Tuesday marked the twelfth Philadelphia Eagles coaching camp apply 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 recreation. Right here’s what I noticed on the Pats’ apply fields stationed proper exterior 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 method as soon as right now. The Patriots have been near developing with a decide on a ball that was thrown to Dallas Goedert in visitors. That’s simply the third time this summer time I can recall Hurts almost turning the ball over. The opposite two: Kelee Ringo failing to catch a go thrown proper at him early in camp after which Bryce Huff dropping a decide after dropping right into a protection (and sure complicated Hurts?) in the course of the open apply at Lincoln Monetary Subject. It’s a great factor when the errors are so few that they vividly stand out.
Getting again to the constructive, Hurts had success focusing on A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith time and again and over on this apply. There simply wasn’t a lot the Patriots might do to cease these connections. The ball barely touched the bottom in group 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 essential: Hurts’ consolation stage scanning your entire subject, going by way of his reads, after which decisively checking all the way down to the open receiver. This consequence is far preferable to him commonly holding onto the ball for an eternity after which drifting out of the pocket solely to throw it away or take off working. Clearly, there are occasions when it is smart for Hurts to increase the play and attempt to make one thing occur. However generally it’s essential to not power the difficulty, take what the protection is giving, and get to the subsequent 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 large information is that Cooper DeJean was formally activated from the energetic/NFI record. The rookie was a restricted participant, so, he obtained some place work in however didn’t participate in group drills. Talking after apply, DeJean stated enjoying in subsequent week’s preseason recreation towards the Minnesota Vikings is a practical objective. (He gained’t be enjoying this Thursday night time.) DeJean lacking at the least 12 practices price of group drills definitely isn’t perfect however there’s nonetheless a while for him to make a constructive impression earlier than Week 1.
Parris Campbell (groin) returned to apply in a restricted capability. He didn’t partake in group drills.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (shoulder) missed his fourth straight apply.
Caden Sterns (knee) has but to apply since signing with the Eagles.
Grant Calcaterra (shoulder) and Albert Okwuegbunam (stomach) missed their second straight apply.
Brandon Smith (concussion) and Mekhi Garner (hamstring) have been restricted once more. They have been capable of do some group drill work.
Patrick Johnson (decrease leg contusion) upgraded to full participation after being restricted on Sunday.
Oren Burks (knee) nonetheless hasn’t practiced for the reason that first day of camp.
Sydney Brown remains to be on energetic/PUP.
• RIGHT GUARD TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Mekhi Becton was the first-team proper guard but once more. Some Eagles apply observers famous that the inside offensive line was having some points permitting strain and that a lot was obvious in a drill late in apply when the Eagles have been making an attempt to place a drive collectively. The offense seemed a bit out of rhythm between some penalties and go 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 right now’s apply, which might be a great factor. Ringo was extra noticeable in up-and-down style. Ringo dropped a leaping decide ultimately zone. He additionally allowed a deep catch to outdated pal Jalen Reagor on a bizarre rep the place it seemed like he misplayed the ball within the air? Quinyon Mitchell continued to take first-team nickel reps. Mitchell seemed sticky in protection throughout 1-on-1 drills early in apply.
• LINEBACKER TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the primary time this summer time, Devin White and Zack Baun have 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 a variety of totally different mixtures at linebacker on this apply. Working example: Ben VanSumeren and Brandon Smith have been paired up with the remainder of the first-team protection at instances. Dean had a rep early in apply the place he seemed gradual masking out in area and trailing behind a pass-catcher. He later obtained some redemption by knocking the ball out of Austin Hooper’s arms ultimately zone to create a tipped ball that was immediately caught by Baun for an interception. Dean and the protection have been actually fired up about that cease. Dean later had a “sack” as a blitzer … and a great “sort out” 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 go over the center by reaching in entrance of the supposed goal and taking the ball away. Good job by the rook. A blitzing Baun obtained to Drake Maye for a “sack.” BVS obtained his hand on a Bailey Zappe go and the ball deflected into the air however no Eagles defender was capable of decide it.
• WR3 TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Johnny Wilson had a tough go in 1-on-1s. He noticed a variety of targets from Hurts however the two simply weren’t clicking. Distinction that with how Hurts didn’t have points throwing in the direction of A.J. and DeVonta. It appeared like Wilson could have been getting knocked off his routes. Wilson has had a great camp relative to expectations for a participant chosen however he’s hardly seemed so good that he could be relied upon because the full-time WR3. In all probability finest 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. But it surely was E.J. Jenkins who had the flashiest apply 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 obtained dapped up by his teammates after a rep the place he exploded into the backfield to assist power Brissett out of the pocket. The Eagles’ line of defense and linebacker corps as a complete was very energetic in producing strain, as famous by a Patriots reporter:
I’ve misplaced rely of the quantity sacks generated by the Eagles. A tough apply for the Patriots O-line
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 13, 2024
• Bryce Huff had a “sack.” Nolan Smith obtained to Drake Maye for a “sack” by beating Calvin Anderson at left sort out.
• The revenge of Christian Elliss: the previous Eagles linebacker blew Isaiah Rodgers on a kick return rep, which brought on a fumble. There was a scuffle and large scrum that consisted of gamers from each groups on the subsequent play however nobody obtained ejected from apply. Not a real struggle that obtained ugly by any means.
• The Pats didn’t cease A.J. Brown typically however kudos to Christian Gonzalez for breaking apart a go thrown his method in 7-on-7.
• Darius Slay logged a go breakup on a throw to a goal within the flat.
• Whereas Nakobe Dean broke up a would-be Austin Hooper catch earlier in apply, 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 return 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 group drill.
• John Ross caught a deep go from Pickett in 7-on-7. Good to lastly see him present up as a vertical risk. Ross had a foul drop late in apply.
• Darian Kinnard obtained beat unhealthy at proper sort out to permit a “sack” on Pickett.
• Nick Sirianni’s pre-practice press convention befell in an space not too distant from a fan part. After the presser, the Eagles’ head coach obtained chirped by a Patriots fan who yelled out: “Sirianni, Invoice [Belichick]’s taking your job subsequent yr!”
• Massive Dom and Lane Johnson are apparently in style with Patriots followers:
• I don’t suppose the Patriots are going to be superb this yr. The protection could be strong however the offense … woof. Along with turning the ball over twice (and having one other decide dropped), Brissett merely missed some throws that have been very a lot there to be made. With out even understanding what the Patriots’ projected win complete, I’m tempted to take the below.
• 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 choice. Sally’s plain** pizza was a bit too dry/missing in taste for me however their pepperoni model helped deal with these points. However Frank Pepe’s pepperoni and plain each actually labored for me. I feel 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.
On the subject of the perfect pizza in the US, 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 incredible 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 Fashionable Apizza however time didn’t permit.
**I say “plain pizza” as a substitute of “cheese pizza.” Who’s with me?
• Enjoyable reality: Former Eagles backup offensive lineman and New England native Jack Driscoll is an enormous Sally’s fan. Actually 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 recreation. Kickoff is ready for 7:00 PM Japanese.