Battlin’ Backups

As the preseason inches towards the conclusion, the Philadelphia Eagles are settling in on important positional roles.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher provided insightinto the biggest positional battles currently facing the team.

GETTY IMAGES: Kenny Pickett is the established backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles despite a push from Tanner McKee.

Tanner McKee/Kenny Pickett

Geoff Mosher: “Everyone needs to remember the contract Kenny Pickett has here, the experience he brings as a backup quarterback, and the fact that he also runs mostly with the second team. Tanner McKee…is working with third stringers and occasionally with the second stringers. We have never seen what he looks like with the pressure on him.”

Adam Caplan: “Pickett doesn’t really drive the football down the field, he’s more of a touch passer…McKee has a much better arm…I did ask this question to a coach. It’s not normal to give the third string quarterback second team reps the way they’ve been doing it. They’re doing it because McKee’s earning them.”

Slot Receiver

Mosher: “Parris Campbell couldn’t stay healthy, Johnny Wilson having a concussion makes it tough to get more of an evaluation of him. Britain Covey has done well, had a good camp, had another good practice, but I still struggle to see him as your full-time slot unless he’s a Cole Beasley type.”

Caplan: “Covey has been their best backup receiver in camp. They’re real light. You have to have at least five guys to dress.”

Mekhi Becton/Tyler Steen

Mosher: “At this point, Mekhi Becton’s the right guard. I don’t even think that’s arguable unless Tyler Steen has some amazing last week-and-a-half.”

Caplan: “Steen’s hurt. That really opened the door quite frankly. Becton was pulling ahead and then Steen got hurt.”

Thomas Booker

Mosher: “Thomas Booker has really come on as of late. But what do the Eagles want and need in their backup interior defensive lineman?”

Caplan: “He’s a multi-positional player. He can play nose, is a backup five or seven technique, a little bit of 4i.”

Nakobe Dean

Caplan: “Maybe the practice at the Linc[oln Financial Field] set him straight, because he has been on the uptick. Dean is playing really well right now. He is absolutely pushing Zack Baun.”

Avonte Maddox

Mosher: “We are seeing a lot of Avonte Maddox at safety. With the thinness there and the injury proneness of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, it might be helping Maddox with the safety situation because he has been playing there and practicing more.”

Caplan: “Maddox right now would be the top backup safety and he has that great positional versatility. I have him on the team.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.