The Philadelphia Eagles formally wrapped up their offseason exercise program final week. Now let’s check out the winners and losers that stood out from attending 5 spring practices within the type of two days of voluntary OTAs and three obligatory minicamp periods.
I initially meant for this to be one “winners and losers” article however I went approach too lengthy on the winners, so, it’s now a two-part sequence. Listed below are the losers.
Disclaimer: These had been non-contact drills (no pads), there was restricted 11-on-11 work, and gamers are adjusting to newly carried out schemes. There’s nonetheless loads of time for gamers to alter their outlook — for higher or worse — over the course of coaching camp and preseason video games.
LOSERS
QB JALEN HURTS
Absolutely I gained’t be accused of hating Jalen Hurts by together with him right here, proper? It’s OK to level out that he didn’t look tremendous sharp — not like how he did throughout 2022 OTAs — this spring? And that he threw extra interceptions than you’d ideally prefer to see whereas additionally seemingly not finishing a cross over 20 yards? As a result of that’s my sincere impression … and if yow will discover a fellow apply observer who completely disagrees with this characterization, be my visitor.
Now, how a lot does all of it actually matter? I don’t know. Perhaps not an excessive amount of. It’s fairly attainable that Hurts is taking time to regulate to an offense that’s “95%” new. Maybe issues begin to click on for him in coaching camp and he doesn’t look again from there.
Within the massive image, I really feel like I’m extra optimistic about Hurts than not. He’s solely 25, he’s performed at an especially excessive degree on the largest attainable stage, and the Eagles have gained 27 of his final 36 begins.
That being stated, I felt a little bit higher about his outlook coming into spring practices than I do leaving them. Between the on-field struggles and his curious feedback about Nick Sirianni, I can’t say the vibes are immaculate and every thing is trending in a constructive approach.
Inventory Down™
QB WILL GRIER
Coming into spring practices, it appeared like Grier would possibly be capable to “compete” for QB3. However he didn’t even take a single rep in workforce drills. He’s clearly QB4 behind Hurts, Kenny Pickett, and Tanner McKee. And the latter two quarterbacks had good spring showings.
RB SAQUON BARKLEY
I’d prefer to re-stress the previous disclaimer that we noticed little 11-on-11 motion and it’s not just like the Eagles had been working the ball in non-contact drills. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply working backs can’t shine in any respect. Living proof: I included Will Shipley within the “winners” from spring practices. The rookie confirmed some capability as a pass-catcher. It will’ve been good to see Saquon Barkley have a spotlight rep or two however none of his targets resulted in something noteworthy. In a constructive approach, a minimum of. There was a rep the place Zack Baun was working stride-for-stride with Barkley down the left sideline to seemingly stop a throw his approach. Good rep for Baun … however don’t you need a working again who ran a 4.40 40-yard sprint creating some separation from an edge-rusher-turned-off-ball-linebacker who examined at 4.65 seconds?
My overarching concern with the Barkley signing is NOT that he’s going to be dangerous and ineffective. I feel Saquon can be tremendous. However the Eagles are paying him to be greater than merely tremendous. Amongst all NFL working backs, he ranks fifth in whole worth, fourth in common annual worth, third in whole assured worth, and first in totally assured worth. There’s an expectation that Barkley can be SPECIAL … and I don’t assume he’s been that participant since a lot earlier in his profession. I’d like to be flawed however his relative invisibility in spring practices doesn’t depart me feeling higher about his outlook.
RB TYRION DAVIS-PRICE
TDP someway fumbled throughout non-contact drills and in addition dropped a examine down cross throughout his restricted reps. Not nice.
WR AINIAS SMITH
Smith missed some apply time as a restricted participant earlier than being upgrading to full go by the top of minicamp. It’s attainable he’s nonetheless knocking the rust off … and he did have a very good seize behind the top zone throughout a purple zone drill (though a apply official dominated him out) … however he had extra downs than ups. Smith had certainly one of his very restricted targets cross bounce off of his face masks and he muffed a number of punts, which ought to rule him out for that function. Smith was clearly much less spectacular than fellow rookie Johnny Wilson. We’ll see if that adjustments in coaching camp.
On a brighter observe, I’ve been having fun with Smith’s YouTube movies. I’d advocate checking them out for some cool behind-the-scenes footage:
WR JOSEPH NGATA
Ngata noticed first-team reps in OTAs with DeVonta Smith not attending voluntary periods. He didn’t do something to face out in a constructive approach. Hurts clearly most well-liked Parris Campbell to him.
WR JACOB HARRIS
Harris flashed some pace throughout the first media-attended OTA session however didn’t make two contested catches. He then missed the remainder of spring practices. Lengthy photographs want all of the reps they will get to show they belong on the roster.
OL MATT HENNESSY
Coming into OTAs, there was thought that Hennessy would possibly combine in at first-team proper guard. However he didn’t; it was Tyler Steen who took all of the reps there. With Landon Dickerson excused from minicamp, there was a possibility for Hennessy to be the first-team left guard. However the Eagles as a substitute put Mekhi Becton, who hasn’t performed guard within the NFL, in Dickerson’s place. The Eagles additionally lately signed Max Scharping, who’s one other veteran guard with beginning expertise. Hennessy is dealing with extra competitors for enjoying time than initially thought.
LB NAKOBE DEAN
Dean didn’t take part in workforce drills throughout the Eagles’ first media-attended OTA apply. Within the second apply, he rotated in with the first-team protection. Throughout minicamp, Dean noticed sparse motion with the starters, as a substitute principally repping with the second-team unit. Contemplating Howie Roseman’s endorsement of Dean earlier this offseason, the pondering right here is that the entrance workplace likes him greater than the teaching employees does. It’s nonetheless attainable that Dean finally ends up incomes a beginning job … however White and Baun at the moment look like the highest two linebackers. Each of these gamers made extra performs throughout spring practices than I’ve seen from Dean within the entirety of his profession.
CB ELI RICKS
Ricks was the uncommon cornerback who didn’t stand out in a great way this spring. The one time I ever observed him was when he obtained beat … together with by tryout participant Griffin Hebert. The competitors is so fierce at nook that, even when Ricks regarded good, he’s in a difficult spot to earn his roster spot. One other issue working towards Ricks is that fellow depth cornerback Josh Jobe is the superior particular groups participant. I’m wondering if the Eagles would possibly attempt to commerce Ricks for extra depth at one other place … say, receiver?
CB ZECH MCPHEARSON
Upon seeing McPhearson’s identify on the official Eagles web site’s roster web page, I legitimately forgot he was on the workforce. I don’t even recall seeing him at spring practices. It’s fairly attainable he’s not wholesome sufficient to apply but after struggling an Achilles tear final August. Even so, you usually see injured gamers watching apply from the sideline. Final yr right now, McPhearson had a respectable shot to be the Eagles’ backup nickel cornerback. This yr, he’s dealing with a ton of competitors simply to even make the roster and the missed apply time isn’t serving to his case.
S (?) JAMES BRADBERRY
Bradberry didn’t attend voluntary OTAs after which obtained “damage” about two minutes into his first obligatory minicamp apply. With so many different gamers shining at cornerback, it’s laborious to justify holding him round. And a transition to security doesn’t even actually make sense; he’s not going to be a starter and he’s not going to offer worth as a backup who doesn’t play particular groups. The Eagles are seemingly holding on to him with the hope that they will get something again in a commerce. Groups will in all probability name their bluff and simply await them to ultimately lower him.
