Eagles training camp observations: Johnny Wilson hype train gains steam originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles returned with a vengeance on Monday morning for one of the hottest practices of the summer so far.
They lasted 1 hour and 34 minutes and was steamy.
If Jason Kelce regrets his decision to retire, he made a wise choice by showing up to practice on Monday morning. He had to be grateful he wasn’t wearing pads today:
Let’s look at the observations:
1. As always, housework:
• Before practice, the Eagles signed linebacker Shaquille Quarterman and waived offensive lineman Jason Poe. The Eagles were a little light at the linebacker position.
• Did not train: Oren Burks (knee), Parris Campbell (groin), Mekhi Garner (hamstring), Brandon Smith (concussion)
• Limited: Mechi Becton (illness), Tyler Steen (ankle), Eli Ricks (illness), Josh Jobe (concussion)
• CJ Gardner-Johnson and Cam Jurgens left Monday’s practice early. We’ll know more about them on Tuesday morning.
two. Some notes from the depth chart:
• Becton was the Eagles’ starting right guard at the start of practice, but Steen didn’t participate in any team practices, so that’s not as revealing. We’ll see what happens when they’re both full participants again. Lane Johnson also looked limited, but could have just been a veteran rest; Fred Johnson filled in at right tackle.
• Second-team OL: Max Scharping, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Matt Hennessy, Darian Kinnard
• Third-team OL: Laekin Vakalahi, Nick Gates, McMahon, Scharping, Anim Dankwah
• Johnny Wilson continued to get reps at WR3 with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. More on Wilson in a moment.
• Isaiah Rodgers again got the first crack at first-team reps alongside Darius Slay. This was his fourth day in a row. Rookie Quinyon Mitchell continues to get first-team nickel corner reps.
• Devin White and Zack Baun continue to be the best duo at linebacker.
• Without Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry played first-team safety. It just shows the lack of depth at the position.
3. The Johnny Wilson hype isn’t going away anytime soon. The 6-foot-2 receiver got even more first-team reps on Monday and made the most of it. In the red zone, Wilson made a fantastic catch with Kelee Ringo in coverage. Jalen Hurts threw it over Wilson’s shoulder toward the middle of the end zone and the huge receiver adjusted himself in mid-air and pulled down.
Wilson is getting first-team reps in the slot, but also as an outside receiver when the Eagles move Smith or Brown into the slot. He seems at ease doing both. Wilson also showed some quickness in a 1-on-1 replay against Ringo.
4. In that same red zone period, Smith had a couple of touchdown receptions as his tremendous summer progressed. The first was a slant in front of Reed Blankenship, who simply didn’t have a chance. The second came after Smith was directed into the formation and then broke free just in front of the right post.
5. At the beginning of this practice, the Eagles were in a bench situation and Jordan Davis was able to get into the backfield to force the safety and take the defense off the field. A very good reputation from Big No. 90. Before the safety, Becton was flagged for a false start and it looked like he was beaten to the safety by Davis.
The second team’s offense also failed its backup attack.
6. The second interception of training camp went to Shon Stephens, who had a pick 6 from Tanner McKee in team practice. McKee’s pass bounced off Will Shipley (the intended receiver) and into the arms of Stephens, who looked quick running the other way. Stephens also had a nice tight tackle during a live period later in practice.
The Eagles are so deep that a guy like Stephens has no chance of making the roster. But he has played well and if he puts out a good tape in the preseason he could get a gig elsewhere. Or he could also earn a spot on the practice squad. Stephens came to rookie minicamp on a tryout after playing at Ferris State and West Liberty in college and earned a spot on the 90-man roster, so he’s already a great story.
7. I didn’t watch 7-on-7 today, instead opting for OL vs. OL drills. DL 1 against 1.
• Becton had a very strong reputation against Jalen Carter. Although Carter may have lost his balance a little, Becton was still able to show his strength and threw him to the ground.
• Good inside play by Bryce Huff to cross Jordan Mailata’s face and get into the defense. Huff will set everything up with his speed, but he might be able to cheat a little.
• Cam Jurgens has his work cut out against Jordan Davis in these 1-on-1s and despite probably still losing to the power today, he held up relatively well.
• Whenever I start to question why the Eagles continue to invest time in Brett Toth, he ends up looking pretty good. This happened in the last few days in these 1 on 1. Today, he had a great reputation against Marlon Tuipulotu on the inside.
• Max Scharping had a rep at left tackle and managed to put Nolan Smith well away from the target.
• Seeing good moments for veteran Terrell Lewis, who had another against newcomer Anim Dankwah in a 1-1. Julian Okwara also beat Dankwah at the rim.
• With Kelce watching, Dylan McMahon stopped a bullrush from the great PJ Mustipher.
• It’s worth noting that Zack Baun is taking reps at 1-on-1, even though all of his practice reps were taken at off-ball linebacker. He’s keeping his pass rushing skills sharp.
• I was a little late getting to the 1-on-1, but Lane Johnson wasn’t there. Instead, Josh Sweat faced Fred Johnson, which was probably a welcome change. Lane Johnson is basically a brick wall in these drills.
8. Vic Fangio is letting Nakobe Dean blitz a little and he looks good doing it. Dean on Monday beat Will Shipley by a “fire.” Dean has had some shaky moments in coverage, but he seems to be at his best when he’s down.
Shipley appears to be a willing pass protector, but he also got beat by Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for a sack the other day at the Linc. If the rookie wants to see the field on third downs, he needs to be able to block.
9. Zach Baun blew up a missed screen pass to Saquon Barkley for what would have been a TFL. Baun was happy with the play, but said his eyes fell on a Lew Nichols touchdown late in practice. Still, Baun looks solid.
And Jalyx Hunt blew a tight screen for Dallas Goedert when the first-team offense was facing the second-team defense.
But the second team’s offense had great success on the TE screen for Grant Calcaterra, who was able to make a deflected pass and keep the momentum going. He caught the ball and had horses in front of him.
10. Some notes on WR vs. DB 1 vs 1:
• Before CJGJ left practice, he had a great reputation against Dallas Goedert. Goedert got a step ahead of him, but Gardner-Johnson recovered to get a PBU.
• DeVonta Smith caught passes against Quinyon Mitchell twice with quick moves to gain an inch, but Mitchell had very tight coverage. After seeing a lot of Mitchell vs. Brown, it’s fun to see Mitchell vs. DeVonta.
• A rare interception on 1-on-1 when Trevor Hall cut a pass to Ainias Smith for the pick. Smith also had a fall before. The rookie is struggling a bit.
• Johnny Wilson showed some maneuvering at the line to separate himself from Kelee Ringo.
• Shaq Davis had the opportunity to make a great catch down the left sideline, but was unable to maintain control through contact with the ground.
Stupid observation of the day: Before practice, several skilled guys will catch balls from the JUGS machine. This is normal. But today, punter Braden Mann was out there catching balls. He was practicing taking long snaps and then getting into his punting form.
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