Tuesday marked the twelfth Philadelphia Eagles coaching camp follow forward of the 2024 season. The Birds squared off towards the New England Patriots within the one and solely joint coaching camp session between the 2 groups main as much as Thursday night time’s preseason sport. Right here’s what I noticed on the Pats’ follow fields stationed proper outdoors Gillette Stadium in Foxborough (Foxboro?), Massachusetts.
EAGLES PRACTICE NOTES
• JALEN HURTS UPDATE: 12 practices within the books and nonetheless zero (0) interceptions thrown by the Eagles’ beginning quarterback. Appears fairly good!
Hurts did put the ball in hurt’s means as soon as immediately. The Patriots had been near arising with a choose on a ball that was thrown to Dallas Goedert in site visitors. That’s simply the third time this summer season I can recall Hurts practically turning the ball over. The opposite two: Kelee Ringo failing to catch a cross thrown proper at him early in camp after which Bryce Huff dropping a choose after dropping right into a protection (and certain complicated Hurts?) throughout the open follow at Lincoln Monetary Subject. It’s a very good factor when the errors are so few that they vividly stand out.
Getting again to the constructive, Hurts had success concentrating on A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith again and again and over on this follow. There simply wasn’t a lot the Patriots might do to cease these connections. The ball barely touched the bottom in crew drills, particularly early on.
A few of Hurts’ flashiest completions included a deep ball to DeVonta for a landing with Kyle Dugger trailing and a throw dropped proper within the bucket for Saquon Barkley to make an over-the-shoulder landing catch in stride on the wheel route with Matthew Judon trailing.
A lot much less flashy however nonetheless very vital: Hurts’ consolation degree scanning your entire discipline, going by means of his reads, after which decisively checking right down to the open receiver. This consequence is way preferable to him usually holding onto the ball for an eternity after which drifting out of the pocket solely to throw it away or take off operating. Clearly, there are occasions when it is sensible for Hurts to increase the play and attempt to make one thing occur. However generally it’s essential to not pressure the problem, take what the protection is giving, and get to the following play.
Day 1: Thumbs up
Day 2: Thumbs up
Day 3: Thumbs up
Day 4: Thumbs down
Day 5: Thumbs sideways
Day 6: Thumbs up
Day 7: Thumbs up
Day 8: Thumbs up
Day 9: Thumbs up
Day 10: Thumbs up
Day 11: Thumbs up
Day 12: Thumbs up
• EAGLES INJURY UPDATES:
The massive information is that Cooper DeJean was formally activated from the lively/NFI record. The rookie was a restricted participant, so, he bought some place work in however didn’t participate in crew drills. Talking after follow, DeJean mentioned enjoying in subsequent week’s preseason sport towards the Minnesota Vikings is a sensible objective. (He received’t be enjoying this Thursday night time.) DeJean lacking at the very least 12 practices price of crew drills actually isn’t supreme however there’s nonetheless a while for him to make a constructive impression earlier than Week 1.
Parris Campbell (groin) returned to follow in a restricted capability. He didn’t partake in crew drills.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (shoulder) missed his fourth straight follow.
Caden Sterns (knee) has but to follow since signing with the Eagles.
Grant Calcaterra (shoulder) and Albert Okwuegbunam (stomach) missed their second straight follow.
Brandon Smith (concussion) and Mekhi Garner (hamstring) had been restricted once more. They had been capable of do some crew drill work.
Patrick Johnson (decrease leg contusion) upgraded to full participation after being restricted on Sunday.
Oren Burks (knee) nonetheless hasn’t practiced because the first day of camp.
Sydney Brown remains to be on lively/PUP.
• RIGHT GUARD TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Mekhi Becton was the first-team proper guard but once more. Some Eagles follow observers famous that the inside offensive line was having some points permitting stress and that a lot was obvious in a drill late in follow when the Eagles had been attempting to place a drive collectively. The offense appeared a bit out of rhythm between some penalties and cross safety issues.
• CORNERBACK TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Isaiah Rodgers took the primary first-team cornerback reps throughout from Darius Slay in 11-on-11. That’s now 9 days for Rodgers (eight in a row) and three for Kelee Ringo. Rogers didn’t stand out in immediately’s follow, which might be a very good factor. Ringo was extra noticeable in up-and-down style. Ringo dropped a leaping choose ultimately zone. He additionally allowed a deep catch to outdated buddy Jalen Reagor on a bizarre rep the place it appeared like he misplayed the ball within the air? Quinyon Mitchell continued to take first-team nickel reps. Mitchell appeared sticky in protection throughout 1-on-1 drills early in follow.
• LINEBACKER TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the primary time this summer season, Devin White and Zack Baun had been NOT the primary first-team linebackers up in 11-on-11. As a substitute, it was Nakobe Dean and White. However the Eagles additionally used numerous totally different combos at linebacker on this follow. Working example: Ben VanSumeren and Brandon Smith had been paired up with the remainder of the first-team protection at instances. Dean had a rep early in follow the place he appeared gradual masking out in area and trailing behind a pass-catcher. He later bought some redemption by knocking the ball out of Austin Hooper’s fingers ultimately zone to create a tipped ball that was immediately caught by Baun for an interception. Dean and the protection had been actually fired up about that cease. Dean later had a “sack” as a blitzer … and a very good “deal with” on particular groups kickoff protection. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who was initially paired with Baun on the second-team protection, picked off a brief Jacoby Brissett cross over the center by reaching in entrance of the supposed goal and taking the ball away. Good job by the rook. A blitzing Baun bought to Drake Maye for a “sack.” BVS bought his hand on a Bailey Zappe cross and the ball deflected into the air however no Eagles defender was capable of choose it.
• WR3 TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Johnny Wilson had a tough go in 1-on-1s. He noticed quite a few targets from Hurts however the two simply weren’t clicking. Distinction that with how Hurts didn’t have points throwing in direction of A.J. and DeVonta. It appeared like Wilson could have been getting knocked off his routes. Wilson has had a very good camp relative to expectations for a participant chosen however he’s hardly appeared so good that he will be relied upon because the full-time WR3. Most likely greatest suited to be a rotational role-player.
• QB2 TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Simplified model: Pickett was OK and Tanner McKee didn’t do a lot that was noteworthy.
• TE3 TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: With Calcaterra out, C.J. Uzomah was the second tight finish in first-team 12 personnel. Nevertheless it was E.J. Jenkins who had the flashiest follow of any TE3 contender. Jenkins generated good separation on a nook path to get comfortably open for a Pickett landing. He additionally had some good grabs in 1-on-1s.
• Jordan Davis bought dapped up by his teammates after a rep the place he exploded into the backfield to assist pressure Brissett out of the pocket. The Eagles’ line of defense and linebacker corps as a complete was very lively in producing stress, as famous by a Patriots reporter:
I’ve misplaced rely of the quantity sacks generated by the Eagles. A tough follow for the Patriots O-line
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 13, 2024
• Bryce Huff had a “sack.” Nolan Smith bought to Drake Maye for a “sack” by beating Calvin Anderson at left deal with.
• The revenge of Christian Elliss: the previous Eagles linebacker blew Isaiah Rodgers on a kick return rep, which triggered a fumble. There was a scuffle and massive scrum that consisted of gamers from each groups on the following play however nobody bought ejected from follow. Not a real battle that bought ugly by any means.
• The Pats didn’t cease A.J. Brown usually however kudos to Christian Gonzalez for breaking apart a cross thrown his means in 7-on-7.
• Darius Slay logged a cross breakup on a throw to a goal within the flat.
• Whereas Nakobe Dean broke up a would-be Austin Hooper catch earlier in follow, it was James Bradberry who denied him a second time. The cornerback-turned-safety ranged over to the left sideline and bumped the tight finish earlier than possession was established, inflicting the ball to come back lose for an incompletion. Heady and bodily play by the vet.
• Reed Blankenship had some good protection reps in 1-on-1. He did later get known as for DPI throughout a crew drill.
• John Ross caught a deep cross from Pickett in 7-on-7. Good to lastly see him present up as a vertical menace. Ross had a nasty drop late in follow.
• Darian Kinnard bought beat unhealthy at proper deal with to permit a “sack” on Pickett.
• Nick Sirianni’s pre-practice press convention passed off in an space not too distant from a fan part. After the presser, the Eagles’ head coach bought chirped by a Patriots fan who yelled out: “Sirianni, Invoice [Belichick]’s taking your job subsequent yr!”
• Massive Dom and Lane Johnson are apparently fashionable with Patriots followers:
• I don’t suppose the Patriots are going to be excellent this yr. The protection could be stable however the offense … woof. Along with turning the ball over twice (and having one other choose dropped), Brissett merely missed some throws that had been very a lot there to be made. With out even understanding what the Patriots’ projected win complete, I’m tempted to take the underneath.
• NEW HAVEN PIZZA REVIEW: I stayed in New Haven, Connecticut for this journey up north. As a big-time pizza aficionado, I used to be lured by all of the hype that New Haven pizza will get. I attempted two totally different locations: Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe’s.* My take: Frank Pepe’s is the superior possibility. Sally’s plain** pizza was a bit too dry/missing in taste for me however their pepperoni model helped tackle these points. However Frank Pepe’s pepperoni and plain each actually labored for me. I believe Frank Pepe’s makes use of extra cheese, which is up my alley.
Whereas I do have respect for New Haven model, I’d argue that the highest pizza in Philly bests these spots. Angelo’s and Pizza Jawn and my 1A/1B in that regard.
Relating to the easiest pizza in america, I keep that New York is a bit overrated (although nonetheless clearly good) and New Jersey is a bit underrated. I’m most likely biased from rising up close to the realm however Trenton tomato pie (to not be confused with Philly’s model of tomato pie) remains to be my GOAT. Do your self a favor and get to DeLorenzo’s in Yardley or DeLorenzo’s the Burg in Levittown and thank me later. For those who can’t get out to the burbs, there’s an amazing pop-up at Cartesian Brewing on Passyunk in South Philly (very near Pat’s and Geno’s) known as CJ and D’s that’s very a lot price your time.
*I additionally wished to get to Trendy Apizza however time didn’t enable.
**I say “plain pizza” as a substitute of “cheese pizza.” Who’s with me?
• Enjoyable truth: Former Eagles backup offensive lineman and New England native Jack Driscoll is a giant Sally’s fan. Definitely didn’t count on to see his jersey once I went there!
UP NEXT: The Eagles have a walkthrough closed to media entry on Wednesday earlier than taking up the Patriots in Thursday night time’s preseason sport. Kickoff is ready for 7:00 PM Jap.
