3 thoughts from Eagles training camp, Day 10: Miles Sanders as LeSean McCoy? Pump the brakes ... for now
Updated Aug 05, 2019; Posted Aug 05, 2019
Eagles hold open practice at Lincoln Financial Field
By Zack Rosenblatt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
PHILADELPHIA — After about 30 minutes, DeSean Jackson had just about enough. The only music that had played came from Grateful Dead's catalog, a far cry from the typical rap, pop or beat-bumping music typically played at NovaCare Complex.
Jackson demanded a change.
He got his wish. Back to rap.
Practice was already over about 30 minutes later. If you can't tell, it was a light day.
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After a fun night at Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Eagles took it a bit easier on Monday, and multiple veterans — most notably center Jason Kelce and receiver Alshon Jeffery — received rest days.
It was only a 10-10-10 day of practice, so we didn't track every throw from Carson Wentz this time, but there was still a lot to learn, especially after offensive coordinator Mike Groh spoke post-practice.
Here are three takeaways from Monday's light practice.
(Note: The Eagles will get back to a full practice on Tuesday morning before Wednesday's day off and Thursday's preseason home opener against the Titans.)
1. More Miles: Excluding, maybe, Carson Wentz and DeSean Jackson, rookie running back Miles Sanders has been the talk of training camp. The Penn State alum missed all of minicamp, but he hasn't missed a beat, has received many of reps with the first-team and has easily been the most impressive runner on the team through 10 training camp practices.
The hype machine reached a fever pitch at Sunday's open practice, especially after a run where Sanders was running up the middle during red-zone drills and nothing was there so he jump-cut to the outside and scored an easy touchdown.
"It was an excellent cut," Groh said, "and one of those kind of runs where you're standing back there and kind of look at each other and go: 'that's a heck of a run'."
Clearly, the Eagles saw something when they drafted him in the second round, which they haven't done since picking LeSean McCoy that high 10 years ago.
"We all felt strongly about Miles and his ability," Groh said.
About McCoy: There's been some who have been quick to compare Sanders to McCoy, precisely because of his ability to cut on a dime, his burst, acceleration and playmaking ability.
That's all true, and promising, but let's pump the brakes on that ... at least for now.
McCoy came into the NFL after two utterly dominant seasons at Pittsburgh where he was one of the best pass-catching running backs in college football.
Sanders — who only started one season at Penn State — has yet to play against anyone other than his teammates in the NFL, and only in a practice setting. I fully expect him to become the Eagles' No. 1 running back — and soon — but there are still a few important areas of improvement for Sanders that could prevent him from being a bell-cow right away: pass-catching, pass protection and ball security.
Sanders had a bad drop during red-zone drills on the sideline on Tuesday on a pass attempt from Sudfeld. That's going to happen, but the Eagles need him to progress in those areas before he gets the keys to the car.
I asked Groh about his progress in those areas. Here's what he said: "Miles is doing a great job every day. He's coming out, knows what we want him to get better at each and every day and he's really just kinda started getting out there, being involved in the huddle and being a part of the play call, deciphering what the defense is doing, getting after it and we think he's really making good progress."
2. Howard Power: Speaking of Sanders and pass protection, that's one of the primary reasons I believe that, if/when Sanders becomes the team's lead running back, Jordan Howard will still play a significant role.
For one, Duce Staley and Doug Pederson have never been the sort of team to go away from a committee approach. Howard also is proven in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and has been the top option in that area during training camp.
Also: Howard is one of the better running backs in pass protection in the NFL. He's not much of a pass-catcher either, but that's what Darren Sproles is still around for.
"He's done a really nice job both in catching the ball and in the protection," Groh said of Howard. "He's been all over his protection. Done a really good job with that, been sound and firm in protection allowing our quarterbacks to step up in the pocket and make the throws down the field."
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3. Nate Sudfeld rising: After a rough week to open camp, Nate Sudfeld has put together a few productive practices in a row. It's never perfect, but progress is important, especially as he enters his first NFL season with a significant role, as Carson Wentz's backup.
Monday during red-zone drills, he had a nice pass in the end zone to tight end Alex Ellis, placing it in a spot where nobody else could get it. On Sunday, he had a few impressive throws, including a bullet early to a well-covered J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in the middle of the field.
Thursday's preseason game should feature a heavy dose of Sudfeld.
"He's got a very good grasp" of the offense, Groh said. "He's decisive out there. He's seeing what the defense is trying to do to him and he's got an answer immediately and is able to get in and out of the right plays. He played fast (Sunday) night, made some good throws and was really effective."
Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zrosenblatt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.