August 13, 2015

Eagles practice notes leftovers

By Jimmy Kempski
PhillyVoice Staff

Tim Sharp/AP

Brandon Graham is a more well-rounded linebacker than is perceived.

Last night, I wrote 856 words on Sam Bradford alone in my practice notes, and then another 500+ on the wide receivers. However, I still had plenty left over, so let's cover what we left out last night.

• I think the perception is that Brandon Graham is a one-trick pony. Some think of him as a pass rush specialist who isn't a great fit for OLB in a 3-4 scheme. While I agree that he is probably better suited to be a 4-3 DE, I disagree that he is a one-trick pony. Graham also does a great job against the run. "He can really set an edge and turn the ball back inside, especially in the run game," said Chip Kelly. "Sometimes when you're taking a shorter outside linebacker, you worry about them being able to set the edge, but he's outstanding at that. That's really one of his strengths."

The three main things you're looking for from a 3-4 OLB are pass rush skills, ability to hold the edge in the run game, and being able to drop into coverage. Graham is good at two of the three. If he can be functional in coverage whenever the Eagles ask him to drop (which shouldn't be too often), he can be a well-rounded starter there.

• I've been impressed by rookie ILB Jordan Hicks' athleticism in coverage. In yesterday's practice, he read the QB and jumped in front of TE Justin Tukes for a near INT.

• I'm beginning to think that if Chip Kelly holds a guy out of practice because he's "dehydrated" or his "load levels" aren't right, that player actually has a minor injury and the Eagles just don't want to say so.

• The Eagles brought in three undrafted free agent tight ends this offseason. That tells me that they probably want to keep at least one on the practice squad. Of the three, Eric Tomlinson has been the most impressive catching the football, in my opinion.

• I had previously noted that rookie CB Randall Evans was having a rough camp so far, but yesterday he had some very good moments. During one-on-one drills, he muscled a receiver trying to come off the line, and the receiver was never able to get into his route. Evans then stuck in the receiver's hip pocket for the rest of his busted route, and made a pick. Impressive play. Then later, he got his hand in and broke up a deep ball.

• A number of you have asked about Earl Wolff. Unfortunately, I haven't seen Wolff stand out at all in camp so far.

• Bennie Logan said that the Eagles' defensive linemen have broken a few sleds during camp. This is by design. If they have three sleds and they break one, that means fewer sled reps and more of a rest in between team drills.

• Zach Ertz has the "Jeremy Maclin award" for the player most often hurt during practice on lockdown. He took a football to the groin yesterday, and stayed down on the sidelines for a few minutes.

• Here's Tim Tebow signing a Bible:

I’m pretty sure someone got Tim Tebow to sign a bible. Don’t know how I missed this before… #Eagles pic.twitter.com/B33xCoPFbH
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) August 12, 2015