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PHILADELPHIA − Jalen Hurts lined up under center during his first series in the Eagles team drills on Aug. 1 and looked to throw over the middle.
Linebacker Zack Baun reached up and deflected the pass at the line of scrimmage.
On the next play, Hurts again looked over the middle, only to have defensive tackle Jalen Carter bat the pass down.
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This is supposed to be the crux of the Eagles offense under new coordinator Sean Mannion, with Hurts lining up more under center, throwing more over the middle, and working in more play-action passes.
And yet, Hurts seemed so frustrated when those two passes were batted down that he threw deep down the sideline on the next play ... to nobody in particular.
That's pretty much how it's gone for the Eagles' offense so far during the first three days of Eagles training camp. Is that cause for concern? Or is it a product of being early in training camp, with the offense going against what's looking again like a top-five defense in the NFL?
The way Mannion sees it, it's all part of the process, especially with regards to Hurts.
"He's very uniquely talented, in terms of the athletic ability," Mannion said about Hurts. "It's something that he's been effective with throughout his career. That's part of what makes him such a special talent. He's done a lot of things well. He's really operated through all facets of the offense comfortably."
Hurts hasn't thrown a touchdown pass so far in camp. But it should be noted that the Eagles only ran their first red-zone drills on Aug. 1. Over the previous two days, the Eagles mostly operated from their half of the field, so those opportunities were not there.
Hurts has also not thrown an interception. In both regards, the results have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Mannion, for one, knows there will be growing pains. For the early days, he's focusing on the pre-snap operation and making sure that improves. So far, he said it has.
"The big thing for us every day is high-level competition, competing against yourself, competing for a role on a roster, and then competing against the defense every day," he said. "That's going to make us better and better. And for us offensively, can we have a sound pre-snap operation?
"It's still early, but I'm happy with the progress that we've made, and we've gotta keep improving from there."
There seems like a long way to go.
IS BRANDON GRAHAM RETURNING? Did Eagles clear way for Brandon Graham return in 'choppy' player's role?
JALEN CARTER CONTRACT FALLOUT: This Eagles player's future is most affected by Jalen Carter contract
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell was one of four players excused from practice for non-injury reasons. That gave his backup, Jeremiah Trotter, a chance to play alongside Baun.
Trotter took advantage. On one play, Trotter broke up a Hurts pass in the flat to Saquon Barkley and just missed intercepting it for what would have been a pick-6. On another, Trotter dived and broke up a pass intended for Makai Lemon in the end zone during a red-zone play.
In general, the first-team defense was dominant. That included the back end, where safety Drew Mukuba has quickly established himself with Reed Blankenship gone in free agency.
Cooper DeJean has also adapted well to the safety spot in base defense, then at nickel, where he was an All-Pro last season. On one play, DeJean covered rookie Makai Lemon, lined up in the slot, on a deep ball toward the sideline as the pass fell incomplete.
"Cooper’s come along pretty well," Mukuba said. "He’s obviously learning, but he’s a natural defensive back. He’s gonna make plays on the ball."
In addition to Campbell, right tackle Lane Johnson, defensive tackle Ta'Quan Graham and WR Elijah Moore were excused for non-injury reasons.
T Cam Williams (knee contusion) and S Cole Wisniewski (hamstring) sat out for injury-related reasons. During the practice, G Micah Morris and Edge Keyshawn James-Newby left with undisclosed injuries. On the final play, T Jaeden Roberts, an undrafted free agent, appeared to suffer a serious leg injury. He was carted off.
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: Eagles Day 3 camp observations. Is offense struggling, or D that good?
Continue reading...
Linebacker Zack Baun reached up and deflected the pass at the line of scrimmage.
On the next play, Hurts again looked over the middle, only to have defensive tackle Jalen Carter bat the pass down.
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
This is supposed to be the crux of the Eagles offense under new coordinator Sean Mannion, with Hurts lining up more under center, throwing more over the middle, and working in more play-action passes.
And yet, Hurts seemed so frustrated when those two passes were batted down that he threw deep down the sideline on the next play ... to nobody in particular.
That's pretty much how it's gone for the Eagles' offense so far during the first three days of Eagles training camp. Is that cause for concern? Or is it a product of being early in training camp, with the offense going against what's looking again like a top-five defense in the NFL?
The way Mannion sees it, it's all part of the process, especially with regards to Hurts.
"He's very uniquely talented, in terms of the athletic ability," Mannion said about Hurts. "It's something that he's been effective with throughout his career. That's part of what makes him such a special talent. He's done a lot of things well. He's really operated through all facets of the offense comfortably."
Hurts hasn't thrown a touchdown pass so far in camp. But it should be noted that the Eagles only ran their first red-zone drills on Aug. 1. Over the previous two days, the Eagles mostly operated from their half of the field, so those opportunities were not there.
Hurts has also not thrown an interception. In both regards, the results have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Mannion, for one, knows there will be growing pains. For the early days, he's focusing on the pre-snap operation and making sure that improves. So far, he said it has.
"The big thing for us every day is high-level competition, competing against yourself, competing for a role on a roster, and then competing against the defense every day," he said. "That's going to make us better and better. And for us offensively, can we have a sound pre-snap operation?
"It's still early, but I'm happy with the progress that we've made, and we've gotta keep improving from there."
There seems like a long way to go.
IS BRANDON GRAHAM RETURNING? Did Eagles clear way for Brandon Graham return in 'choppy' player's role?
JALEN CARTER CONTRACT FALLOUT: This Eagles player's future is most affected by Jalen Carter contract
Jeremiah Trotter makes most of his chance
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell was one of four players excused from practice for non-injury reasons. That gave his backup, Jeremiah Trotter, a chance to play alongside Baun.
Trotter took advantage. On one play, Trotter broke up a Hurts pass in the flat to Saquon Barkley and just missed intercepting it for what would have been a pick-6. On another, Trotter dived and broke up a pass intended for Makai Lemon in the end zone during a red-zone play.
In general, the first-team defense was dominant. That included the back end, where safety Drew Mukuba has quickly established himself with Reed Blankenship gone in free agency.
Cooper DeJean has also adapted well to the safety spot in base defense, then at nickel, where he was an All-Pro last season. On one play, DeJean covered rookie Makai Lemon, lined up in the slot, on a deep ball toward the sideline as the pass fell incomplete.
"Cooper’s come along pretty well," Mukuba said. "He’s obviously learning, but he’s a natural defensive back. He’s gonna make plays on the ball."
Injury update
In addition to Campbell, right tackle Lane Johnson, defensive tackle Ta'Quan Graham and WR Elijah Moore were excused for non-injury reasons.
T Cam Williams (knee contusion) and S Cole Wisniewski (hamstring) sat out for injury-related reasons. During the practice, G Micah Morris and Edge Keyshawn James-Newby left with undisclosed injuries. On the final play, T Jaeden Roberts, an undrafted free agent, appeared to suffer a serious leg injury. He was carted off.
More training camp observations
- Fred Johnson, not rookie Markel Bell, took Lane Johnson's spot with the first unit at right tackle. Bell, the Eagles' third-round pick, was the left tackle with the second unit. And he appeared to have a strong day going mostly against Arnold Ebiketie.
- Hurts had back-to-back strong throws to Hollywood Brown and DeVonta Smith. Both were towards the middle of the field and gained about 20 yards.
- Andy Dalton was the second QB in team drills over Tanner McKee. Dalton had a strong throw to Hollywood Brown. He had another deep ball to Quez Watkins that would have been a long gainer. But Jakorian Bennett was flagged for defensive pass interference.
- The Eagles ran their first red-zone drills on Day 3. Hurts ran one in, but did not throw any TD passes.
- CB Mac McWilliams, the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2025, broke up two passes intended for rookie TE Eli Stowers over the middle. Both were passes from McKee.
- The Eagles have their first day off of camp on Aug. 2. They'll be back for practice on Aug. 3-5 at Jefferson Health Training Center at 10 a.m. each day.
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: Eagles Day 3 camp observations. Is offense struggling, or D that good?
Continue reading...
