Playing It Cool

PHILADELPHIA – After a series of blistering hot practices to open camp, Friday’s forecast ushered in a welcomed Fall feel ahead of Day 7 of Eagles training camp. The session was a wildly entertaining one, focusing heavily on the first and second units during team period, with a period of offensive line/defensive line 1-on-1 drills incorporated in. The team was in full pads for the second time in camp.

As for Friday’s status report, LB Zack Baun (back contusion), TE E.J. Jenkins (hamstring), WR Terrace Marshall (knee), CB Mac McWilliams (quad), WR DeVonta Smith (back tightness) and EDGE Nolan Smith (concussion) and FB Ben VanSumeren (ankle) didn’t practice.

Looked like rookie RB Montrell Johnson Jr. got dinged early in practice, as I spotted him walking off and into a tent with a trainer following a physical run play. The presumed play in which he was shaken up occurred on a productive carry that took him near the goal line. He was first tagged short of the goal line by S Andre’ Sam and then popped at the goal line by CB Eli Ricks.

Limited for the Eagles were LB Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), DT Jalen Carter (shoulder), G Landon Dickerson (ribs), S Drew Mukuba (shoulder) and C Cam Jurgens (back). Mukuba practiced in shorts and shells and was withheld from team drills.

The practice, categorized as “green,” covered just under two hours.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: The Eagles were back in pads again for the second time of training camp.

Let’s get to the practice observations:

* The Eagles opened practice with a single special teams rep before dispersing to 11-on-11s. WRs Ainias Smith and Avery Williams functioning as the two deep returners. Williams fielded the kick and was held to a fairly modest pickup, but Smith sealed the perimeter with a strong block on Eli Ricks. The two other kick return pairings included RBs Johnson Jr. and Keilan Robinson, and Robinson and WR Taylor Morin.

On Johnson Jr.’s return, CB A.J. Woods charged in to halt progress, delivering a pop with his shoulder. The third return saw Robinson get vertical for a respectable pickup.

* The first team period featured third-year CB Kelee Ringo aligning opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell, by the way, continues to work on the left and right side. Veteran Adoree’ Jackson also worked in with the first team, though on this day, Ringo logged the majority of reps with the 1s.

* The initial safety alignment remained the same as it has throughout the first six practices, with second-year DB Cooper DeJean joining Reed Blankenship. When transitioning to nickel, DeJean slid down, and Sydney Brown joined Blankenship. The second unit featured a blend of Sam, Tristin McCollum and Lewis Cine – who worked with the second team for the first time this summer. Of the aforementioned, Sam was on the field most.

Cine, by the way, earned a quality pass breakup early in the session, on a Tanner McKee sideline toss to TE Grant Calcaterra.

* With  EDGE Nolan Smith (concussion) still sidelined, Azeez Ojulari – not Josh Uche – who teamed with second-year pass-rusher Jalyx Hunt on the edge. Even though Ojulari impressively stormed off the edge to collect a “sack” of QB Jalen Hurts, Uche has been the more consistent of the two through seven practices. Uche and Patrick Johnson also mixed in with the first team.

* At linebacker, without Baun, it was once again Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Jihaad Campbell opening with the first team. Campbell, who has come on strong to start camp, had a couple challenging plays in coverage (more on that later). Rookie LB Smael Mondon Jr., alongside Trotter Jr., saw a sizeable uptick in first-team reps and made the most of them.

* Without WRs Devonta Smith and Terrace Marshall – and later A.J. Brown, who sat during the latter part of team drills – second-year WRs Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson saw an uptick of first-team opportunities.

* The second-team nickel is typically rookie Mac McWilliams, but with the rookie sidelined, the duties were shared between rookie free agent Brandon Johnson and veteran Parry Nickerson. Johnson has had a quiet camp, but I thought he made the most of his opportunities. He remained on the practice field well after the final double horns had sounded, working with Ainias Smith, who was giving him different route looks on air.

* Tough day for second-year OL Trevor Keegan, a culprit of a series of errant snaps. The Michigan product served as the second-team center, but many of his snaps were wildly spotty, at times foiling plays. At one point, late in practice, rookie G/C Drew Kendall came on in relief. In balancing Jurgens’ workload, Kendall also received some work with the first team. Veteran OL Brett Toth filled in some at left guard for the limited Dickerson.

* The second-team offensive line was primarily comprised of (L-R): LT Kendall Lamm, LG Kenyon Green, C Trevor Keegan, RG Matt Pryor, RT Darian Kinnard.

* There were several plays worth of “Play of the Day” distinction, but it was one that occurred early during 11-on-11s. Identifying a mismatch, Jalen Hurts lofted a pinpoint pass into the breadbasket of RB Will Shipley, who was running a wheel route down the right sideline. Shipley, who had pulled away from Jihaad Campbell, reeled in the pass in stride for a touchdown.

* While on the subject of running backs, Friday was a big day for RB Saquon Barkley, who saw a heavy workload as a ball-carrier and receiver. Barkley cashed in with a touchdown run up the middle and the ensuing two-point conversion. Today reemphasized that every time Barkley touches the ball, he has the advantage over almost anyone.

Hurts would go back to the well later in the session, dialing up a long wheel route to Barkley down the left sideline. But running step for step with Barkley was LB Smael Mondon Jr., who got a hand in to deny the completion.

* The consistency of S Reed Blankenship is probably taken for granted a bit, but the veteran showcased instincts and range defending a Jalen Hurts deep shot to A.J. Brown in the corner of the end zone. Blankenship not only got over, but got a hand in to negate the throw.

* CB Kelee Ringo was called for pass interference on a deep pass to WR Jahan Dotson. Later, I spotted DBs coach Christian Parker working with Ringo, presumably on how to better defend the throw. Dotson, running a stop route, later had leverage on Ringo but was unable to bring in the throw.

* EDGE Josh Uche applied quality pressure on one play in particular, forcing Jalen Hurts to hastily toss a pass in the direction of Ainias Smith in the back of the end zone. Smith, tightly guarded by Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Reed Blankenship, was unable to corral what would have been a tough catch.

* Third-year WR Elijah Cooks has surfaced as an early favorite for training camp darling, stringing together a handful of impressive catches. But on Friday, he dropped a perfect ball over the middle from Tanner McKee. Cooks shook free, but perhaps he heard footsteps from a swarming Smael Mondon Jr.

* I’ve written previously about Shipley’s development, and the second-year running back turned in another positive showing. In addition to the notable receiving touchdown, Shipley found paydirt on a running play up the middle and again stood up rookie LB Lance Dixon in pass protection. He’s really come on of late.

*The team went live with the third team near the end of the session during developmental period. The Kyle McCord-led group encountered some early challenges, including a low snap from Keegan and drop from rookie RB ShunDerrick Powell, but included an impressive snag from Morin. Determinedly, Powell capped the march with a scamper around the ride side on a stretch play.

* Here are some highlights from the OL/DL 1-on-1 session:

Byron Young vs. Brett Toth

Toth stonewalled Young.

Moro Ojomo vs. Landon Dickerson

This was an incredibly fascinating battle. Ojomo won by using leverage to get around Dickerson.

Moro Ojomo vs. Landon Dickerson: Part II

Dickerson won cleanly. Looked as if Ojomo perhaps lost his footing in the process.

Azeez Ojulari vs. Jordan Mailata

Ojulari used his quickness to slip past Mailata.

Azeez Ojulari vs. Jordan Mailata: Part II

The ensuing rep was no contest, with Mailata manhandling Ojulari.

Ty Robinson vs. Cameron Williams

After losing out on their initial encounter, Robinson redeemed himself on the ensuring rep

Josh Uche vs. Darian Kinnard

Kinnard stood up Uche, who was unable to disengage.

Josh Uche vs. Darian Kinnard: Part II

Kinnard again held off Uche, this time redirecting him outside.

Gabe Hall vs. Kenyon Green

Impressive rep from Hall here, who overpowered Green with physicality and leverage to win the rep.

Gabe Hall vs. Myles Hinton

The horn sounded a tick after Hall showcased power and heavy hands to get around Hinton.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.