Tuning Up

PHILADELPHIA — Finishing off the final practice of a four-day jaunt, the Eagles held a crisp, 75-minute session Wednesday, the final measuring stick ahead of Friday’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

The practice was categorized as “yellow,” or moderate, fixating on 7-on-7s, team drills, situational football and kickoff returns.

GETTY IMAGES: All-Pro CB Darius Slay shined in the latest training camp practice.

In housekeeping news, LB Oren Burks (knee), WR Parris Campbell (groin), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (shoulder), S Mekhi Garner (hamstring) and LB Brandon Smith (concussion) didn’t practice. It’s worth noting that Smith has missed the past four practices with the concussion.

Second-year OL Tyler Steen (ankle) was a full participant, though it was veteran Mekhi Becton who served as the first-team right guard. It would appear Becton is pulling away in the competition, but how he performs at a new position in a game situation remains to be seen.

At cornerback, it was Isaiah Rodgers who again received the nod with the first-team defense, marking the seventh practice in which Rodgers has garnered that distinction, compared to three for second-year cornerback Kelee Ringo.

Devin White and Zack Baun, as they have all summer, opened practice as first-team linebackers.

* The 7-on-7s began with rookie WR Johnny Wilson in the slot, joining fellow receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on the first team. Wilson repped inside and outside throughout practice, exclusively with the first team. While Wilson had been far more consistent catching the football than in the spring, he dropped a mid-range pass with Baun in coverage. Wilson reeled in a tough catch shortly after despite receiving a pop from Avonte Maddox.

* While Wilson received the bulk of the first-team reps, Britain Covey, Joseph Ngata and Jacob Harris worked in. Harris, by the way, defeated Eli Ricks in press coverage to bring in a slant. Harris has length, speed and special teams ability. The Eagles seem to like him a bit, and I suspect he’ll see some volume during the preseason.

* Third-year TE Grant Calcaterra continued his strong summer, hauling in a perfectly placed seam pass from Hurts between LB Devin White and S Reed Blankenship during team drills. With Maddox trailing, Calcaterra also brought in a Hurts touchdown in the back left corner of the end zone in 11-on-11s.

Not only is Calcaterra playing faster and seemingly in the right spot every time, the 25-year-old looks smooth and fluid as a route runner and has showcased some speed to separate. It’s time to start believing the Calcaterra hype, as he’s undeniably gained the confidence of the Eagles’ starting quarterback. I firmly believe he will have a prominent role within Kellen Moore’s offense.

* It isn’t often that Darius Slay is referenced in these practice notes, as the veteran cornerback is consistent and rarely tested. Hurts, however, hoisted a jump ball deep shot to Joseph Ngata toward the right corner of the end zone. Working out of man coverage, Slay matched Ngata step-for-step and the big-bodied wideout was unable to use his frame to get position, allowing Slay to get a hand in to breakup the pass.

Ngata, the first player out and on the JUGS machine each day, still struggles to gain much in the way of separation. Where he’s shined, however, is on intermediary routes, where he can outmuscle smaller defensive backs.

* While Brown is in a class of his own, and defensive reps against the ultra-physical wideout should probably be graded on a curve, Rodgers was a few steps behind in coverage down the left sideline during a team period, though the pass skimmed off Brown’s fingertips and fell incomplete. For as athletically gifted as Rodgers is, his slight build could give him some trouble against big-bodied wideouts. I’ve not only noticed Brown winning against Rodgers with positioning, but Ngata doing the same. Perhaps something to file away.

* Rookie LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. continues to show well as a blitzer, particularly on a play in which he surged through the line for a would-be sack, popping former Clemson teammate Will Shipley. Trotter has terrorized Shipley in pass protection throughout camp. But Trotter also caught my eye in coverage.

As QB Tanner McKee rolled to his right to complete a short toss to RB Ty Davis-Price, Trotter did well to swarm to the football and impede progress, stopping Davis-Price to deny the touchdown. Baun was particularly fired up after the play, running up to Trotter and commending rookie for his eye discipline.

* The most impressive connection of the day occurred during team drills, with Kenny Pickett helming the second-team offense. With pressure from Trotter bearing down – likely a sack in a game situation – Pickett held the ball long enough to loft a pass into the breadbasket of Covey, who secured the contested catch despite physical downfield coverage from S Tristin McCollum. Rookie free agent safety Andre Sam was also converging.

Say what you will about Covey’s build and stature, but you can’t deny that the diminutive pass-catcher is tough as nails, coming down with several big-time catches throughout camp. The third-year pro deserves an extended look offensively.

* Aside from running backs Saquon Barkley and Kenny Gainwell, the Eagles RB room as a collective has underwhelmed in pass pro. Trotter Jr. continues to have some nice moments surging downhill, but Devin White has flashed quite a bit in that regard, particularly the past two practices. The veteran free-agent addition should thrive as a blitzer in DC Vic Fangio’s scheme.

*Of the relatively unknown depth wide receivers, 26-year-old Austin Watkins has been the most consistent. Wakins, who has had some quality reps against Josh Jobe this summer, reeled in a Tanner McKee laser in the back of the end zone with Jobe a step behind. Watkins has shown up in 1-on-1s as a route-runner and consistent catcher of the football and hasn’t looked out of place during team periods. His ability to snag passes with his hands – away from his body – have stood out. If you’re looking for that preseason offensive standout, Watkins could be a candidate.

* The Eagles dedicated a segment of practice to work on kickoff returns. The returners were Isaiah Rodgers, Britain Covey, Will Shipley, Kenneth Gainwell and Ainias Smith. The first-team protection unit notably featured the usual suspects, including LBs Ben VanSumeren and Zack Baun, CBs Josh Jobe and Kelee Ringo, EDGE Patrick Johnson and TE Grant Calcaterra. Notably, the unit also included Tristan McCollum, perhaps providing insight into gauging his roster status.

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