Questions and Answers

Posted: August 18th, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Questions and Answers

The Eagles played on Thursday night and then practiced on Saturday and Sunday. Let’s talk about some players and situations to see where things currently stand.

What’s Going on at RG

Tyler Steen got hurt against the Pats. If the competition for RG wasn’t already over, it is now. Steen can’t win the battle if he can’t practice. The question now is how Mekhi Becton will do at RG. Here is a note from Jimmy Bama on Saturday.

Starting RG Mekhi Becton was up and down today. He faced Jalen Carter in 1-on-1’s on three straight reps, and in my opinion won them all. At a minimum, he didn’t lose those reps. However, he also got dusted by Milton Williams in team drills. Becton is obviously a physical specimen, but be prepared to see a volatile player with shining moments and shaky ones this season.

That’s pretty well said. Becton will have dominant flashes, but will also lose some battles he shouldn’t. At least he can practice and work on his blocking.

The good news is that his injury isn’t too serious. The bad news is that he will miss practices. Since Becton is new to OG, every rep is valuable to him. Brett Toth replaced Becton on Sunday. Maybe he’ll play better there than he has at center.

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What’s Going on at LB

A month ago the hope was that two players would emerge so that the Eagles could feel good about a pair of starting LBs. Devin White and Zack Baun have gotten most of the reps with the 1’s. They have been solid and will probably begin the season as starters.

Things have gotten complicated because Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr have really come on and played well. Here is what Brandon Lee Gowton said about them after Sunday’s practice.

Dean looked so good that I started to wonder if I’ve ever seen a better practice by an Eagles linebacker. He was everywhere out there! Dean put a physical pop on Tyrion Davis-Price on a short run up the middle. He celebrated making a “tackle” on a Saquon Barkley run for little gain. He blew up another run between the tackles that went for no gain. He knocked Will Shipley to the ground immediately after the rookie made a catch in the flat. He got his hand on a Hurts throw to DeVonta Smith in the flat to break it up. Dean also got to Hurts on a blitz for a likely “sack.” There are still questions about Dean dropping back into coverage but there’s little question can make an impact when he’s moving downhill. Dean seemed to play with more swagger and energy than I’ve ever seen from him today. He was playing loose, in a good way.

It was also a good day for Jeremiah Trotter Jr. JTJ initially gave up a catch to Grant Calcaterra but immediately shoved him from behind to cause the tight end to drop the ball. JTJ also deflected a pass at the line and knocked down a short Pickett throw over the middle.

JTJ…I like that. Good job by BLG. And Dean’s performance got everyone’s attention. Here is Mr. Bama on Dean.

LB Nakobe Dean was the player of the day.

    1. He had a pass breakup on a short throw to DeVonta Smith.
    2. He made a difficult tackle on Will Shipley in open space on a play in which Shipley had all kinds of room to make a move. And by “tackle,” I mean he actually tackled Shipley to the ground. (Dean has been more physical than the team would probably prefer during practice, honestly.)
    3. He had a tackle for no gain on Shipley, and then a good dance thereafter.
    4. He had a sack of Jalen Hurts on a blitz.

Dean’s motor is always running hot, and he has looked faster this summer than he did in 2022 and 2023. He’s beginning to make plays in bulk every day, and he’s making a strong push to start

This is very encouraging and strange. The Eagles now have 4 LBs they want to play. Vic Fangio said he’s open to rotating them, but prefers to find a primary duo and stick with them. What a nice, and very strange, problem to have.

And Ben VanSumeren is making plays as well.

I wonder if some team would approach the Eagles about a trade for a LB. How insane is it to think they could have enough depth to be able to deal someone?

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What’s Up With Cooper DeJean? 

He’s finally back at practice, but Fangio said he’s limited to 2 to 3 reps per session. That means he is getting minimal work and will still need time to develop. The Eagles are using him at nickel for now. They will mix him in at corner as his reps increase and he can do more. The Eagles aren’t going to rush DeJean along. They have pretty good depth for now so they can let DeJean work his way back.

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What’s Up With DL Depth? 

Thomas Booker is starting to push for a roster spot. Fangio singled him out as a reserve DT who played well against the Patriots. That’s a great sign for Booker, who had a sack in the game. He also has been making more plays at practice and winning reps.

I haven’t finished re-watching the game so I can’t say much about PJ Mustipher. Watching it live, I thought he did okay.

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WR3?

Johnny Wilson is banged up so he’s missed multiple days. Parris Campbell is coming back, but we haven’t heard much about him.

This is still a major question mark. The Eagles have to be calling other teams to see who might be available.

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