Training Camp Roundup – Day 9

The Eagles had a spirited practice on Wednesday. The highlight of the day was actually a lowlight. DE Joe Ostman fired off the ball and got under LT Andre Dillard’s pads. Ostman hit him with enough force to knock Dillard back and off-balance. Dillard was knocked back into the legs of Carson Wentz. It was the kind of moment that made you hold your breath because that’s the kind of play where knees get torn up or ankles get broken. Thankfully, Wentz hopped right up and was fine.

The question now is what to make of this. Some saw it as a huge red flag. Dillard was overpowered by someone who is 70 pounds lighter than him. Dillard spent the offseason getting heavier and stronger to eliminate issues with anchoring in pass protection. It is conerning to see him dominated in a rep by a player who isn’t even a lock to make the team.

At the same time, Dillard had a solid overall practice. He wasn’t getting beaten by pass rushers over and over. This was a scary moment.

You can’t just dismiss this as one bad play, but you do need context for it. Eagles coaches won’t tell us anything publicly, but I would imagine they are having some complex discussions as they try to figure out their plans at LT. Are they firmly behind Dillard or does a moment like this make them question things?

This really is a crucial decision for the organization. Keeping Wentz healthy has to be priority number one. For Dillard to remain the starting LT, the team has to really believe in him. The coaches say all the right things publicly. It will be interesting to see if their actions match those words. Maybe they do really believe in Dillard.

This is another instance where the lack of preseason games really hurts. It would do a world of good to see Dillard in game action against different players.

LINKS

Jimmy Bama

Jeff McLane

Brandon Lee Gowton

Zach Berman

Fran Duffy

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The star of the day was J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. The young receiver made several impressive TD grabs. He showed off his size and ability to play the ball in the air. JJAW has been on a roll recently and that has done wonders for his confidence. We still don’t know when Alshon Jeffery will return to action so the team needs JJAW to be an effective part of the WR group. They need his size, especially in the Red Zone.

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Backup RB Elijah Holyfield had some impressive runs on Wednesday. He’s had a solid camp. The Eagles were excited to add Holyfield at the end of last season. They saw a tough, physical RB who plays faster than he times (4.8…ugh). Holyfield is pushing to be the #4 RB, if the Eagles keep that many.

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Genard Avery had to be carted off the field. The young pass rusher has been quiet this summer and wasn’t a lock to make the team. We’ll have to wait and see what his injury situation is.

Casey Toohill continues to make a strong roster push. He is the most athletic of the DEs fighting for a spot. Toohill seems to make a play every day. Joe Ostman is coming off a torn ACL, but also has had some good moments.

Those two have played better than Avery or Shareef Miller.

We know the Eagles will have Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry and Josh Sweat. Do they add one or two more DEs to that group?

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CB Nickell Robey-Coleman had another impressive INT. Looks like Howie Roseman and his pro personnel staff made a good move in bringing in NRC. With him and Cre’Von LeBlanc, the Eagles have a pair of talented slot corners. That has been a mystery position since Patrick Robinson left. The Eagles have had several guys try to handle that role. It seems to be in good hands now.

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Wentz threw some good deep balls on Wednesday. He has the speed at receiver to stretch the defense now. Of course, he needs the OL to protect him long enough to let his guys get deep.

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It is funny how much a mess WR was last year. Rookies Jalen Reagor, John Hightower and Quez Watkins have all played well this summer. So have some other young receivers. Deontay Burnett seems to make at least one impressive play a day. Marcus Green has had a good camp. JJAW has been terrific. We haven’t heard much about DeSean Jackson, who had a maintenance day, because all eyes have been on the young guys.

Greg Ward hasn’t done anything to generate a buzz. Jimmy Bama wondered if we should consider him a roster lock at this point. Nothing is set in stone, but the Eagles would have to be really love some other receiver to move on from the guy who was so clutch in their December playoff drive.

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Jordan Mailata missed practice. Prince Tega Wanogho played some LT. He was up and down, but does look natural at the spot. He just needs to stay healthy and get some experience. Mailata has struggled this summer. You wonder if Prince could steal a roster spot from him.

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