Position Updates – Offense

The coaches have had a chance to see several practices and also to see different players in different roles. This will help them to figure out some battles for starting positions, but also how to fill roles. Let’s take a look at how things are going at certain positions.

QB – Everyone is in agreement. Jalen Hurts has a pretty good shot to be the starting QB. Joking aside, Hurts has had a great summer so far and looks like he is ready for a big year. He was terrific in the public practice at The Linc. The Eagles traded for Kenny Pickett in the offseason. I think the perecption is that he’s been so-so this summer. I wonder what the coaches think. They always have more context. They know what play is called. They know who is blocking and who is defending. People watching practice focus on the result. The coaches are mixing in Tanner McKee with the 2’s at times. Is that a reward for him, a sign that Pickett is struggling or just the coaches mixing things up?

Sirianni sidesteps question of whether Tanner McKee can challenge Lenny Pickett for No. 2 QB job. Says both are having a strong camp. Likes QB room as a whole. #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) August 1, 2024

Fran Duffy did have some good notes on Pickett from Friday night.

Kenny Pickett found Grant Calcaterra wide open in the left flat on the next snap for a first down as the offense began to move the ball. Johnny Wilson caught a quick throw from Pickett a couple of plays later, running a route from the slot. Gainwell got another look on the ensuing snap, catching a quick ball from Pickett that was perfectly placed to allow for yards after catch. Gainwell put his foot in the ground and made a nifty move in space to evade the defender for a first down. Patrick Johnson knifed into the backfield to wrangle Gainwell on the next snap. Next, Pickett broke the pocket and stepped up to deliver a strike to Calcaterra between the hashes for another first down as the young tight end got popped by safety Avonte Maddox for his trouble. Gainwell would then finish the drive with a walk-in touchdown run as Fred Johnson got excellent movement with left guard Trevor Keegan to create room to work.

Brandon Lee Gowton wrote about both QBs in Sunday’s practice notes.

Pickett could’ve been flagged for intentional grounding during a situational drill late in practice. Not what you want to see. Pickett’s desperation throw on the final rep of a situational series was too far out of bounds for Joseph Ngata be able to catch in-bounds. Tanner McKee recognized a weakness in the Eagles’ coverage that allowed him to quickly throw to an open Jacob Harris for a first down and then some. That rep was against the Eagles’ starting defense, too. McKee had two good completions to E.J. Jenkins on back-to-back reps (more on that again below). McKee certainly did not look threatening as a runner after keeping the ball on an option. And he overthrew Ainias Smith on a throw towards the sideline. But McKee should gaining ground on Pickett.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Last year Marcus Mariota struggled in camp, but remained the backup. Tanner McKee was Checkdown Charlie in camp, but came alive in the preseason games. Ian Book stunk and got cut. I don’t care who the backup is. I just want one of the players to win the job. Pickett is the better athlete. McKee has the better combination of size and arm strength.

RB – Saquon Barkley has looked terrific. I can’t wait to see him in action. Kenny Gainwell has looked good. The big news is that rookie Will Shipley has been very good. He’s really stood out as a receiver. Sirianni is impressed by his rookie RB.

#Eagles HC Nick Sirianni on Will Shipley:

“He plays big, I think. When you look at him, he’s built. His lower body is really built… There’s things about him that remind me of Danny Woodhead.”

“I look forward to him continuing to progress. We’re really excited about him.” pic.twitter.com/m0Ol8knEka

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 4, 2024

WR – AJ Brown looks great. DeVonta Smith looks to have gotten even better. He’s played at a high level so far in his career, but seems to have taken things up a notch. That’s bad news for opposing defenses. There is no clear-cut #3 receiver. The good news is that multiple players are showing that they can contribute in that role. Britain Covey is having the best summer of his young career. He has the size and skill set of the traditional slot receiver. Rookie Johnny Wilson is the exact opposite, but the coaches have mixed him in with the 1’s to take advantage of his 6-6, 231 size. He is an intriguing player. You can play him outside and move Smith to the slot. Or Brown. Parris Campbell flashed early. He missed Sunday’s practice, which just meant more chances for Covey and Wilson to impress. Rookie Ainias Smith has really struggled.

TE – Dallas Goedert looked great in the public practice and is having another strong camp. Grant Calcaterra is poised to be the #2 TE. Things are wide open after that. BLG had a note on the TEs.

E.J. Jenkins had a nice catch-and-run moment on a pass that went over the middle. And then again on the very next play. Jenkins has shown the most juice out of the tight ends behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. That being said, Albert O had his best day (by far) so far with a couple catches.

Who? Jenkins is a second year player who has spent time with the Jets, Raiders and Eagles. He is 6-6, 245. Jenkins only caught 17 passes as a senior at Georgia Tech, but a strong Pro Day got the NFL’s attention. Albert O is also a good athlete. No one questions his talent, just his blocking and consistency. The Eagles need someone to emerge and win the #3 job. McCallan Castles got hurt and the Eagles just signed Foelsch to replace him.

OL – The only mystery with the starters is the RG spot. Tyler Steen has been injured, opening the door for others to show what they can do. Mekhi Becton has gotten most of the reps with the 1’s. He has terrific size and really looks the part. Becton is a powerful run blocker. He’s been up and down in pass pro. Becton is used to playing OT. Pass protection there is different than on the inside. Steen and Becton will battle it out, but Steen has to get healthy and back on the field.

The Eagles lost key backups Sua Opeta and Jack Driscoll in the offseason. Fred Johnson is the top backup at OT. He’s been feisty this summer, getting into multiple shoving matches. Jon Runyan would be proud. Rookie Trevor Keegan has seen reps at LG and RG. He’s looked good at times, but also has gotten banged up and missed time here and there. Brett Toth, who first signed with the Eagles five years ago, got reps with the starting OL at RG on Sunday. Becton was out with an illness.

Matt Hennessy hasn’t exactly stood out this summer. With his versatility and experience, he was expected to be a key backup. Darian Kinnard has gotten reps at RG and RT. He’s a big, physical blocker with some potential, but hasn’t stood out. Max Scharping has played multiple positions. Newly signed Nick Gates has a chance to show what he can do. I don’t think we’ve heard much about rookie Dylan McMahon, but Jimmy Bama wrote about him today.

Rookie sixth-round center Dylan McMahon was recently promoted from third-team center to second-team center. He had a good rep against Marlon Tuipulotu in 1-on-1’s, and I haven’t really seen any obviously bad reps from him in 11-on-11’s.

That is encouraging to hear.

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