When the Eagles starting units marched toward the end zone for a "live" goal line session, the practice grew spirited as some players looked to be settling scores.
As the offense lined up in a two tight end set, halfback Kenjon Barner saw a clogged up line of scrimmage and bounced his run outside, crossing the goal line inside the pylon. On the following play, Barner snatched a pass for his third total touchdown of the day. Zach Ertz would continue the success through the air as Sam Bradford went through his progressions nicely on the offenses third straight score.
With momentum growing, it was unheralded linebacker Marcus Smith who stopped the bleeding for the defenders. The first-team offense would finish the practice segment successful on three of their four scoring attempts.
It was then that the tide turned in favor of the defense. Vinny Curry would stuff the next two rushing attempts by the second-team offense as the defense grew boisterous. The veteran defensive end from Marshall University would go on to add a sack in the Eagles first tackling session in an astounding length of time.
#Eagles just had live tackling team drills for first time in 4 years. It is football after all.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 3, 2016
After a one day respite, cornerback Ron Brooks didn’t mince words when he trekked past reporters on his way to the practice field early this morning.
Ron Brooks walks out to the fields: "Y'all ready to see some hitting? Some real live hitting? Someone's going down today." #Eagles
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroCSN) August 3, 2016
Brooks’ stock took a bit of a downward turn today when Eagles coaches moved the line of scrimmage closer to midfield. After a missed tackle by Brooks a few plays earlier, tight end Trey Burton leaked out into the flat, secured a pass as he turned up field, lowered his shoulder pads and “trucked” the veteran defensive back on his way to a big gain.
Rookie running back Wendell Smallwood (quad strain) was absent from Wednesday’s practice, which would consist of two hitting segments. Once again, Ryan Mathews (ankle) and Brandon Brooks (hamstring) were held back today as they continue to recuperate.
Quarterback Carson Wentz’s unpredictable precision continued on this sunny morning in South Philadelphia. At one point during the individual period, media members scattered as the rocket-armed rookie sailed two passes over the heads of his receivers.
While many NFL teams’ kicker competitions are formalities, the Eagles have two strong contenders in Caleb Sturgis and Cody Parkey vying to win the often thankless job. Sturgis once again narrowly edged out Parkey when the two squared off in near perfect kicking conditions, with a light seven mile-per-hour breeze bearing west. Parkey missed just one of his attempts, while Sturgis was flawless once again.
After three consecutive practices with an interception, cornerback Eric Rowe had among his best days of camp on Wednesday. Against wide receiver T.J. Graham, the second-year defensive back used his size and strength to jam Graham at the line of scrimmage, disrupting his route enough to eliminate him from the play. Later, the former Utah Ute was sound in his coverage against Nelson Agholor on a comeback route.
Rookie receiver Cayleb Jones made a magnificent diving catch this morning which many reporters called the most impressive this camp.
WR Cayleb Jones just made great one-hand grab over tight man deep down sideline. Rookie FA who has legit chance at spot. Big poss type
— David Murphy (@ByDavidMurphy) August 3, 2016
The Arizona product has shown flashes of brilliance over the first ten practices of camp. Jones is a contender unseat Josh Huff on the 53-man roster, as the fierce competition has challenged the Eagles wide receiver group to improve throughout the unit.
Bradford had one of his best practices of camp after the day off. The former first overall draft pick launched a perfect pass to Barner who ran past Deonta Skinner on a wheel route for a 60-yard touchdown.
Wide receiver Hunter Sharp left the field after sustaining an apparent right hamstring injury this morning.
The Eagles will practice again in full pads tomorrow morning, though it’s likely the team will allow for some bruising to heal before going "live" again.
Patrick Del Gaone is a staff writer for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Del_Gaone.
