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PHILADELPHIA − It was simply a glimpse into the mindset of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. But that glimpse could portend into so much more despite an uneven offensive performance through the first week of training camp.
This happened on Monday, Aug. 3. On the first play of a 7-on-7 drill, Hurts threw a quick pass into the flat to wide receiver Elijah Moore. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell jumped the route, intercepted the ball, and ran it back for what would have been a touchdown.
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A few plays later, Hurts hit Moore on a deep route over the middle. Hurts, who rarely shows emotion, ran down the field to celebrate with Moore.
When asked why on Aug. 5, Hurts responded that the interception was a "mishap" on Moore's part as the veteran free agent cut back inside when he should have kept going towards the sideline.
"I just think that was an example of responding," Hurts said. "That’s what I was so proud of and happy about. Not the throw, but that (Moore) was able to play the next play, show up in the right window at the right time, and rip it in there for a touchdown down the middle of the field.
"So I think that’s just the M.O. about being a resilient team, being a group of guys that we understand the importance of doing our job."
These are the signs that Hurts has bought in and embraced the new offensive system under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Hurts called this process "calibrating" the offense to understand the reasoning behind every call, every read.
It hasn't shown yet on the field, for the most part. Through six training camp practices, the defense has been superior in five of them, including the Aug. 5 practice. But Hurts said he's seeing the progress.
"This is a time where we’re putting it together and finding out who we are," Hurts said. "It’s been very good to be able to compete against the defense that we have built and set an identity with who they are. Obviously, we’ve got a lot of new pieces, an entirely new approach and M.O. and philosophy to our offense.
"So being able to put that together and make it our own, I’m excited for where we are."
Here, then, are three signs that Hurts, for one, will thrive in this offense.
EAGLES TRAINING CAMP: Eagles Day 6 camp observations. Jalen Hurts adapts without 3 injured WRs
A constant theme throughout the spring and early part of camp has been Hurts constantly asking questions, whether it's with Mannion, or the other players on offense.
Andy Dalton, who's entering his 16th NFL season, has noticed this, too.
"Just the way he works and how important it is to him," Dalton said. "It’s been a lot of fun to see how he has really taken ownership of this offense ... For him, wanting to know all the little details with everything that goes into it to make sure that he not only knows everything that he’s supposed to do, but the other guys around him.
"I’ve been very impressed."
This is not a new phenomenon for Hurts, who has been meticulous with asking questions and studying over the years. But in a new offense, it is imperative for Hurts to understand what everyone is supposed to do.
"I think asking those questions gives you a great understanding, and I’ve been very excited about the conversations that Sean and I have been able to have," Hurts said.
EAGLES EARLY CAMP STANDOUTS: 5 Eagles winning position battles (so far), and who's falling behind
DeVonta Smith, the Eagles top receiver, and first-round draft pick Makai Lemon have missed the past two practices with hamstring injuries. It's not known how much longer they will be out.
While Lemon will be set back because of the time missed, their absences have enabled Hurts to work with the other new receivers on the roster. That includes Dontayvion Wicks, whom the Eagles traded for, and the veteran free agents in Moore and Hollywood Brown.
But there are also returnees like Darius Cooper, Johnny Wilson, and yes, even Quez Watkins, who was the Eagles' second leading wide receiver in 2021 and spent all of last season on the practice squad.
Many of those players worked out with Hurts during the six-week break leading into training camp, whether it was in Florida or near Hurts' home in Houston.
"You get an opportunity to see who’s who, what’s what, everybody’s mentality, their approach," Hurts said. "And you give guys chances in some situations to build that trust. That doesn’t stop in the summertime in Florida or Houston when we’re working out intimately. It continues throughout practice every day, every meeting, every conversation. So we’re just continuing to build on that."
Hurts and Smith, meanwhile, know each other well enough. They have worked together going back to when they were teammates at Alabama, and now into their sixth season together with the Eagles in the NFL.
What has made Hurts so dangerous is his ability to run. But that was curtailed somewhat last season for a variety of reasons as Hurts had just 421 yards, his lowest total in a season by nearly 200 yards since the start of the 2021 season.
But with Hurts under center more in Mannion's offense, the running opportunities might not be there as often as if he was in the shotgun in the zone-read.
Then again, through the past few practices, Hurts has taken off and run more, both in the shotgun and from under center. If Hurts can show he's a plus-one in the run game, that will increase his effectiveness in the passing game.
"It’s too soon to answer yet," Hurts said about running more. "I think we’re still installing things and putting all aspects of the offense in. We haven’t finished installing. There’s still more to come. But we’re working and we’re building."
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 3 signs Jalen Hurts will thrive in Eagles' offense ... after a bad INT
Continue reading...
This happened on Monday, Aug. 3. On the first play of a 7-on-7 drill, Hurts threw a quick pass into the flat to wide receiver Elijah Moore. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell jumped the route, intercepted the ball, and ran it back for what would have been a touchdown.
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
A few plays later, Hurts hit Moore on a deep route over the middle. Hurts, who rarely shows emotion, ran down the field to celebrate with Moore.
When asked why on Aug. 5, Hurts responded that the interception was a "mishap" on Moore's part as the veteran free agent cut back inside when he should have kept going towards the sideline.
"I just think that was an example of responding," Hurts said. "That’s what I was so proud of and happy about. Not the throw, but that (Moore) was able to play the next play, show up in the right window at the right time, and rip it in there for a touchdown down the middle of the field.
"So I think that’s just the M.O. about being a resilient team, being a group of guys that we understand the importance of doing our job."
These are the signs that Hurts has bought in and embraced the new offensive system under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Hurts called this process "calibrating" the offense to understand the reasoning behind every call, every read.
It hasn't shown yet on the field, for the most part. Through six training camp practices, the defense has been superior in five of them, including the Aug. 5 practice. But Hurts said he's seeing the progress.
"This is a time where we’re putting it together and finding out who we are," Hurts said. "It’s been very good to be able to compete against the defense that we have built and set an identity with who they are. Obviously, we’ve got a lot of new pieces, an entirely new approach and M.O. and philosophy to our offense.
"So being able to put that together and make it our own, I’m excited for where we are."
Here, then, are three signs that Hurts, for one, will thrive in this offense.
EAGLES TRAINING CAMP: Eagles Day 6 camp observations. Jalen Hurts adapts without 3 injured WRs
Jalen Hurts' level of understanding
A constant theme throughout the spring and early part of camp has been Hurts constantly asking questions, whether it's with Mannion, or the other players on offense.
Andy Dalton, who's entering his 16th NFL season, has noticed this, too.
"Just the way he works and how important it is to him," Dalton said. "It’s been a lot of fun to see how he has really taken ownership of this offense ... For him, wanting to know all the little details with everything that goes into it to make sure that he not only knows everything that he’s supposed to do, but the other guys around him.
"I’ve been very impressed."
This is not a new phenomenon for Hurts, who has been meticulous with asking questions and studying over the years. But in a new offense, it is imperative for Hurts to understand what everyone is supposed to do.
"I think asking those questions gives you a great understanding, and I’ve been very excited about the conversations that Sean and I have been able to have," Hurts said.
EAGLES EARLY CAMP STANDOUTS: 5 Eagles winning position battles (so far), and who's falling behind
Working wide receivers after DeVonta Smith injury
DeVonta Smith, the Eagles top receiver, and first-round draft pick Makai Lemon have missed the past two practices with hamstring injuries. It's not known how much longer they will be out.
While Lemon will be set back because of the time missed, their absences have enabled Hurts to work with the other new receivers on the roster. That includes Dontayvion Wicks, whom the Eagles traded for, and the veteran free agents in Moore and Hollywood Brown.
But there are also returnees like Darius Cooper, Johnny Wilson, and yes, even Quez Watkins, who was the Eagles' second leading wide receiver in 2021 and spent all of last season on the practice squad.
Many of those players worked out with Hurts during the six-week break leading into training camp, whether it was in Florida or near Hurts' home in Houston.
"You get an opportunity to see who’s who, what’s what, everybody’s mentality, their approach," Hurts said. "And you give guys chances in some situations to build that trust. That doesn’t stop in the summertime in Florida or Houston when we’re working out intimately. It continues throughout practice every day, every meeting, every conversation. So we’re just continuing to build on that."
Hurts and Smith, meanwhile, know each other well enough. They have worked together going back to when they were teammates at Alabama, and now into their sixth season together with the Eagles in the NFL.
Is Jalen Hurts running again?
What has made Hurts so dangerous is his ability to run. But that was curtailed somewhat last season for a variety of reasons as Hurts had just 421 yards, his lowest total in a season by nearly 200 yards since the start of the 2021 season.
But with Hurts under center more in Mannion's offense, the running opportunities might not be there as often as if he was in the shotgun in the zone-read.
Then again, through the past few practices, Hurts has taken off and run more, both in the shotgun and from under center. If Hurts can show he's a plus-one in the run game, that will increase his effectiveness in the passing game.
"It’s too soon to answer yet," Hurts said about running more. "I think we’re still installing things and putting all aspects of the offense in. We haven’t finished installing. There’s still more to come. But we’re working and we’re building."
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 3 signs Jalen Hurts will thrive in Eagles' offense ... after a bad INT
Continue reading...
