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Eagles training camp 2020: 15 winners and 8 losers from the first week of practice
Now that the Philadelphia Eagles are halfway through their first 10 training camp practices, let’s assess the biggest winners and losers so far.
CARSON WENTZ
Wentz hasn’t been otherworldly spectacular or anything but he has been good. I’m not including him here for his performance so much, though. He makes the winners section because it looks like he might actually have some wide receivers to work with this year. Of course, it’s far too early to say that the young guy are definitely going to pan out. But they’re at least providing some cause for hope.
JALEN HURTS
Hurts is the No. 3 quarterback for now but it’s only a matter of time before he claims the No. 2 job. He’s impressed both throwing and running the ball. Hurts should be the Eagles’ quarterback if Wentz has to miss any kind of extended period of time.
JALEN REAGOR
Reagor made a strong impression in his very first practice. He’s caught everything thrown his way and you can see the juice he runs with after the catch. Reagor has been lining up with the first team offense so the plan is for him to be a Day 1 contributor. Still waiting on him to catch a deep ball touchdown but that’ll come.
DESEAN JACKSON
Jackson’s still got it despite coming off surgery and turning 34 this year. Durability is still very much a concern with him but he’s going to have a very productive season if he can manage to stay healthy. Wentz loves throwing to No. 10.
JOHN HIGHTOWER
The Eagles’ 2020 fifth-round pick flashed early in the week before turning in a really strong day of practice on Thursday. Hightower has demonstrated good hands (can’t recall any drops), crisp route-running (beat Darius Slay and Rasul Douglas in 1-on-1s), ball tracking (had a diving over the shoulder catch), and speed (deep touchdown reception). He’s not going to be in the starting lineup but he could be a role player or valuable backup.
J.J. ARCEGA-WHITESIDE
The bar was low for JJAW coming into camp following such a disappointing rookie season. He hasn’t looked amazing by any means but he has made some nice catches over the past couple days after missing practice due to injury earlier in the week. The Eagles are lining up JJAW as their first team X receiver. He’s on track to start for them against Washington in Week 1, though Reagor rotating in can/will eat into his playing time.
QUEZ WATKINS
On one hand, hard for Watkins to be a big winner with Jackson, Reagor, JJAW, Hightower, and Greg Ward arguably ahead of him. But the speedy Watkins has seen some first team reps in Jackson’s spot when the veteran has been resting. Watkins has also seemingly earned som level of trust with Wentz, who has targeted him a number of times. Watkins previously became a roster lock with Marquise Goodwin opting out but he’s only cemented his status on the team.
AVONTE MADDOX
No one wants to hear “I told ya so.” You don’t want to be the person saying that. And yet, here I am, telling you that I was right about there being no real competition for the starting cornerback spot across from Darius Slay. Such a notion was always farcical. Maddox has been the only guy taking reps there. And he’s looked good, too. He’s not perfect, no. There are obviously going to be times when his diminutive size works against him. But Maddox’s coverage in camp has been very sticky and he’s made some plays on the ball. He’s the best starting option at CB2.
JALEN MILLS
Still need to see how Mills handles the transition from cornerback to safety when the real games start but he’s off to an encouraging start. I haven’t noticed him involved in any blown coverages or getting burnt by anyone. He made a big play earlier in the week with a pick six on Wentz. The Green Goblin is also taking on more of a leadership role; Mike Garafolo recently reported he asked Doug Pederson if he could address the entire team. Mills is doing his best to try to fill the very big shoes that Malcolm Jenkins left behind.
WILL PARKS
I know everyone wants to see K’Von Wallace on the field and that still might happen in some capacity because he’s made some plays as well. But Parks is going to be the Eagles’ third safety. The Philly native has flown around and looked good on both defense and special teams. He plays with that confidence and swagger that Jim Schwartz loves to see from his defensive backs. Parks could be a real nice role player for this team. He figures to be a significant upgrade on previous third safety options like Corey Graham and Andrew Sendejo.
NICKELL ROBEY-COLEMAN
NRC looks like he’s locked in as the Eagles’ starting nickel corner. He’s made a number of plays on the ball, sometimes even deep down the field while covering Jackson. NRC has also been taking some outside corner reps with the backups in order to prepare him for having to move there if/when Slay shadows a top receiver into the slot.
HASSAN RIDGEWAY
Ridgeway’s looked good in both offensive line versus defensive line drills and full team drills. The fifth-year defensive tackle has managed to regularly generate pressure from the interior. He’s going to be the Eagles’ fourth defensive tackle behind Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Malik Jackson. Good to have depth at this spot, especially with Hargrave already banged up.
SHAUN BRADLEY
Bradley’s managed to stand out on most days of practice. The Temple alumnus hasn’t been afraid to be physical, he has athleticism to cover, and his position coach lauded him for taking on a leadership role when it was only the rookies in the building. Bradley’s not going to be in the staring lineup but he’s showing promise as a backup.
JOE OSTMAN
Ding him for beating inferior competition if you must but other guys aren’t always doing the same. Ostman has a legitimate case to be the fifth or sixth defensive end on the roster. He might not make it with the Eagles potentially leaning in a different direciton. But Ostman is producing and the Eagles are working him in that Joker role again.
GRAYLAND ARNOLD
Arnold might be the undrafted rookie free agent with the best chance to make the 53. He drew praise from Howie Roseman and Rodney McLeod before even camp started. He showed good physicality and positioning with the Eagles tackling to the ground on Friday. The Eagles could afford to hang on to a developmental safety with Mills and Parks playing on one-year deals and McLeod, 30, only signed through 2021.
NATE HERBIG
So, I don’t think Herbig has actually looked very good. I’ve seen him get beat in 1-on-1s and he had a bad snap over Hurts’ head. But he makes this section because his spot on the roster seems to be relatively secure. The Eagles had him lining up at first team right guard when Peters and Kelce both weren’t practicing. Herbig has also been utilized as the sixth offensive lineman in heavy sets. The Eagles liked Herbig enough to stash him on their roster last year and I don’t think they’re ready to give up on him. Keep in mind that he only turned 22 last month.
JASON PETERS
I can’t say that JP has been bad. But I don’t love how he missed the first couple days of practice and then he was in and out on Friday. Just wonder if he’s truly getting all the reps he needed to effectively transition to right guard. Perhaps I’m making too much out of this but my conversation with Tra Thomas leads me to believe it’s fair to harbor concern. Also should note that the Eagles’ offensive line as a whole has had two straight bad days when Peters has been in at right guard. It’s unclear how much of that, if any, is his fault. Still, not great.
NATE SUDFELD
Sudfeld had his best day of practice on Friday and he seems poised to start the season as the No. 2. The Eagles are preparing him for that role. But he’s clearly just less talented than Hurts, who has out-shined him overall. As I wrote earlier, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Hurts leapfrogs Suds. It’s a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if.’
DEREK BARNETT
I’m not ready to give up on Barnett just yet but this is a huge year for him. And the big point of emphasis was how he was going to be entering the season healthy after missing all of camp due to injury last year. Now Barnett might be in the same situation again this season as he misses the majority of practices due to an ankle issue. One can only wonder if this injury will linger and hamper his effectiveness. That’d be disappointing. The Eagles need Barnett to make a big leap in Year 4.
ALSHON JEFFERY
Jeffery seems bound to miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season while potentially starting out on reserve/PUP. Will there be a natural spot for him in the offense when he’s ready to return? It’s entirely possible. Injuries and/or young receiver struggles could have the Eagles happy to welcome him back into the fold. But what if the offense is really clicking without him? If the young guys are playing well, why take snaps away from them for a player who likely won’t be returning next season? The Eagles could be slow to activate Jeffery if they don’t feel like he’s needed.
SIDNEY JONES
Back in June, I asked BGN readers if they were buying or selling #SidneyJonesBreakoutSZN. The results:
Hard to be buying right now with Jones missing three straight days due to injury. Availability has obviously always been an issue with him.
Not to mention that Jones struggled when he was healthy earlier in the week. He got burned by Robert Davis at one point and gave up another big play to Josh Perkins. Not exactly household names there.
Even if Jones gets healthy and bounces back, he’s still not going to be starting across from Slay. Maddox is the man for that job.
RASUL DOUGLAS
It hasn’t been all bad for Douglas but he’s had more losses than wins. He’s still very much susceptible to getting beat deep, as seen by Hightower running by him on the first day of camp. Douglas’s lack of versatility also stands out when pretty much every other corner is able to play either inside or outside. I really don’t think Douglas is a lock to make the 53. He could be traded or cut.
JORDAN MAILATA
The Mailata experiment might be coming to an end. He hasn’t had a very good camp; there might not be enough progress made to justify keeping him on the 53. On one hand, the Eagles might not want to give up on the 23-year-old after investing a couple years into him. On the other hand, they have some new developmental tackles who are further along in Jack Driscoll and Price Tega Wanogho.
GENARD AVERY
Just haven’t noticed him do anything in camp and I made an effort to hone in on him on Friday as he went up against Mailata. Whereas Ostman was destroying the Australian sensation, Avery couldn’t do jack against him. Avery’s bound to be the fifth defensive end at best with Barnett, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Vinny Curry locked in as the top four. And I think Ostman and even Shareef Miller have shown more than Avery. That trade is looking like a total waste of a fourth-round pick.
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Benfica Chaves League Preview by Roger Schmidt
PREVIEW
ABOUT Benfica returns to competition, after a break from national team commitments, with the reception of Chaves this Friday, March 29, at 18:00 at the Estadio da Luz, in the game of the 27th round of the championship. Betkliche League.
Already preliminary press conferencewhich took place on the Benfica campus, Roger Schmidt emphasized that the team is in good shape meet with Chaveza rival who has nothing to lose when faced with the threat of relegation.
At the start of the decisive stage of the season, the coach remembered and praised that the Reds were still fighting for three trophies (Betklić League, Portuguese Taça and Europa League) and this was necessary. “We must use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate our highest level in everything.“, emphasized Roger Schmidt, distinguished Coach's Award at the ceremony dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the Club.
“We are in good shape, the first game is always demanding, but we are ready to play it.”
Roger Schmidt
What was it like preparing for this game against Chavez without any international players?
It was a typical international break, some players were with their teams, and I think it was a good opportunity for us to rest a bit and then get back to training. We did it very well and are excited to play again. Playing at home after the national team break is always a good start. All the national team players returned in good shape, a little tired, but without injuries. I'm happy with that, my biggest fear is always that they will get injured. We are in good shape, the first match is always demanding, but we are ready to play it. The decisive phase of the season begins and everything we have done over the last eight or nine months of this season had to be prepared for these weeks. We have six or seven weeks left to play, we still have three competitions to play and it really is a special season. When you can still win three trophies at the end of March, it's a very good season. Our task is to use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate to the highest level in everything. So, anything is possible. We have this expectation. For tomorrow [sexta-feira, 29 de março]Chavez and I know that this team is always difficult to play against. They are facing relegation, they have nothing to lose at our stadium. This is a good team, they have a good coach, and we have to solve this problem.
How did you feel when you left the Club’s 120th anniversary ceremony?
On Tuesday [26 de março], The gala was impressive. It always gives us a feeling of how great the Club is and how much love and passion there is in it. I'm always pleased to see that and how Benfica treats their history, former players and everything else. It's always something special and I'm so glad to be a part of it. We want to take this opportunity to please everyone around Benfica and within Benfica.
“Playing at home after the international break is always good”
Are you considering resting Otamendi and Di Maria for this game against Chavez before the two matches against Sporting? Is Ba suitable?
Of course they could rest. The question is: “Would it be beneficial for them to rest?” Both players like to play consistently and quickly. Sometimes they need a rest, like I gave Angel a few times. [Di María], when he played a lot of games in a row and there were big games ahead of us. Sometimes it makes sense to keep them out, but they are both key players for us and have performed at the highest level all season. I always have to make a decision about what is best for us and the players. Are they ready to play at this pace? They have shown this over the last 15 years. Are you ready to return to the club after the national team games and play again? They have also shown this over the past 15 years. I have no doubt that they are ready for tomorrow. [sexta-feira], play. Alex Ba is fine, we still have a little problem with load management, he had a problem and we want to be careful that it doesn't happen again. He's fine now, it was good not to play for the national team, he trained again and we tried to rest him at the right time. He's ready to play.
Di Maria has been going through a turbulent time for several days now: he and his family have received death threats. Is the player 100% physically and mentally ready for this game and the rest of the season?
What happened to him and his family shows how crazy the world is. It is catastrophic and catastrophic if something like this happens. It is clear that receiving such messages affects the player and the individual. We try to support him as best we can. He is professional and experienced enough to handle such situations, but such situations are completely difficult and rare, especially in a family. This is the worst thing that could happen, but we talked about it. He is trying to live a normal life. Of course, when something like this happens, some thoughts arise in your head, so we will try to support you as best we can.
“It’s time for all of us to show a very good attitude and performance on the field.”
In the last game of the championship, he said that a player who does what Kökçu did cannot be in the team. So, have you spoken to him? Can we expect him to be in the team for this game against Chaves?
As I said during the challenge with Casa Pia [26.ª jornada], my concern was to focus on the game. It would have been better not to mention him in this interview. He returned today [quinta-feira], we talked about it and it was actually exactly what I expected. It was not his intention to create this noise and negativity around our team. I already said before and after the Casa Pia game that I have complete confidence in him as a player, in terms of quality and also in his character. You made a mistake, this interview did no good to anyone. It was not good for us, for him and for Benfica, that's very clear. Now we have to deal with this. Even when players make mistakes, they are still my players, and sometimes I have to support them in difficult times. This is what we have to do, we've talked about it and now it's time to talk about it on the pitch. It's time for all of us, not just him, to demonstrate a very good mentality and performance in field. Everything that is not good for us, that can distract our attention a little, should be excluded. We have resolved this situation domestically and it is time to look forward. I'll be back tomorrow with the team [sexta-feira].
Kökçu was in the Turkish national team. Do you feel that your role in the national team is different from your role in Benfica?
I think I've said everything about Orkun. [Kökcü]. National teams and clubs are always different. These are different players, different tactical approaches. I don't think much about the choice. National team coaches have their own ideas, their own goals, and they must use the players as they see fit. I'm focused on what's happening here on our team, not just with Orkun. [Kökcü], but in general. Players who make it to national teams love to do it because it's a great honor for everyone. The national teams are preparing for summer competitions… These are two different things, and I am completely focused on the Club.
“Everything we did over the last eight or nine months of this season had to be prepared for these weeks.”
As for Juan Bernat, who was seen in training, will he be fit enough to contribute by the end of the season?
All of us, including himself, expected a different season. He is a very experienced player. Unfortunately, he came in with a minor injury, but he recovered and played a few minutes for us in five or six matches. Not full games, but a few minutes. He has been injured since the end of October, for five months now. I think now is not the time to think too much about next season, we need to think about it. He's working hard to get back on the field. He returned to training with the team this week, the first time in five months he has returned and we hope that he stabilizes with the workload, the football load and, of course, that he makes an impact in the last six or seven years. weeks. This is his situation at the moment. We are on a good track and we hope it will have a good impact at the end of the season.
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″I couldn’t leave without winning this award″
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″Most competitive costume required, Pepe’s costume″
Statements by Sergio Conceiçao after receiving the Golden Coach of the Year award at the Golden Dragons Gala
Golden Dragon cost: “I represent many people in this Golden Dragon. The first time I went to Olival with the president in 2017, he named the four essential pillars of FC Porto: rigor, competence, ambition and passion. Looking at it and being with it every day. My players, who don’t usually wear a formal suit as they do today, but the most competitive suit that is required, which is Pepe’s suit, give me great joy when I get up and go to work.”
Technical team and others: “With a super competent technical team, a health department, where there is not only Dr. Nelson Puga and therapists, but also an optometrist, pedologist, a number of people who work daily so that the players do not miss anything. and so that year after year they can get better and win, which is what we want.”
Techniques: “Victory. Not forgetting the people in the kitchen, in the restaurant, the people involved in analysis and observation, the equipment technicians, because today everyone is a technician… [risos]🇧🇷 Lawn techniques too, because I am very picky about the height of the lawn. I think that every detail is important and matters. Finally, a number of people who contribute to making this possible. This is not mine, this belongs to the people of Olival, who are always led by our great, my friend and godfather, the president.”
A family: “Finally, to paraphrase our Gonzalinho [Borges], I want to dedicate it completely to my family, which is not easy, and parents, as always. Not being among us, they will certainly be very proud, not least because they have received two more extremely important people in the life of the club and that together they are up there watching us so that FC Porto becomes bigger , was getting better. , become stronger and win. And let’s keep it up. Is always. Because we deserve it. We are also honest, serious, dedicated and competent workers.”
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