‘Can’t Be Stringent’

The Philadelphia Eagles still have major questions to address with just two weeks to go before the start of the 2024 regular season.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher discussed the state of the roster at the end of training camp.

GETTY IMAGES: DB Cooper DeJean and WR Britain Covey are competing for a role on the 2024 Eagles at their respective positions.

Jalen Hurts

Geoff Mosher: “This has to do with any quarterback and any offense: a quarterback can complete 10 straight passes. But what they’re going to do after practice is the coaches and players are going to watch tape, then they’re going to get together and watch it together. They’re going to go through every play and say ‘did you do the right thing on that play?’…that is the only thing I would caution people on. I think it’s great that Jalen has protected the ball, he has good ball placement. What none of us know is the ball more often than not going where it’s supposed to go?”

Caplan: “The one thing that has been noticeable, they have not been driving the ball downfield.”

Wide Receivers

Mosher: “Your third receiver has to be able to play outside functionally in case one of your top two guys gets hurt. Right now it’s bleak if you’re getting an injury to A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith.”

Caplan: “It’s going to be hard. Johnny Wilson’s issue is separation…(Britain) Covey is just small, but he has great quicks. It’s a problem.”

Mosher: “As we understand it, the Eagles are not going to be hunting at wide receiver for someone who has any kind of legit salary. They’re either going to have to sign a veteran on a one-year deal with very little guaranteed or make it work with what they got.”

Inside Linebackers

Caplan: “(Zack) Baun is the first guy up, but I can tell you in Wednesday’s practice (Nakobe) Dean played the Mike and the Will [linebacker spots].” 

Mosher: “I’m past the point of wondering about the starting rotation and packages, I’m more about the leash, I’m wondering how long Vic (Fangio) is going to live with what he sees at inside linebacker before he feels the need to switch things up…they just have to play at an average level, it’s harder to do that though when you are targeted.”

Cornerbacks

Mosher: “It didn’t take long, Cooper DeJean working as a nickelback. That has enabled Vic in base defense, when he has two corners on the field, it’s going to be Quinyon Mitchell on the outside opposite of Darius Slay.”

Caplan: “Sometimes you have to have Mitchell on the outside, depending on the matchup. You can’t be so stringent.”

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