Pads Time

Tuesday was the first day the Eagles practiced with pads on. That meant hitting, physicality and more emotion. Guys are more likely to get fired up when they hit someone or get hit by someone.

Let’s take a look at what happened.

LINKS

Jimmy Bama

Brandon Lee Gowton

Fran Duffy

Quinyon Mitchell is starting to really show the talent that made him a first round pick. Jimmy Bama was very impressed.

The highlight of the day was during wide receiver / cornerback 1-on-1’s, which were in the red zone. Quinyon Mitchell was matched up against A.J. Brown, and he blanketed Brown so well that Jalen Hurts didn’t even venture a throw. (This does not happen often at all during these drills, much less with a player like A.J. Brown.)

Mitchell then stared Brown down, lol.

Soon after, Mitchell matched up with Brown again, and Brown made a great one-handed catch, but Mitchell’s coverage once again was good, and Brown could not keep two feet in bounds. The Eagles’ other defensive backs were hyped up for Mitchell’s reps vs. the All-Pro.

And

Later, Mitchell blanketed Covey near the corner of the end zone for several seconds as Pickett scrambled and finished the play with a diving PBU. He is beginning to see more time with first team at nickel corner.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) July 30, 2024

Mitchell is showing big time athleticism as well as versatility. He is covering different types of receivers and handling whatever is thrown at him. Mitchell doesn’t have much experience in the slot, but Vic Fangio has talked about wanting the best guys on the field. He may choose Mitchell’s talent over someone else’s experience.

It is so funny to think back to last year when the Eagles had one good corner. Now they have four guys who might be worthy of starting and we have yet to see Cooper DeJean in camp. Howie and his scouts did a great job of adding talent to a position that desperately needed it.

***

BLG liked what he saw from Jalen Carter.

If it was up to me to give out an MVP award for today’s practice, I’d give it to Jalen Carter. The second-year defensive tackle was unstoppable. Carter destroyed Mekhi Becton on two reps. The first was in a team setting where he used a club move to swat Becton out of his way. The second was in a 1-on-1 drill where he used his power to toss Becton aside. Becton is listed at 6’7”, 363 pounds! Carter also blew up a run in the backfield, wrecked a designed QB run, and deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage. I feel like Carter is being underrated; this isn’t just a merely good player. As my friend Jonny Page said, this is an elite talent who could feasibly be Defensive Player of the Year sooner than later.

Fran liked what he saw from Carter and Jordan Davis.

Another team session is underway and a Saquon Barkley carry has nowhere to go thanks a giant wall created up front by Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. Davis chased down a Barkley screen near the sideline on the next play. The offense got to celebrate on the next rep, with Hurts finding Gainwell streaking across the middle of the field for a score – Hurts excitedly sprinted to his running back after the connection. Milton Williams wrapped up Will Shipley at the line of scrimmage on a run to the inside as well. The defensive front is really flashing today.

And

A scrimmage period begins and the defense gets the better of the offense to start, forcing a three-and-out. Jordan Davis chased Hurts down along the sideline on a scramble to the far sideline. That’s the third or fourth time I’ve seen Davis chasing a play down outside the tackle box today.

Carter is a special talent. He has the ability to dominate up front and be the impact player that Fletcher Cox was for so long. Putting on pads brought out the best in him. Expectations for Carter should be sky high heading into this season.

Davis isn’t the same level of player, but he can be hugely important to this defense. Fangio likes to keep a light box as much as possible. That can work if someone like Davis is in the middle and stonewalling blockers and letting the LBs run to the ball. It is very encouraging to hear about him hustling and being active in practice.

***

Jimmy had a couple of blurbs on Cam Jurgens.

Cam Jurgens had a stellar rep in 11-on-11’s. On a screen, he blocked Jordan Davis enough that Davis didn’t sniff out the screen, and then shoved him up the field away from the play. Davis went to the ground. Jurgens then turned and sprinted up the field and blocked S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Super impressive athleticism. The Kelce comparisons are probably going to get old at some point, but he looked like prime Kelce on that play.

And

Jordan Davis put Cam Jurgens on roller skates (in a 1-on-1 drill), and walked him right back into the quarterback. Again, in fairness, Beau Allen used to do that to Jason Kelce. The center is at a particularly huge disadvantage in 1-on-1 drills. Jurgens had a much better showing in a rematch with Davis.

Jurgens is so much like Kelce that it is kinda nuts. Jurgens is a gifted athlete that can be outstanding on the move. Where he can struggle is going against a big DT 1-on-1. Kelce learned over time how to get better at that. Jurgens will adjust as well, but there will be some growing pains.

***

Good note here from Fran.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson thumps Saquon Barkley on a catch in the middle of the field, and he’s quickly greeted by Devin White for a celebration. Gardner-Johnson’s energy level is matched by White every day on the practice field. The two got together again after Gardner-Johnson broke up a third-down pass intended for DeVonta Smith inside.

I love to hear that. CJGJ and White are veteran defenders with playmaking ability. They bring a lot of energy and attitude to the defense. On offense, emotion is less helpful. There is a need for timing and precision. Defense is about attacking. Emotion is great on that side of the ball if used correctly. The defense lacked talent and attitude last year, a bad combination. Things feel very different so far this summer.

***

ROOKIE UPDATE

WR Johnny Wilson has been making some plays. He has even gotten some reps with the 1’s in different looks. His unusual size makes him an interesting player that the coaches may want to use in certain situations.

OG Trevor Keegan has had some good moments. He did get banged up and have to leave practice.

LB Jalyx Hunt continues to get people’s attention. His athleticism shows up every single day. You would never know he’s from a tiny school.

***

The Eagles signed OL Nick Gates and released CB Mario Goodrich.

Gates has 37 career starts. He spent 5 years with the Giants and one season with Washington. He’s played center and guard. Listed at 6-5, 312 pounds.

Eagles going for veteran depth at the position. They added…

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) July 30, 2024

Landon Dickerson has been dealing with a toe injury. Tyler Steen is out with an ankle injury. Trevor Keegan has been banged up. I’m assuming Gates was added to give the team more depth. It is also possible that the guys signed in the spring are not impressing the coaches and they wanted some veteran competition to add to the mix.

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