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Eagles' Winners and Losers: Who helped, hurt themselves at OTAs?
Posted June 10, 2018 at 10:30 AM | Updated June 10, 2018 at 10:31 AM
By Zack Rosenblatt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
After 10 practices, Offseason Team Activity season is over for the Eagles. It was certainly an eventful stretch ...
Carson Wentz returned to the practice field ... Paul Worrilow suffered a season-ending injury ... Mychal Kendricks was cut ... the Eagles announced plans to visit the White House to celebrate Super Bowl LII ... NFL introduced a new national anthem policy ... President Donald Trump disinvited the Eagles from attending the White House ...
Now, it's over, and onto next week's three-day, mandatory veteran minicamp.
The media was only able to watch four of the 10 practices, but that was enough to at least get a feeling for where the roster stands heading into the rest of the summer season.
So, who has stood out so far? Who is in trouble?
Here's a look at the Eagles' winners and losers from OTAs.
a53i9580jpg-c7c3dfb49ad3c1e3.jpg
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Winner: QB Carson Wentz
Why him: Wentz was almost the NFL's MVP last season, and he was the MVP of Eagles' 10 OTA practices, too. It has nothing to do necessarily with performance — even though he looked generally on point — and more with health. Wentz suffered a Torn ACL in December and is already participating in 7-on-7 drills just six months later. He seems on track to be ready for Week 1, which is the biggest positive development for this Eagles team since they won Super Bowl LII in February.
Loser: Paul Worrilow
Why him: The Eagles signed Worrilow to be a key depth piece at linebacker and to help on special teams. Unfortunately, on the first day of OTAs — in his first-ever Eagles practice — Worrilow suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire season long before it even started. Unfortunate.
Even: Nick Foles
Why him: The Super Bowl MVP has taken the first team reps at quarterback so far and has looked fairly rusty, but Foles has long been more of a gamer than a practice player — even dating back to his time as a college football player at University of Arizona — and his performance in practice, especially OTAs, isn't a concern.
Jay Ajayi
Matt Slocum
Winner: RB Jay Ajayi
Why him: Prior to practice No. 1, Eagles coach Doug Pederson hyped up Ajayi as one of the players who returned to NovaCare Complex looking like he was in the best shape. Off-field distractions notwithstanding, Ajayi looks the part — he looks fit and quicker, and could be in line for a big year. Even in a deep backfield, the Eagles might deploy Ajayi as their bell cow in his contract year.
Loser: Donnel Pumphrey
Why him: In the first couple of practices, Pumphrey looked like the quick, agile running back the Eagles wanted when they picked him in the fourth round last year. Now, Pumphrey — who was placed on IR before the season last year and never played — is banged up again (injury unknown) and hasn't practiced the last few days in front of the media. For a player battling for a roster spot, he needs every chance he can get to prove he belongs.
Winner: Nate Sudfeld
Why him: A week ago, this would've gone the other way, as Sudfeld was battling inaccuracy and inconsistency, though he did show some flashes. This week, Sudfeld has looked the part of a valuable developmental quarterback prospect behind Wentz and Foles, and if he keeps up this trajectory, could replace Foles as the lead Wentz back-up in 2019.
Winner: Malcolm Jenkins
Why him: This one has less to do with football, though Jenkins still looks prime to continue performing at a Pro Bowl level. Jenkins' powerful, silent message for President Donald Trump on Wednesday after practice made waves in the sports community, and he continues to be an active and important voice in the Eagles locker room and in general as a social activist.
Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media
Loser: Josh Adams
Why him: Many were excited about Adams' addition as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, and it seems he might've been undrafted in the first place because of an injury he suffered at some point during the pre-draft process. As a result, Adams has yet to practice for the Eagles. He'll face an uphill battle to making the roster, though he's certainly, at minimum, a practice squad candidate anyway.
Winner: De'Vante Bausby
Why him: In terms of actual performance — as compared to health and emotional impact with Wentz — Bausby was the biggest winner in OTAs. Bausby received some reps as the No. 1 nickel cornerback — though defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has rotated a number of players — and acquitted himself well, pulling off multiple interceptions in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills over the last few practices. Bausby is really going to make it tough for the Eagles to release him.
Loser: Isaac Seumalo
Why him: The Eagles seem to be attempting to move Seumalo to center, though he hasn't participated all that much in practice. His versatility is valuable, but if he's unable to perform — and the Eagles don't even trust him enough to perform — he might not be long for the roster. Thursday, Chance Warmack worked with the first team at left guard as the Eagles did some shuffling with multiple starters absent.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Winner: Dallas Goedert
Why him: Goedert remains behind Richard Rodgers, signed as a free agent this off-season, on the tight end depth chart behind Pro Bowler Zach Ertz. That likely won't last long, though, as Goedert has proven why the Eagles chose him as their top draft pick this year. He's athletic with versatility and good hands, and could contribute right away as a red zone target.
Loser: LB Joe Walker
Why him: Walker was already a longshot to make the team. He's been limited or out for every practice open to the media, though free agent signee hasn't practiced either and that's Walker's main competition for a role as a back-up linebacker after Worrilow went down. Behind Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks, Nate Gerry, Corey Nelson and Kamu Grugier-Hill feel like roster locks.
Winner: Nate Gerry
Why him: Speaking of Gerry ... with the departure of Mychal Kendricks and limited status of Jordan Hicks, Gerry has received the bulk of first-team reps at multiple linebacker positions, though that might be in part due to the team acclimating Nelson to a new scheme. Still, Gerry has a real chance of being a sneaky breakout candidate this season, especially considering Hicks' injury history and the fact that Nelson is still unproven.
Loser: Billy Brown
Why him: Brown still has the look of an athletic, intriguing option at tight end, he's just fallen behind in the pecking order with Ertz, Rodgers and Goedert clearly ahead of him. Ones pads come on and practice begins in full, Browns' only chance is through injuries or him proving he's improved significantly as a blocker.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Winner: Mike Wallace
Why him: With Alshon Jeffery recovering from a shoulder injury, other receivers have had the chance to get looks in the Eagles offense, and Wallace has been perhaps the most impressive receiver thus far. He's the fastest receiver on the roster, even at 31, and seems primed for a bounce-back campaign with Carson Wentz throwing him the ball instead of Joe Flacco.
Loser: Wendell Smallwood
Why him: Smallwood is fighting for his roster life with Pumphrey, Adams and free agent signee Matt Jones, and he hasn't looked great so far. He fumbled in the first practice and has dropped a few passes, too. He'll need to step up if he wants to stick around.
Winner: Jason Peters
Why him: Like Wentz, Peters is working his way back from a torn ACL. Unlike Wentz, Peters is 36 years old and near retirement. He's been limited in practice, working mostly in the drill portion, but the fact that he's nearly healthy bodes well for the league's best offensive line and Peters has continued to add value as a leader on the sideline for younger players like rookies Matt Pryor and Jordan Mailata.
Loser: Greg Ward Jr.
Why him: Ward was already facing an uphill battle to the roster when the Eagles signed Markus Wheaton to compete with him, 2017 draft pick Shelton Gibson and Bryce Treggs. Then, Ward suffered a scary injury on Thursday, though the severity — it appeared to be head or neck-related — is unknown as of yet.
NJ Advance Media
Winner: Shelton Gibson
Why him: There are four locks to make the roster at wide receiver — Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Wallace and Mack Hollins. After that, if the Eagles only keep five receivers, it'll likely come down to Gibson, Wheaton, Ward or Treggs. Gibson's edge is that he was a draft pick just last season and probably has the highest ceiling. He's looked good — quick, athletic, confident — in practice thus far, and hasn't had as much of an issue with dropped passes as he did as a rookie.
Loser: Avonte Maddox
Why him: This is not so much because of performance as it is about everyone else he's competing with for playing time at the position. As a fourth-round pick, he's a lock t make the team, certainly, and has looked impressive at times. De'Vante Bausby has just been one of the best players in OTAs ahead of him, and the Eagles still have Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas around. Maddox could contribute on special teams, but if the roster stays as is, it could be week-to-week if he's active this season.
Winner: Steven Means
Why him: With Brandon Graham recovering from an ankle injury and Michael Bennett absent, there's been plenty of snaps available for Means to prove that he still belongs. The Eagles invested a fourth-round pick on Josh Sweat, which put Means on notice. As he often does, though, Means has looked impressive going against the second- and third-unit offensive line groups, pressuring the quarterback on a consistent basis. That's his path to the roster.
WHERE TO REACH ME
Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Eagles' Winners and Losers: Who helped, hurt themselves at OTAs?
Posted June 10, 2018 at 10:30 AM | Updated June 10, 2018 at 10:31 AM
By Zack Rosenblatt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
After 10 practices, Offseason Team Activity season is over for the Eagles. It was certainly an eventful stretch ...
Carson Wentz returned to the practice field ... Paul Worrilow suffered a season-ending injury ... Mychal Kendricks was cut ... the Eagles announced plans to visit the White House to celebrate Super Bowl LII ... NFL introduced a new national anthem policy ... President Donald Trump disinvited the Eagles from attending the White House ...
Now, it's over, and onto next week's three-day, mandatory veteran minicamp.
The media was only able to watch four of the 10 practices, but that was enough to at least get a feeling for where the roster stands heading into the rest of the summer season.
So, who has stood out so far? Who is in trouble?
Here's a look at the Eagles' winners and losers from OTAs.
a53i9580jpg-c7c3dfb49ad3c1e3.jpg
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Winner: QB Carson Wentz
Why him: Wentz was almost the NFL's MVP last season, and he was the MVP of Eagles' 10 OTA practices, too. It has nothing to do necessarily with performance — even though he looked generally on point — and more with health. Wentz suffered a Torn ACL in December and is already participating in 7-on-7 drills just six months later. He seems on track to be ready for Week 1, which is the biggest positive development for this Eagles team since they won Super Bowl LII in February.
Loser: Paul Worrilow
Why him: The Eagles signed Worrilow to be a key depth piece at linebacker and to help on special teams. Unfortunately, on the first day of OTAs — in his first-ever Eagles practice — Worrilow suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire season long before it even started. Unfortunate.
Even: Nick Foles
Why him: The Super Bowl MVP has taken the first team reps at quarterback so far and has looked fairly rusty, but Foles has long been more of a gamer than a practice player — even dating back to his time as a college football player at University of Arizona — and his performance in practice, especially OTAs, isn't a concern.
Jay Ajayi
Matt Slocum
Winner: RB Jay Ajayi
Why him: Prior to practice No. 1, Eagles coach Doug Pederson hyped up Ajayi as one of the players who returned to NovaCare Complex looking like he was in the best shape. Off-field distractions notwithstanding, Ajayi looks the part — he looks fit and quicker, and could be in line for a big year. Even in a deep backfield, the Eagles might deploy Ajayi as their bell cow in his contract year.
Loser: Donnel Pumphrey
Why him: In the first couple of practices, Pumphrey looked like the quick, agile running back the Eagles wanted when they picked him in the fourth round last year. Now, Pumphrey — who was placed on IR before the season last year and never played — is banged up again (injury unknown) and hasn't practiced the last few days in front of the media. For a player battling for a roster spot, he needs every chance he can get to prove he belongs.
Winner: Nate Sudfeld
Why him: A week ago, this would've gone the other way, as Sudfeld was battling inaccuracy and inconsistency, though he did show some flashes. This week, Sudfeld has looked the part of a valuable developmental quarterback prospect behind Wentz and Foles, and if he keeps up this trajectory, could replace Foles as the lead Wentz back-up in 2019.
Winner: Malcolm Jenkins
Why him: This one has less to do with football, though Jenkins still looks prime to continue performing at a Pro Bowl level. Jenkins' powerful, silent message for President Donald Trump on Wednesday after practice made waves in the sports community, and he continues to be an active and important voice in the Eagles locker room and in general as a social activist.
Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media
Loser: Josh Adams
Why him: Many were excited about Adams' addition as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, and it seems he might've been undrafted in the first place because of an injury he suffered at some point during the pre-draft process. As a result, Adams has yet to practice for the Eagles. He'll face an uphill battle to making the roster, though he's certainly, at minimum, a practice squad candidate anyway.
Winner: De'Vante Bausby
Why him: In terms of actual performance — as compared to health and emotional impact with Wentz — Bausby was the biggest winner in OTAs. Bausby received some reps as the No. 1 nickel cornerback — though defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has rotated a number of players — and acquitted himself well, pulling off multiple interceptions in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills over the last few practices. Bausby is really going to make it tough for the Eagles to release him.
Loser: Isaac Seumalo
Why him: The Eagles seem to be attempting to move Seumalo to center, though he hasn't participated all that much in practice. His versatility is valuable, but if he's unable to perform — and the Eagles don't even trust him enough to perform — he might not be long for the roster. Thursday, Chance Warmack worked with the first team at left guard as the Eagles did some shuffling with multiple starters absent.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Winner: Dallas Goedert
Why him: Goedert remains behind Richard Rodgers, signed as a free agent this off-season, on the tight end depth chart behind Pro Bowler Zach Ertz. That likely won't last long, though, as Goedert has proven why the Eagles chose him as their top draft pick this year. He's athletic with versatility and good hands, and could contribute right away as a red zone target.
Loser: LB Joe Walker
Why him: Walker was already a longshot to make the team. He's been limited or out for every practice open to the media, though free agent signee hasn't practiced either and that's Walker's main competition for a role as a back-up linebacker after Worrilow went down. Behind Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks, Nate Gerry, Corey Nelson and Kamu Grugier-Hill feel like roster locks.
Winner: Nate Gerry
Why him: Speaking of Gerry ... with the departure of Mychal Kendricks and limited status of Jordan Hicks, Gerry has received the bulk of first-team reps at multiple linebacker positions, though that might be in part due to the team acclimating Nelson to a new scheme. Still, Gerry has a real chance of being a sneaky breakout candidate this season, especially considering Hicks' injury history and the fact that Nelson is still unproven.
Loser: Billy Brown
Why him: Brown still has the look of an athletic, intriguing option at tight end, he's just fallen behind in the pecking order with Ertz, Rodgers and Goedert clearly ahead of him. Ones pads come on and practice begins in full, Browns' only chance is through injuries or him proving he's improved significantly as a blocker.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Winner: Mike Wallace
Why him: With Alshon Jeffery recovering from a shoulder injury, other receivers have had the chance to get looks in the Eagles offense, and Wallace has been perhaps the most impressive receiver thus far. He's the fastest receiver on the roster, even at 31, and seems primed for a bounce-back campaign with Carson Wentz throwing him the ball instead of Joe Flacco.
Loser: Wendell Smallwood
Why him: Smallwood is fighting for his roster life with Pumphrey, Adams and free agent signee Matt Jones, and he hasn't looked great so far. He fumbled in the first practice and has dropped a few passes, too. He'll need to step up if he wants to stick around.
Winner: Jason Peters
Why him: Like Wentz, Peters is working his way back from a torn ACL. Unlike Wentz, Peters is 36 years old and near retirement. He's been limited in practice, working mostly in the drill portion, but the fact that he's nearly healthy bodes well for the league's best offensive line and Peters has continued to add value as a leader on the sideline for younger players like rookies Matt Pryor and Jordan Mailata.
Loser: Greg Ward Jr.
Why him: Ward was already facing an uphill battle to the roster when the Eagles signed Markus Wheaton to compete with him, 2017 draft pick Shelton Gibson and Bryce Treggs. Then, Ward suffered a scary injury on Thursday, though the severity — it appeared to be head or neck-related — is unknown as of yet.
NJ Advance Media
Winner: Shelton Gibson
Why him: There are four locks to make the roster at wide receiver — Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Wallace and Mack Hollins. After that, if the Eagles only keep five receivers, it'll likely come down to Gibson, Wheaton, Ward or Treggs. Gibson's edge is that he was a draft pick just last season and probably has the highest ceiling. He's looked good — quick, athletic, confident — in practice thus far, and hasn't had as much of an issue with dropped passes as he did as a rookie.
Loser: Avonte Maddox
Why him: This is not so much because of performance as it is about everyone else he's competing with for playing time at the position. As a fourth-round pick, he's a lock t make the team, certainly, and has looked impressive at times. De'Vante Bausby has just been one of the best players in OTAs ahead of him, and the Eagles still have Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas around. Maddox could contribute on special teams, but if the roster stays as is, it could be week-to-week if he's active this season.
Winner: Steven Means
Why him: With Brandon Graham recovering from an ankle injury and Michael Bennett absent, there's been plenty of snaps available for Means to prove that he still belongs. The Eagles invested a fourth-round pick on Josh Sweat, which put Means on notice. As he often does, though, Means has looked impressive going against the second- and third-unit offensive line groups, pressuring the quarterback on a consistent basis. That's his path to the roster.
WHERE TO REACH ME
Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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