Eagles Wake-Up Call: Checking In on Nick Foles
With Mike Kafka sidelined 2-3 weeks because of a broken hand, Nick Foles (The Chosen One) got to run with the second team Saturday. Here’s how he fared in the afternoon practice:
Foles tried to recreate Thursday’s magic with a bomb down the left sideline to Mardy Gilyard to start things off. This time, though, Brandon Hughes made a nice play on the ball to force an incompletion.
During one-on-ones, Foles’ quick out to DeSean Jackson was broken up by Nnamdi Asomugha. He responded with a deep pass to Tiger Jones down the right sideline that dropped right over the defender and into the waiting hands of his receiver. One of the top plays of the day.
There were mixed results against the blitz. He was able to beat the pressure on one occasion with a quick pop to Marvin McNutt, who found daylight. Other times he was unable to get the ball off.
There were a couple ducks and a couple beauties. The type of up-and-down play, in other words, that you would expect out of a rookie. Foles has an opportunity to make things interesting. Let’s see if he can find his stroke against New England now that injury has allowed him to take a step up the depth chart.
WHAT YOU MISSED
A whole bunch, actually. A very newsy Saturday. Super-agent Bob LaMonte stirred things up during his drop-by Eagles training camp, telling a small group of reporters that Jeffrey Lurie has stated to him on numerous occasions that as long as he is the owner, Andy Reid will be the coach. Lurie felt compelled to issue a statement in response. Read all about it here.
Michael Vick’s thumb is still a bit swollen but he was able to practice. He described the injury as “petty.” Vick has a new left tackle, at least for the week, as King Dunlap has taken over for Demetress Bell.
Sheil was a busy man Saturday. Aside from his practice observations, he also continued his review of Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh by spotlighting the defensive line and the Eagles’ offense.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Clark Judge of CBS Sports gives a full camp report on the Eagles. Though he lays out the potential pitfalls, it’s pretty clear that Judge is bullish on them.
The Giants are quietly confident about their chances to repeat as division champions, but I’ll be honest: They’re not the best team in the NFC East; the Eagles are … provided, of course, they avoid the minefields that kept them down a year ago.
In case you missed it, Peter King posted this glowing review of RGIII’s preseason debut against the Bills.
The stats were good (4-of-6, 70 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, a 145.3 rating), but the other facets of his short night of work — the presence, the confidence running a new offense for the first time against a team trying to hit him, the touch on two arcing throws — were more impressive. Griffin didn’t play like a rookie. He played like a third-year player used to his offense and the play-calls.
WHAT’S NEXT
Juan Castillo addresses the media following an 8:15 morning walkthrough. Afternoon practice is at 2:45 with running backs and linebackers scheduled to sign autographs afterwards. Just three days left of camp.
Follow Tim on Twitter or email him at tmcmanus@phillymag.com.