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.
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• Check all the action from Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, and more from June 5th.
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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.
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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.
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• 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.
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Practice Notes: June 3rd
• 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.
“He looks good. I have been covering this team for 11 years and it’s not a stretch to say that he is looking better than any other quarterback I have seen here. The throws are at an elite level.” – @Jeff_McLane on Carson Wentz
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) June 4, 2019
• 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.
It’s only OTAs but Vinny Curry is barking like a dog after JJAW drops a pass. Tim Jernigan hyping him up even more by running to him and yelling “ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!” #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 3, 2019
• 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.
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Practice Notes: June 5th
• Dallas Goedert is really good. The Eagles released this circus one-handed catch from practice this Wednesday:
.@goedert33 making it look easy!#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/cKpfHkUWeE
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 5, 2019
• 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.
“Josh Sweat is nasttyyyyy, he looked great out there yesterday. I’m not worried about our DE’s at all. First step off the ball man, pssshhhhhh” – @72TraThomas on the 2nd year Eagles DE
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) June 6, 2019
• 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.
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News
• Carson Wentz Extension: Carson Wentz signed a mega-deal to stay in Philadelphia through 2024.
The #Eagles and Carson Wentz have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension through 2024.
📰: https://t.co/2SuuznqaoX pic.twitter.com/8ze1NlcWt2
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 6, 2019
• 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.
The Jets are not thrilled with the perception that Eagles executive Joe Douglas has the GM job if he wants it, per sources.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) June 5, 2019
• 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.
Zach Brown on no cliques in the #Eagles locker room pic.twitter.com/LQtqlJwZ1x
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) June 3, 2019
• Adam Schefter on Malcolm Jenkins: Adam Schefter believes Malcolm Jenkins will be a no-show when mandatory camp starts.
Adam Schefter on @975TheFanatic
“I think [the Eagles] know this is going to be an issue that will carry into and beyond next week. […] I don’t believe [Malcolm Jenkins] will be there [at mandatory minicamp].” https://t.co/hyHsDvuty6
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 5, 2019
• 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.”
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Bonus Points: Player Interactions of the Week
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Eagles Bowling Trip
• Doug Pederson canceled the last day of OTAs and took the team bowling.
Field trip for the Eagles!
Doug Pederson canceled last day of OTA’s and took Birds bowling 🎳
Team bonding day. Carson Wentz and Doug’s accuracy is on point#Eagles
🎥 @nelsonagholor pic.twitter.com/4Q4BDDsGvY— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 6, 2019
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We had some *spare* time today.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/TQUz5GF1So
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 6, 2019
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Malcolm Jenkins Still Working
Despite skipping OTAs, #Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is still putting in work.
Jenkins’ return to the team does not seem imminent, though. The Eagles have mandatory minicamps starting June 11, and reports say Jenkins is not expected to attend the team activities. pic.twitter.com/idKwJFESAQ
— Logan Banker (@LoganBanker_19) June 5, 2019
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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.
If @Eagles QB @cj_wentz is healthy, what does it mean for the NFC East?
“The best QB in the division by far is back.” —@KyleBrandt is here for it. pic.twitter.com/NRpQRwTuCB
— GMFB (@gmfb) June 4, 2019
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• The Eagles Autism Challenge raised millions this month.
The second annual Eagles Autism Challenge raised more than $3.5 million for autism research and care. Thanks to all of the participants, donors, and volunteers who made the event a success! pic.twitter.com/74Sekd70id
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 5, 2019
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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