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Eagles OTAs: Highlights from Week 3

This week concludes the final days of voluntary OTAs [June 3-6]. The competition was passionate, the players went after it, and young players got a first-hand glimpse of what life in the NFL is like.  Mandatory mini-camp will begin next week, running from June 11-13. Here’s the best news, highlights, and buzz coming out of the last week of practice. 

Practice Highlights 

• Desean Jackson, Zach Ertz, Jordan Howard, got in great work during the open practice on June 3rd.

• Check all the action from Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, and more from June 5th.

Press Pass

• Listen to Doug Pederson outline Wentz’s progression, his belief that the veteran players will be ready to go, how to replace Darren Sproles, and more.

Check out Jordan Howard gets in-depth about his ability to catch passes. Brandon Graham talks about the young players he likes, the return of Vinny Curry, and why this will be a “double-digit” sack year for him.

• Zach Ertz talks about how he’ll train in Paris with a former Eagles player. Nate Sudfeld talks about the mindset of a backup quarterback and his expectations for the year.

Practice Notes: June 3rd 

(Thom Carroll)

• Carson Wentz: The Carson Wentz how continued this week during OTAs. He continued to find TD connections with DeSean Jackson, Greg Ward, Marken Michel, and other wide receivers. Reporters and coaches have praised Wentz’ accuracy, touch, and decision making throughout the OTAs.

Empty sets made an appearance this week. The thought of Jeffrey, Jackson, Agholor, Ertz, and Goedert Ertz on the field together is salivating.

Nate Sudfeld hooked up with WR Charles Johnson for three TDs.

Desean Jackson’s long speed shined when he caught a  simple crossing route and sprinted up the sideline.

Vinny Curry brought back the underdog bark after a J.J. Arcega-Whiteside dropped a slant from Wentz.

Lots of false starts and offensive line jumps during practice.

Penn State head coach James Franklin and several other staff members attended Eagles practice.

Malcolm Jenkins, Alshon Jeffery, Lane Johnson, and Jason Peters remain did not attend practice. All the individuals, excluding Peters, attended Carson Wentz’s AO1 charity softball game last Friday.

 Rodney McLeod practiced (limited) for the first time in the offseason.

Practice Notes: June 5th 

(Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

• Dallas Goedert is really good. The Eagles released this circus one-handed catch from practice this Wednesday:

Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and Nelson Agholor did not practice. Wentz and company were throwing to depth WRs throughout the session. Richard Rodgers snagged a nice TD from the franchise QB. JJ Arcega-Whiteside spun DB Jeremiah McKinnon around and made another impressive TD catch in the back of the end zone.

Josh Sweat is getting a ton of praise from the coaching staff and beyond. A rotational DE stepping up is critical since the departure of Chris Long.

Sidney Jones made a diving interception on the final play of practice.

•  Off-season acquisition Zach Brown also got on the INT scoreboard when he came up with a pick while covering a reserve TE.

Boston Scott remained the first-team punt returner. Scott also caught a TD pass off of a wheel route.

Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas were back outside as the outside corners with Avonte Maddox lining up in the slot. This is the second consecutive week of that look. Andrew Sendejo and Tre Sullivan were the starting safeties with Deiondre’ Hall taking first teams reps as the third safety.

•  Ronald Darby, Corey Clement, Mack Hollins, and Josh Adams continued to rehab on the sidelines.

News

(Philadelphia Eagles)

• Carson Wentz Extension: Carson Wentz signed a mega-deal to stay in Philadelphia through 2024.

• Joe Douglas and the Jets: Joe Douglas to the Jets was considered a slam dunk by some. The team did a second round of interviews on Monday night. It’s anybody’s guess if Joe Douglas will be with the Eagles when they come back for mandatory camp.

• Zach Brown on the locker room: Zach Brown went in-depth about the different atmosphere in the Eagles locker room than in others. The linebacker noted the closeness of the group and the family-style comradery.

• Adam Schefter on Malcolm Jenkins: Adam Schefter believes Malcolm Jenkins will be a no-show when mandatory camp starts.

• Darby’s Timetable: Ronald Darby stated this week that he has confidence that he will be ready for Week 1 of the season. “Yeah, that’s what I’m aiming for… Oh yeah, I’ll be doing stuff in training camp… I gotta see. We’ll talk it over.”

Bonus Points: Player Interactions of the Week

(Philadelphia Eagles)

Eagles Bowling Trip

Doug Pederson canceled the last day of OTAs and took the team bowling.

Malcolm Jenkins Still Working 

Carson is the Class of the NFC East 

Eagles hype man, Kyle Brandt, proclaimed Carson Wentz to be the best QB in the NFC East on Good Morning Football this week.

 

• The Eagles Autism Challenge raised millions this month.


You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].

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