Pad Level

Training camp has switched to the next gear for the Philadelphia Eagles as the pads come on and physicality increases.

ITB PHOTO: The Eagles on Tuesday held their first practice in pads of 2023 training camp.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Geoff Mosher and Andrew DiCecco provided intel from the latest practices.

Jalen Hurts

Andrew DiCecco: “He is seeing the field really well. He is decisive, throwing with anticipation, facilitating the ball to multiple receivers…granted we are just four practices in, but from what you see right now, you have to be excited.” 

Geoff Mosher: “I was told he was taking a positive step from somebody who would know, and that’s what you want…he has become so adept at being able to reset his feet and hit that target even if he’s flushed or just moving left or right.”

DeVonta Smith

Mosher: “He made a catch down the sideline where his footwork stood out the most. I have seen a lot of guys who do a great toe-tap, but even when they do it, there’s effort that goes into it. DeVonta Smith can catch a ball on the sideline on his fingertips and do a toe-tap and it doesn’t slow him down. One person I spoke to said thought DeVonta Smith was the best route runner he has seen on the Eagles in maybe 20 years.”

DiCecco: “I really think DeVonta is going to explode this year. Coming off of last year, I don’t know how you quantify that, but I really like what he brings to the table…you saw him emerge in the latter part of last season and I think that’s going to continue going into this year. He has yet to scratch the surface.”

Mosher: “From a trust standpoint, I think there’s more capacity for DeVonta to keep growing as opposed to A.J. Brown. (Smith) just does everything really well. There’s almost no flaw to his game.” 

Right Guard

Mosher: “Cam Jurgens has basically taken all of the starting right guard reps, so he is definitely trending toward being the starter. One person told me that, while he’s doing well, when the pads are on, he can be a little bit anxious with his foot and handpunch once that rush comes in…what I was told after the first padded practice was one thing that stood out about (Tyler) Steen was that he was able to handle the physicality of it.”

Nakobe Dean

Mosher: “We know he was used as a blitzer in Georgia. Nobody blitzed from the coverage linebacker spot in Jonathan Gannon’s defense. The longer this thing goes, people are going to look at Sean Desai and say you have a weapon here, you have to figure out a way to use him. Dean has a natural instinct to get around pass protection and get to the QB.”

DiCecco: “He is a multi-faceted weapon and I think he is going to be the breakout player on defense this year if he’s utilized properly. He is somebody that can get after the quarterback and add yet another pass rusher to what is already going to be a tidal wave of pass rushers getting after quarterbacks. You have to find a way to exploit that.” 

Jalen Carter

Mosher: “I saw Carter on the field quite a bit. I thought looked the part. He’s very strong, he can really handle a double team when need be, which is probably going to be a big difference for the Eagles in run defense. He will fight through a double team, show you his power, show you his athleticsm, show you at the point of attack how to not get moved back.”

DiCecco: “Exceptional power at the point of attack, violent hands, lightning quick first step off the ball, as advertised. I’m really looking forward to seeing him on the one-on-ones.”