Adrian Fedkiw
Jalen Mills arrived at the NovaCare Complex Monday with a shiny green haircut, but his play on the field might be garnering more attention than his fancy new hairdo.
The seventh-round rookie out of LSU impressed again in Day 2 of Training Camp. If he can keep this level of play going when the pads get put on, the Philadelphia Eagles might have something here.
Let’s take a look at what some of the beat writers had to say of his performance on Tuesday.
Another good day today for Jalen Mills, who said Jim Schwartz asked him if he'd used highlighter on his hair: pic.twitter.com/YyiQmIMJO9
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) July 26, 2016
Jalen Mills with a pass breakup on a deep attempt. For a small corner, he can really get up. #Eagles #🐇
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 26, 2016
Chase Daniel unfurls a pass in Jalen Mills' direction. I'll let you use your imagination to decide how that played out. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 26, 2016
Another day of #Eagles practice, another play where Jalen Mills breaks up a pass. Tipped away a 20 yard throw from Chase Daniel.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 26, 2016
McLane: Jalen Mills has continued to shine. When it comes to pass defending; he's good. He may challenge for a starting spot. He's impressed
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) July 26, 2016
May challenge for a starter spot Jeff McLane? I think it’s still a bit too soon for that, let’s get the pads on first before we start talking starter.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz commented on that during his press conference Tuesday.
“Let’s be honest, we haven’t had pads on yet. Football is meant to be played with pads,” he said. “You can have a guy in the right position and look good out here, but if he can’t make that tackle, that scheme didn’t mean anything.”
This is exactly how I feel. And what about that open competition at cornerback?
“It’s going to be fun to watch the corners compete,” Schwartz said. “With the blend of veteran players, a guy like Nolan Carroll, Leodis McKelvin, some young guys that have some opportunities. Jalen has done a nice job for a rookie so far. Ron Brooks is going to have an opportunity. Guys coming off injury, like Shep (JaCorey Shepherd). It’s going to be exciting watching those guys. If they show the ability to cover and they show that they will challenge guys, we will use all of them.”
Mills is showing a lot of promise, let’s hope it continues.