Calm Before The Storm

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles on Monday hit the practice field for what head coach Nick Sirianni said was the last of a four-day acclimation period, adding that the pads come on Tuesday.

The practice, which covered a little over 70 minutes, had the feel of a looming intensity primed to ratchet up.

In housekeeping news, RB Saquon Barkley (personal), LB Oren Burks (knee) T Lane Johnson (toe) and G Tyler Steen (ankle) were non-participants, while OL Brett Toth (hamstring) was limited. Toth had been sidelined the first three practices.

Also, rookie left guard Trevor Keegan did not finish the session.

Veterans Mekhi Becton and Fred Johnson served as the first-team right guard and right tackle, respectively.

It appears as though Becton’s transition to guard has been smooth. With Steen sidelined, Becton will have an opportunity to gain ground in the competition.

In other offensive line news, sixth-round rookie Dylan McMahon was the second-team center, with veteran Matt Hennessy moving over to right guard. Darian Kinnard, who garnered first-team reps at right guard Saturday in the absence of Steen, was the second-team right tackle.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: The Eagles gathered Monday for their last ramp-up before Tuesday’s practice in pads.

On with the observations:

* The Eagles have seemingly elected to go with consistency on defense, at least to start practice. Second-year cornerback Kelee Ringo again opened team drills with the first-team opposite Darius Slay. Zack Baun aligned alongside Devin White, as he has since the beginning of camp.

If you’ve been keeping score, Ringo has started with the first-team team for three consecutive practices after veteran Isaiah Rodgers got the nod Day 1. The mixing and matching at the second and third levels persisted, though, with Rodgers and rookie Quinyon Mitchell – among others – working in with the 1s.

* Another highly ho-hum practice for QB Jalen Hurts, who continues to exhibit command of the offense, delivering passes with touch and accuracy and precision and knowing exactly where to go. Hurts had one misfire that stood out, missing WR John Ross, but his best throw came on a deep heave down the left sideline to DeVonta Smith for a touchdown. Smith had  gotten behind corner Avonte Maddox and safety Reed Blankenship.

* Barkley’s absence presented an opportunity for some of the more unsung RBs further down in the pecking order to log quality reps. On Monday, third-year RB Ty Davis-Price saw a considerable uptick. Davis-Price, a 2022 third-round pick of the 49ers and signed to a hefty Futures deal, had ripped off a nice run up the middle last week and was peppered with targets in the passing game. He mostly showed well – sans an early drop – and a pass that LB Brandon Smith jarred loose. Davis-Price is surely a long shot but has had some moments through four practices. Also working in his favor – the LSU product has gotten some looks returning kicks, but that’s a smaller priority.

* Big day for second-year EDGE Nolan Smith, who was a terror flying off the edge. Smith, a 2023 first-round pick showed explosiveness off the ball and twitchiness in his movement, in addition to active hands. The Georgia product also looks noticeably bulkier than this time last summer, confirming after practice he’s added the seven pounds he first referenced during the spring.

On successive plays, Smith registered a “sack” of Hurts, then proceeded to move the Eagles’ quarterback off his spot after bearing down. Smith gave Fred Johnson good work.

* During the initial 11-on-11 period, Isaiah Rodgers showcased his range and recovery speed. Tracking a deep heave down the right sideline, Rodgers got a hand in to break up a would-be touchdown to WR Joseph Ngata, who had a step. Kenny Pickett probably should have thrown the ball with more velocity, as Ngata had position, but Rodgers demonstrated high-level athleticism in forcing the incompletion.

* Not the greatest start to practice for EDGE Julian Okwara, who, during a 7-on-7 period, trailed RB Will Shipley on a wheel route down the left sideline, surrendering the reception on a perfectly placed pass from Hurts. Shipley continues to impress as a receiver.

The ensuring snap yielded similar results, with Okwara stepping behind RB Kenny Gainwell on an identical play. Hurts peppered the running backs with targets this morning to great success.

After practice, Gainwell spoke on where he feels he’s made the most strides:

“I’d say more of my explosiveness,” Gainwell said. “I came in a little bit lighter this year and a little bit stronger. And I just worked on basically everything I can, like just being more explosive and just the small things, catching the ball more and being stronger on protecting the ball.”

For those wondering, Gainwell said he’s playing at 200 pounds.

* It’s been a relatively quiet camp for converted CB James Bradberry, now playing safety, but the veteran defender during a situational period showcased his savvy and length to break up a pass over the middle intended for Ngata, deflecting it away. Following the play Bradberry, typically stoic, appeared to be fired up.

Bradberry, by the way, continued to work as the second-team safety. Assessing safety depth will be among the more intriguing storylines to monitor, but as of now, it appears Bradberry and second-year holdover Tristin McCollum have the edge. The second-team safeties Monday were Bradberry and Maddox.

* Good day rushing the passer for the Eagles’ defense. In addition to Smith’s noteworthy performance, DTs Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter generated consistent push up front, and even third-round pick Jalyx Hunt flashed explosiveness and fluidity in his movement. Hunt was singled out earlier this morning by Sirianni. And working on a line comprised of Thomas Booker, P.J. Mustipher and Okwara during an 11-on-11 period, fourth-year EDGE  Tarron Jackson provided quality pressure on Pickett.

* Perhaps no position carries greater scrutiny than linebacker, but the new-look unit – albeit without pads – demonstrated range, versatility and flow with urgency. In addition to White and Baun, Dean and second-year LB Ben VanSumeren worked in with the first team.

Dean, by the way, has caught my eye throughout camp. While big plays have eluded Fangio’s unit, Dean continues to show no ill-effects of the foot injuries that deprived him of his second season. Dean mentioned today that he didn’t get cleared until the last week of minicamp, so he utilized the summertime to push himself to get ready.

Dean also delivered the quote of the day:

“This t-shirt and shorts is cute, but we play football in pads,” Dean said. “And we get in pads tomorrow. So, I feel like the intensity – and I told the linebacker group this – we need to be the ones to set the precedent, basically, in a violence that’s gonna come tomorrow when it’s the first day in pads.”

* New defensive backs coach Christian Parker is extremely vocal and hands-on, evidenced during individual work before practice. Exuding energy and a fixation on the details, Parker appears like a coach primed for widespread recognition and an elevated role in the near future. I’ve maintained that Parker will soon prove himself to be one of the Eagles’ most valuable offseason additions.

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