Defense Didn’t Rest

PHILADELPHIA – Following up the hottest practice of the summer with even steamier conditions Tuesday, the Eagles wrapped their third of four consecutive practices with a running time of roughly one hour, 40 minutes.

The full-padded session – categorized as “yellow,” or moderate – didn’t lack for energy, tenacity or attention to detail.

In injury news, LB Oren Burks (knee), WR Parris Campbell (groin), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (shoulder), S Mehki Garner (hamstring), LB Brandon Smith (concussion) ddn’t practice, while C Cam Jurgens (illness), G Tyler Steen (ankle) and WR Austin Watkins (illness) were limited.

The injury to Gardner-Johnson is not believed to be of the long-term variety. The veteran safety worked on a side field with a trainer before practice.

Tuesday’s practice saw WR John Ross make an early exit, with the veteran wideout leaving on a cart and heading into the medical tent. He didn’t return.

Veteran Mekhi Becton opened as the first-team right guard, with Tyler Steen working with the second team.

While Tuesday’s observations will again be comprehensive, I paid particularly close attention to the defense. On Wednesday, I’ll focus more on offense.

ITB PHOTO: The Eagles practiced for the third straight day Tuesday, a “yellow” practice as they get ready for Friday’s preseason opener.

Let’s get to it:

* With quarterbacks and pass-catchers working on the field nearest the entrance, I went to the middle of the field, where the LBs and RBs clashed in a blitz pickup drill. By far the most effective RB in pass protection was Saquon Barkley, who repeatedly stonewalled Devin White with strength and technique.

While White did win a rep, it really put into perspective just how much of an upgrade Barkley provides in pass protection. Kenny Gainwell, whom Barkley on Monday endorsed for his all-purpose ability, including pass-protection, also shined in the drill, fending off an unrelenting Ben VanSumeren on multiple reps and shutting down new addition Shaquille Quarterman (wearing No. 37). Gainwell often exhibited  patience while maintaining a sturdy base.

Dean appeared to be the most effective defender in the drill, showcasing aggressiveness and active hands. Much like on Monday, Dean blew past Will Shipley with relative ease and worked his hands to spin around Lew Nichols for a would-be sack. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. had some nice moments during the drill, spinning away from Nichols to get around. On another rep the rookie proved to be too much for Ty Davis-Price to handle.

Nichols did, however, rebound with a nice rep against Trotter. As previously mentioned, while Trotter Jr. might not have the prototypical measurables, he wins by playing smart, technical and physical.

Barkley and Gainwell were standouts, while Shipley again underwhelmed, showing room for improvement. Following the drill, the LB group all proceeded to do push-ups.

* During team drills, the first-team defense opened with Avonte Maddox at safety alongside Reed Blankenship. On Monday, James Bradberry got the bump with Gardner-Johnson sidelined. Josh Sweat aligned over LT Jordan Mailata, opposite Bryce Huff.

The down linemen were Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. At linebacker, consistent throughout camp, it was White and Zack Baun as starters. Isaiah Rodgers got the nod at cornerback opposite Darius Slay, making it six practices with the first team for Rodgers and three for second-year CB Kelee Ringo. Rookie Quinyon Mitchell again served as the first-team nickel.

* As for Rodgers, the veteran CB seemingly continues to distance himself from Ringo. While Ringo has the size, athleticism and pedigree, he seems to be a tad slow to react against the pass. The instincts, compared to Rodgers, appear to be lagging. But Ringo remains optimistic.

“I feel like I’m doing pretty well,” Ringo said. “Of course, I always have room to grow, especially at the corner position, one of the hardest positions on the field. And I just wanna have the extra step and continue to see what offenses try to do with schemes and things like that. And just play faster; I feel like the less I think out there or anybody thinks out there doing their job, I feel like the faster they’ll be.”

* The next wave of defenders included linemen Brandon Graham, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu and Nolan Smith – a four-man front – with Smith lining up over the LT (Fred Johnson). Bradberry joined second-year pro Tristin McCollum at safety and the trio of Ringo, Rodgers and Mitchell at cornerback. Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were second-team linebackers.

* Moro Ojomo continues to flash as an interior defender. Against the second-team offensive line, Ojomo wrecked shop, slipping past a block to get to Kenny Pickett for a would-be sack and later storming through the backfield to engulf Shipley for a loss on the play. With Ojomo, it’s been his violence and physicality that’s really stood out.

Ojomo has used his leverage well, tirelessly works his moves and displays heavy hands. It’s worth noting that the second-year lineman offers positional versatility, which should not only catalyze his increased role, but also aid in run support. Interested to see how DC Vic Fangio opts to deploy him in game scenarios.

* Noticed an uptick in blitzing today, particularly from the linebackers, with White, Dean and Trotter Jr. all have positive showings in that regard. On one rep, White and edge rusher Julian Okwara shot the gap, knifing through to blow up a red-zone play. And while they didn’t get home, I noticed some blitzes that featured Mitchell and even veteran Parry Nickerson, whom I’ve noticed a bit more of lately. The mixing-and-matching of personnel continues. On a Mitchell blitz, picked up by Mailata, Maddox provided blanket coverage on an overthrown pass to WR Johnny Wilson.

* Good day for a number of the fringe Eagles DBs. On the final play of practice, the defense manufactured its third interception of camp during a situational period, when QB Tanner McKee rifled a pass toward the goal line in the direction of WR Griffin Hebert. Rookie free agent CB Shon Stephens, however, got a hand in to break up the pass, which caromed into the arms of another rookie free agent, safety Andre Sam. Heads-up play by Sam, the LSU product who has had a relatively quiet camp, but it was another play made by Stephens, who has found himself involved with a pair of turnovers in consecutive practices.

While Josh Jobe is often excluded from the 2024 cornerback conversation, No. 28 was underlined in my notebook on the heels of consecutive reps. Working with the second team, Jobe got a good jump on a Kenny Pickett pass, closing quickly on WR Jacob Harris to collect a pass breakup. On the ensuing snap, Jobe stripped the ball out of the hands of WR Joseph Ngata. The third-year CB has a decent shot to stick as the final cornerback because of his special teams prowess. He’s the Eagles top special teams contributor. Physical and handsy, keep an eye on Jobe during exhibition season.

* Though long shots, deep reserves DT Thomas Booker IV and EDGE Tarron Jackson each had some bright moments. In one instance, Booker, a repeated entry in this space, used his power to plant G Nick Gates on his backside. The third-year pro, likely destined for the practice squad, has been a third-team spark plug and packs a punch. Jackson, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick in 2021, discarded mammoth rookie free agent OT Anim Dankwah for a “sack” of Tanner McKee and also chased down a running back (not sure who) in the backfield to jar the ball loose.

* A pair of rookies, EDGE Jalyx Hunt and LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., each stood out. The bend and athleticism of Hunt is apparent when watching him pursue quarterbacks, and he logged a particularly strong rep against veteran OL Max Scharping. Trotter Jr., on the other hand, impressed as a blitzer, never slowing his feet and attacking downhill. His toughness and physicality has been fun to watch. I think he will prove to be quite effective in a similar role this season.

* Fourth-year EDGE Patrick Johnson continues to give Darian Kinnard fits. Kinnard, serving as the right tackle, was driven back and was no match for Johnson, who had a bead on Kenny Pickett. Of the second- and third-team pass-rush battles, Johnson vs. Kinnard has been one I’ve kept an eye on.

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