Eagles Coaching Camp Apply Notes: Nolan Smith contributes to line of defense dominance

Monday marked the fourth Philadelphia Eagles coaching camp apply forward of the 2024 season. At present’s session lasted for about 90 minutes. Right here’s what I noticed on the NovaCare Advanced.

EAGLES PRACTICE NOTES

JALEN HURTS UPDATE: At present was simply Hurts’ worst apply to this point this summer time.

In equity, the Eagles’ beginning quarterback was continuously below stress with Tyler Steen and Lane Johnson lacking from the beginning offensive line. However Hurts exacerbated his safety’s struggles by holding onto the ball for an eternity.

Hurts nonetheless hasn’t put the ball in hurt’s approach, which is clearly good. And he did have back-to-back completions to Will Shipley and Kenny Gainwell (the wheel route remains to be undefeated) in 7-on-7.

However Hurts missed an opportunity for a spotlight completion when he significantly overthrew an open John Ross ultimately zone. The wobbly ball was his most off-target miss to this point in camp.

Hurts had a deep completion to DeVonta Smith for a landing however it got here after Milton Williams had him lifeless to rights within the backfield for a “sack.” Avonte Maddox was trailing nicely behind DeVonta with the thought that the play was already over. DeVonta made a formidable sideline catch that additionally got here after Hurts was doubtless “sacked.”

I used to be initially desirous about going “thumbs sideways” for Hurts for the reason that offense’s struggles weren’t fully his fault. However I leaned in direction of the beneficiant facet on Day 3 once I was between up/sideways. So I’ll lean in direction of the opposite facet and go thumbs down right here to steadiness it out on this very severe and scientific exercise.

Day 1: Thumbs up

Day 2: Thumbs up

Day 3: Thumbs up

Day 4: Thumbs down

EAGLES INJURY UPDATES: Nick Sirianni stated Tyler Steen (ankle) shall be out “slightly bit.” Saquon Barkley (private causes) and Lane Johnson (toe) didn’t apply. Johnson’s damage just isn’t thought of severe. Trevor Keegan (arm) left apply early however returned to the sector after a visit contained in the group’s facility. Keegan was seen signing autographs after apply, so, possibly it’s nothing too severe. Brett Toth (hamstring) was upgraded to restricted after sitting out the primary three days. Oren Burks (knee) hasn’t practiced for the reason that first day of camp. Sydney Brown remains to be on energetic/PUP and Cooper DeJean remains to be on energetic/NFI.
With Steen and Lane Johnson out, the Eagles had Mekhi Becton at proper guard and Fred Johnson at proper deal with. The altered second-team offensive line appeared like this from left to proper: Anim Dankwah, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Matt Hennessy, Darian Kinnard. Hennessy was beforehand the second-team middle and Kinnard had been taking part in at guard.
Kudos to the Eagles’ line of defense for making the most of a weakened offensive line. Nolan Smith particularly stood out with back-to-back “sacks” on Hurts. His first got here when he used his flexibility to dip below Fred Johnson and get to Hurts earlier than the quarterback might even notice what occurred; a really fast win. On the subsequent rep, Smith used an inside transfer to get previous Johnson and get to Hurts. Clearly have to see Smith have success in opposition to larger high quality competitors however this was an encouraging day for his improvement.

CORNERBACK TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the third day in a row, Kelee Ringo took the primary first-team cornerback reps throughout from Darius Slay in 11-on-11. That’s three for Ringo to at least one for Isaiah Rodgers. However it was Rodgers who arguably made the play of the day by flattening a Kenny Pickett cross ultimately zone to stop a deep landing to Joseph Ngata. It was a great ball by the backup quarterback; he gave his receiver an opportunity to make the seize. However it was a good higher play by Rodgers, who continues to reveal spectacular ball abilities.

LINEBACKER TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the fourth day in a row, Devin White and Zack Baun have been the primary first-team linebackers in 11-on-11. White continues to look explosive. The veteran linebacker had nice protection on a brief cross to Will Shipley within the flat. White almost broke up the cross however needed to accept pushing the operating again out of bounds instantly after the ball was caught. Final 12 months’s Eagles linebackers weren’t doing something like that in apply.
With Barkley out, Will Shipley noticed an elevated workload. It didn’t take lengthy into apply for him to log a number of targets, together with the aforementioned wheel route catch. That was a pleasant hands-extended, over-the-shoulder seize by the rookie. Shipley is trying like a reasonably pure pass-catcher.
A remark from Avonte Maddox’s post-practice press convention mirrored a actuality we’ve seen: Eagles vast receivers are lining up in several spots extra usually. Maddox particularly stated he’s seeing DeVonta within the slot extra usually than earlier than.
Johnny Wilson noticed some extra first-team reps once more in the present day. He didn’t do something with them that actually stood out however it’s nonetheless noteworthy. Regardless of being drafted later than Ainias Smith, Wilson may need a greater likelihood of constructing the group and having some type of offensive position.
Second-team security James Bradberry had a pleasant diving cross breakup on a Pickett cross thrown over the center. First time Bradberry has popped this summer time.
Not a fantastic apply for Tyrion Davis-Value, who dropped a number of passes. TDP handled drops and in addition had a fumble again in spring practices.
Griffin Hebert made a snazzy snag on a Will Grier throw throughout the developmental interval in direction of the tip of apply. Second apply the place Hebert has stood out. Could possibly be making his case to be on the apply squad once more.
Sorry for the delay in getting in the present day’s notes posted. My automotive failing to start out after apply wasn’t a really enjoyable or welcomed improvement.

UP NEXT: The Eagles apply once more tomorrow beginning at 10:00 AM Jap. It’ll be their first padded apply now that the mandated ramp up interval is over.