The Philadelphia Eagles report to training camp in a few hours, with the first official camp practice of the 2019 season taking place at noon on Thursday. There are a boatload of things to talk about like the return of DeSean Jackson, or the additions of Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders.
Jason Peters replacement at left tackle was drafted and the Nick Foles era has officially ended. With the Eagles just hours away from chasing another Super Bowl, here are the six biggest storylines heading into training camp.
1. How fans will react to only having 1 open practice to attend
The Eagles caused a raucous with the news that the franchise plans to cut the number of public training camp practices at Lincoln Financial Field from two to one this summer and will charge admission with proceeds going to the team’s Autism Challenge.
How fans will react throughout the summer and going forward will say a lot in how the Eagles approach this matter going forward, especially with some teams around the league having double-digit open practices.
2. Which young DE will emerge to apply needed pressure off the edge
Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson are the stars in the middle but everything for the Eagles defensive line starts with the pressure off the edge. The Birds will have Brandon Graham, a healthy Derek Barnett, and Vinny Curry’s return as a third end who can rush the passer and set the edge against the run. Even with Shareef Miller being a fourth-round pick, it’s imperative for Josh Sweat to make his presence known on the edge.
3. Cornerback battle for the ages
This will be the summer of Avonte Maddox, but for the rest of the Eagles cornerback, it’ll be the most important battle on the roster. Ronald Darby is the highest-paid and he’ll start training camp on the PUP list. Darby (knee) and Jalen Mills (foot) are coming back from season-ending injuries and can’t afford to lose ground to Sidney Jones, Maddox, and Rasul Douglas. Douglas made some very positive strides last season and his physical play is a must around the NovaCare Complex. Cre’Von LeBlanc saved the Eagles season and it’ll be interesting to see what role Jim Schwartz finds for him.
4. Carson Wentz’s health will always be breaking news
Some Eagles fans will spend the majority of this season monitoring the team’s injury report. The more time passes without fans and Eagles brass hearing about Wentz having bumps and bruises, the more enjoyable this season will be for the Birds. Wentz is the face of the franchise, coming off a full offseason of work and the difference between a Super Bowl run and offseason uncertainty.
5. Brandon Brooks readiness for week 1?
Brandon Brooks has been working to get back since the loss in New Orleans, but his health is pertinent to the Birds and he shouldn’t’ be rushed. Halapoulivaati Vaitai got first-team reps all offseason and could turn this showing into a bigger role in Philly or elsewhere.
6. Dallas Goedert-Zach Ertz co-starter?
It’s not really a position battle, but more like two dynamic tight ends that are versatile enough to both spend 50% of the packages on the field together. Goedert is the better blocker, but Ertz is the leading single-season pass catcher for tight ends in NFL history. It’ll be interesting to see how much 12 personnel is utilized and how the Eagles can incorporate Goedert without taking away from the 3 and 4 wide receiver sets.
