Some struggle with that idea (which I don’t get).

JJAW is stacking good practices. This really is a good sign for the young man. He caught a lot of flak for his rookie season (deservedly so), but luckily he seems to have handled it the right way.

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Rookie K’Von Wallace gets a little better each day. He hasn’t flown around and lit the place on fire, but he’s making plays and making the case for him to move up the depth chart.

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A couple of writers had good things to say about Casey Toohill. The seventh round pick is a gifted athlete. I wanted the Eagles to put him at LB, but they have played him at DE. Toohill has won some battles with the backup OL. Jimmy Bama noted that Toohill covered speedy RB Adrian Killins on a wheel route. That’s why I wanted Toohill at LB. I don’t see him as anything special at DE, but his athleticism could make him a playmaker at SAM.

Toohill has had some issues with jumping offside. He’s got to clean that up.

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With RB injuries, Elijah Holyfield has gotten more and more reps. He is starting to play better. Holyfield is starting to get more involved as a receiver, which is important for RBs in this offense. You must be able to block and catch. Holyfield didn’t get many chances at Georgia, but he’s showing potential as a pass catcher. He had one impressive grab on Sunday.

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Two backup receivers drew praise from the writers. Deontay Burnett has played well all through camp. Marcus Green has also looked good. We didn’t know what to make of the Eagles receivers with Alshon Jeffery banged up and Marquise Goodwin opting out of the season. Looks like the young guys have embraced the situation and will all be fighting for roster spots.

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Jimmy Bama pointed out that Jalen Hurts made some really impressive throws on Sunday. We know he’s got touch and a solid arm. Jimmy noticed Hurts making strong throws into tight windows. That isn’t something Hurts has always done.

Nate Sudfeld made some good throws as well. The backup QBs are pushing each other. Both will make the team. Both want to play.

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Fran pointed out that rookie OL Jack Driscoll blocked Fletcher Cox in a 1-on-1 drill and drew praise from his fellow blockers. Even Cox gave him credit for that. Driscoll is doing everything he can to be a key backup for the Eagles this year.

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Andre Dillard got hurt and left practice. The Eagles just inserted Jordan Mailata at his spot. If this were a real game, Jason Peters would likely be moving to that role and Matt Pryor would be taking over at RG.

Dillard’s injury is something to watch. He needs work so the Eagles don’t want him to miss practices. At the same time, the season is three weeks away. They do want Dillard healthy and ready to go.

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