Training Camp Wraps Up
Posted August 24th, 2024 | Comments Off on Training Camp Wraps UpNick Sirianni ran the longest, most physical Training Camp of his tenure as the Eagles coach. He’s got a young team and I think he wanted to instill some toughness in the players. Last year’s team was too soft. Sirianni didn’t want that to happen again.
Let’s take a look at each position and what we learned this summer.
QB – Jalen Hurts threw his first INT of the summer in the final practice. Should the Eagles trade him for a backup RG? Hurts just had the best camp of his young career. The new offense seems to suit him well. Hurts looked faster and more athletic this summer. He seems to be totally healthy. Kenny Pickett is the #2 QB for now. He’s had a disappointing camp and preseason showing. Pickett seems to be processing too slow. He holds the ball just a bit too long. Maybe more time in the offense will bring out better play. Tanner McKee has been up and down in camp, but he’s looked good in the games. He’s confident and aggressive. He makes good throws and looks in command. I think he should be the primary backup. We’ll see.
RB – Saquon Barkley looks like the real deal. I can’t wait to see him in action. I haven’t talked about Kenny Gainwell much. That’s a compliment to him. He’s had a good summer, but I expect that from him. Rookie Will Shipley has shown ability as a runner, blocker and receiver. He will play some this year. Tyrion Davis-Price has played well enough to make a push for the roster, but he might be headed to the practice squad. He has good vision and good feet. Sirianni is a big Lew Nichols fan so we’ll see if he makes the PS. The Eagles have a good group of RBs.
RBs this preseason with the highest rate of runs for 5+ yards
60% – Darrynton Evans
60% – Tyrion Davis-Price
58% – Bucky Irving
58% – James Robinson
57% – Sean Tucker
56% – Kenny McIntosh
50% – Jaylen Wright
47% – Frank Gore Jr.
46% – Tank Bigsby
46% – Ray Davis
46% – Jamaal…— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 20, 2024
WR – AJ Brown is one of the best in the league and he’s been great. DeVonta Smith just had his best camp and seems to be taking his game to the next level. The Eagles just traded for Jahan Dotson so they finally have a legit #3 receiver. He isn’t a sure thing, but is talented and isn’t the kind of project they’ve had at #3 the past few years. Parris Campbell got hurt and never got to show much. Rookie Johnny Wilson had a good summer and might have showed enough to be a guy they will use in certain sets. Britain Covey had his best summer as a WR. He would be a pure slot guy, though. Rookie Ainias Smith started slow. Painfully slow. He’s come on recently and has a good chance to make the team. He’s still more of a developmental player for this season, but it has been good to see Smith overcome adversity and show why the team drafted him.
TE – Dallas Goedert had a strong camp, as usual. Grant Calcaterra was given a chance to show he could be the #2 TE and he took advantage of that. Calcaterra caught the ball well and showed progress with his blocking. This is a big year for him. CJ Uzomah just got cut after an underwhelming summer so EJ Jenkins is likely the #3 TE. Jenkins is a good athlete and has looked good as a receiver. I wondered if Albert O might have a breakout showing, but he’s been up and down.
OL – Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson are all back and will be the foundation of a good OL. Mailata has become a more vocal leader with that Kelce guy now enjoying retirement. Cam Jurgens will be the center and had a good camp. RG is the big question mark. Mekhi Becton was signed to add depth at OT, but he will enter the season as the starter at RG. He’s been up and down as he learns a new offense and a new position. The ups are impressive enough that the coaches want him on the field. Tyler Steen has had to deal with an ankle injury and that has limited him for most of the summer. Fred Johnson has built on his performance from last summer. He looks comfortable as the backup LT. Johnson has been physical in camp and he’s played with an edge. Darian Kinnard has a legit chance to make the team. He played mostly RT and showed good footwork. He still needs work, but has enough size and potential that he is worth keeping around. Rookie Dylan McMahon showed good progress. The more he played, the better he got. I expect him to make the team. Fellow rookie Trevor Keegan had a good summer. He’s a lock to make the team and has a chance to play if there is an injury at OG. He doesn’t have a high ceiling, but he’s tough and physical. And smart.
.@Eagles @bigtrevk #TrevorKeegan played every snap last night. Maybe would like 3 or 4 plays back but overall he played consistent football. #FlyEaglesFly #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/yEHpqtC3VL
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 16, 2024
The mystery man to me is Brett Toth. He’s been with the Eagles off and on since 2019 (or is that 1919?) so there is something they like about him. I thought he really struggled at center. He can play guard and tackle as well. Nick Gates was okay, but I certainly don’t think he did enough to really push for a spot.
DL – Jalen Carter was dominant at times. He looks to be poised for a big year. Jordan Davis is in the best shape of his life. That line is played out to be sure, but Davis did look different. For a guy like him, you need real game action to see him at his best. He’s a bit of a mystery. Milton Williams will be starting with Fletcher Cox now retired. Williams had a good summer. He needs a big year to get a good contract so he should be playing with an edge all year long. Marlon Tuipulotu is the most experienced backup and he’s looked fine, but Moro Ojomo has really impressed. He’s strong and plays with great leverage. He could have a breakout season.
Moro Ojomo is strong pic.twitter.com/eWskRoWnW1
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 16, 2024
Thomas Booker has played well enough to make the team. He is a quick, athletic DT, but is strong enough to play the run. He has been making plays all summer long. PJ Mustipher has a shot at the roster, but I don’t know that he’s done enough. He has played the run well in the preseason games. UDFA Gabe Hall has shown enough potential that I expect him to make the practice squad.
Edge – Josh Sweat flashed, but didn’t have a great summer. I think he’ll be fine. Bryce Huff was up and down. He showed pass rush potential. His big challenge was learning to be an every-down player and improving as a run defender. Huff has shown good progress on that front. BG is BG. This is his final season and I don’t expect him to go out quietly. Nolan Smith has been up and down. There are times when you can see his potential, but he will also disappear. Rookie Jalyx Hunt was thought to be a small school project. He has looked right at home in the NFL, whether rushing the passer, playing the run or even dropping back into coverage. He has a really bright future and might play as a rookie. Patrick Johnson has always played his butt off, whether defense or STs. He’s had another strong summer. The numbers crunch will make it tough on him. I think he could be trade bait for a team that needs depth.
LB – The biggest question heading into the summer could turn out to be a strength. Devin White struggled last year and seems intent on getting back to the kind of player he was in the past. Zack Baun is new to being a starting LB. He has impressed the coaches enough that he’s been a starter all camp long. Baun has played the run well and shown coverage ability.
Zack Baun has had a good start for the Eagles.
Doesn’t allow the blocker to get engaged with him and also doesn’t overpursue and a well balanced attack by the LB. pic.twitter.com/ZftZmazHrD
— Aidan Doc (@AidanDoc__) August 19, 2024
Nakobe Dean suddenly had a crowded group of LBs to battle with. He got off to a slow start and everyone started to wonder if he was going to be a blown draft pick. Then the light went on and he’s been terrific ever since. He will push for a starting job and/or a role on defense. Rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr hasn’t played like a rookie or a 5th round pick. He has been very impressive and looks like a future starter. Ben VanSumeren has been really good on STs and good on defense. He’s more than just an athlete. Oren Burks was projected by many to make the team, but injuries killed his chances. Brandon Smith has been good enough that he would make the team in most years. With the surprising depth at LB, Smith will have to settle for a PS spot.
SAF – CJ Gardner-Johnson is back and making a difference. He’s been good on the field. He’s also brought an edge to the defense, something that was lacking last season. Reed Blankenship will start alongside him. Sydney Brown is still coming back from an injury so the Eagles moved some CBs to the inside. Avonte Maddox has played safety in the past and he looks at home there. James Bradberry knew his only chance to make the team was to try safety. I’m shocked to say he’s shown potential there. He has been a willing tackler and run defender. His coverage is up and down. Since the Eagles have to pay him either way, he’s got a legit chance to make the team. Caden Sterns needs to get healthy. Once that happens, he could push for the final safety spot. Tristin McCollum is an aggressive player on D and STs. I just don’t know that he’s polished enough to warrant a roster spot.
CB – Darius Slay is CB1 and has played like it. Kelee Ringo has taken a big step forward and could start opposite of Slay. Ringo has size and speed. He has shown a better feel for coverage this summer. Rookie Quinyon Mitchell could start outside or in the slot. He is off to an impressive start and looks like the real deal. Isaiah Rodgers has looked good and could see playing time. Rookie Cooper DeJean missed several weeks due to injury, but is playing now and could push for the starting nickel spot at some point. Eli Ricks is dealing with improved competition and it has brought out the best in him. He could make the team or be trade material. Josh Jobe is still good on STs, but he’s not good enough to compete with the improved CBs.
ST – Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato and Braden Mann are a really good trio. VanSumeren will be a key coverage player. Covey will be the primary PR. He’s looked good. We haven’t seen a lot from the KOR unit. The new rules will remain a mystery until we see what teams do in meaningful games.
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