Quick Takes: 5 observations from the Eagles’ first practice of training camp
Eagles football is finally back.
The team kicked off training camp today with their first practice in front of reporters at the NovaCare Complex. Players took part in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 red zone drills in the 58-minute practice.
Here are my five takeaways.
First-team starters
Prior to the practice, Sirianni stated that the RG spot is essentially Isaac Seumalo’s to lose. That looks to hold true as Seumalo got the first-team reps. Cam Jurgens got first-team reps at center with Jason Kelce out due to COVID-19.
On the defensive end, TJ Edwards and Kyzir White were the first-team linebackers — just as they were in OTA’s. They look to be the starters on opening day as Philadelphia brings Nakobe Dean along. Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat began the day as the first-team edge rushers. Graham stated after practice that he’s a “full-go” following his Achilles injury.
New acquisition Haason Reddick rushed the quarterback and dropped into coverage quite a bit.
Marcus Epps and K’Von Wallace got the first-team reps at safety with Anthony Harris out. Jaquiski Tartt and Andre Chachere were the second-team safeties.
Isaac Seumalo first up at RG. Edwards and White were LBs in nickel. Graham and Sweat were edge rushers.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) July 27, 2022
Quez Watkins shines
Watkins made a few nice catches today. He outmuscled Avonte Maddox on a TD out the slot and caught another pass in the back of the endzone later on.
With all the deserved attention on AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, Quez is bound to take advantage of mismatches regardless of where he lines up.
Quez Watkins executed a very nice tip-toe reception for TD from Jalen Hurts, who rolled to his right and throw across his body. #Eagles Hurts has now connected with Brown, Smith, Reagor, Gainwell and Watkins for passing TDs today.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) July 27, 2022
Jalen Reagor Revenge Tour?
You can only take so much away from one practice, but Jalen Reagor looked quick and spry in his reps. He found the endzone early on a shovel pass from Gardner Minshew and beat Zech McPhearson for another score on a corner route.
If there’s one player that has the most to prove this season (other than JJAW), it’s Jalen Reagor. Today’s practice was a good start.
Jalen Reagor getting some cheers from some Eagles fans after a TD
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 27, 2022
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DeVonta Smith drop
Smith executed a filthy slant route on what would’ve been a touchdown, but he dropped an easy ball from Hurts. Obviously no cause for concern; just an uncharacteristic mistake. He subjected himself to pushups afterward as punishment.
Later, Zech McPhearson broke up another pass intended for Smith, who almost pulled off the one-handed catch. Just one of those days.
DeVonta Smith with a nasty release at the line (drew ooooooh’s from the select Eagles season ticket holders in attendance) but dropped the pass for a would-be TD on a slant.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 27, 2022
Jalen Hurts looked solid
Hurts had a good practice overall, but not without hiccups. In his first 11-on-11 red zone rep, Hurts was 4/4 passing with two TDs, one to Kenneth Gainwell and the other to AJ Brown. His TD to Watkins with Maddox in coverage was a beautiful back shoulder throw.
On a later sequence, one pass slipped out of Hurts’ hand and was nearly picked off by Brandon Graham but Lane Johnson knocked it out. Hurts was then intercepted by Marcus Epps on a late throw intended for Dallas Goedert, although Epps made an excellent play jumping in front of the out-route.
Hurts came back with another touchdown throw to Quez on the ensuing play.
There was one play where Hurts had Watkins open in the endzone but elected to take off instead. Those are the habits Hurts has to break out of, but four TDs and just three incompletions altogether on the day.
Jalen Hurts —> A.J. Brown pic.twitter.com/GCRDySxrnQ
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) July 27, 2022
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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff | Getty Images
