Running Diary: Eagles Practice Observations


Photo by: Jeff Fusco

Photo by: Jeff Fusco

Here’s what we saw at Friday’s practice, which was held inside the NovaCare bubble once again:

8:37 — At the end of yesterday’s session, Trey Burton helped out rookie Carson Wentz with a nice one-handed grab. He starts today off by assisting Chase Daniel in a similar fashion, coming up with another one-hander.

8:49 — Nelson Agholor quickly lays claim to catch of the day, though, by diving and snaring a Wentz offering just inches off the carpet along the sideline.

9:01 — No Brandon Brooks (hamstring) or Ryan Mathews (ankle) again today, though it sounds like they could be back soon.

“We’re anticipating next week some time getting both back on the field,” said Doug Pederson.

Newly-extended Darren Sproles is working with the first team while Stefen Wisniewski once again fills in at right guard.

Quick depth chart note: The second-team offensive line (from  right to left) is currently: Dennis Kelly, Barrett Jones, Josh Andrews, Isaac Seumalo and Matt Tobin. The third-team is Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Darrell Greene, Andrews, Malcolm Bunche and Andrew Gardner.

9:18 — A rough stretch for the offense as 7-on-7s  get underway. No luck for the Daniel-Burton duo this time, as the throw slips through Burton’s hands and is nearly intercepted by Chris Maragos. In the sequence before, Daniel was long on an attempt to Brent Celek.

Wentz has a tough time connecting with Chris Pantale. The first attempt is high and wide, the second jumped by Jordan Hicks for a pass break up. Finally, Wentz fires a strike to Pantale over the middle to break the streak.

9:22 — The defense has the upper hand so far. Jalen Mills and Ed Reynolds have Celek bracketed on an eventual incompletion. That has Cory Undlin excited. “There you go, Ed!” he yells. Celek is unable to haul in a Bradford pass moments later and slaps the turf in frustration.

9:26 — Not the easiest day for Wentz, who sails a pass intended for Marcus Johnson. He tries to connect with Chris Givens deep down the left sideline but Nolan Carroll has him blanketed.

9:39 — It’s 11-on-11 time, and Jim Schwartz is giving Eric Rowe and Mills a look with the first team. Bradford goes Rowe’s way on the very first play but he doesn’t get enough on a pass intended for Givens, and Rowe comes up with the interception.

“I was a little frustrated because on the little seven-on-seven they weren’t really throwing the ball my way the whole time,” said Rowe. “But I just told myself, ‘It’s going to come one of these days,’ and it came.”

“The type of play we had going on I had to have vision the quarterback. Sam Bradford was staring down my way, I knew he was trying to throw it over my head the way he dipped his shoulder so I just told myself, ‘Just keep getting depth,’ and it came.”

9:40 — Rueben Randle provides a highlight for the offense with a tough catch on a Daniel pass that was behind him. The defense comes right back, though, as Jaylen Watkins strips Celek of the ball to force an incompletion.

9:46 — Mills certainly acts like he belongs. He’s all over Givens along the right side and Daniel’s toss falls to the ground. The rookie signals incompletion then gives a little flex for emphasis.

9:55 — It should be noted that Aaron Grymes has acquitted himself well so far. The CFL/Idaho product has made a play or two every day. Here he locks down Johnson and breaks up a Wentz pass along the right side.

A few plays aside, this was the defense’s day.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings when the Eagles throw on the pads for the first time. Practice begins at 8:05.