- Congratulations, everyone! We've made it. Preseason football begins Sunday with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. To celebrate this final weekend without game action in 2018, check out the Morning Roundup presented by Microsoft. Head coach Doug Pederson addresses the media following today's practice at 11:45 this morning and we'll carry it live.
1. Peter King's Three Takeaways From Eagles Camp
What's great about Training Camp is that national reporters come through and can offer a different perspective on the team. NBC Sports' Peter King came through on Saturday, and he had three key observations from the team's first practice in pads.
- It was an extremely encouraging sign that quarterback Carson Wentz not only went full go for the two hours and 40 minutes that the Eagles were on the field, but he was mobile in the pocket eluding defenders while attacking downfield in his first time wearing pads since he suffered the knee injury on December 10.'
- While Jason Peters wasn't as involved as Wentz, his progress is also a positive sign that he will be ready for Week 1 when the defending champions open the NFL regular-season slate against the Atlanta Falcons.
- The atmosphere of Eagles Camp. "There's not a lot of controversy here," King said. No contract disputes. Nothing that champions usually have to overcome. King, in fact, gives the Eagles "a decent shot" to repeat because of the team environment.
2. Will The Eagles Make A Deal (Or Two)?
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora also spent a couple of days visiting the Super Bowl Champs and thinks that Howie Roseman could be a dealmaker before the start of the regular season.
"I'd be shocked if the Eagles don't make at least two more trades before they play a game that counts," he wrote. "This roster is shaping up to be deeper than a year ago and possibly better than a year ago and barring a rash of injuries at particular position groups, they could have more running backs, quarterbacks and defensive backs than they can carry. Howie Roseman will be working the phones, trust me."
The Eagles usually will make trades during roster cutdown weekend but last season they acquired cornerback Ronald Darby from the Bills in exchange for a third-round pick and wide receiver Jordan Matthews. Darby tied a career high with three interceptions despite missing half of the season with an ankle injury.
3. Watch Jason Kelce Featured On E:60
Eagles fans may know Jason Kelce for his fearless play on the field or for the wild, passionate speech he delivered on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art after the Parade of Champions on February 8.
But on Sunday morning at 9 a.m., they will get to see a more personal side of the All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowl center when the E:60 special "Bond of Brothers" airs on ESPN. The feature profiles the relationship between Kelce and his younger brother, Travis Kelce, a three-time Pro-Bowl and All-Pro tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
What does Kelce think of the piece? Graham Foley has more.
4. Haloti Ngata Still Having 'Fun' At Training Camp
The 12th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is a five-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and he's won a Super Bowl. He's in his 13th NFL season and, get this, Ngata still gets a charge out of Training Camp.
"I just love everything about the game of football," Ngata said as he walked off the practice field on Saturday at the NovaCare Complex. "I love the game. I love the competition. I love the camaraderie. I love everything. That's my motivation. I just love being out here. To me, this is a lot of fun."
Dave Spadaro looks at how Ngata will be used on the Eagles' defense this season.
5. What's Next For Nelson Agholor?
I wrote in Saturday's Practice Notes that Nelson Agholor has been the best receiver early in camp. Last year, Agholor enjoyed a breakout season setting new career highs across the board and saving his best for last with a team-best nine catches in the Super Bowl win over the Patriots. Offensive coordinator Mike Groh, who was Agholor's position coach in 2017, offers what's next for the fourth-year pass-catcher.
"If you put it in kind of golf terms, hitting it a little bit further down the fairway, a little bit straighter, a little bit closer to the pin. But we're talking really, really fine things here. Nothing that probably the average fan would notice," Groh said.
"Nelson is one of our most diligent workers. One of the first people in the building. He knows exactly what he wants to get done each and every day. Asks the right questions, he's locked in, can run all day, loves ball, he's in tremendous shape, and just a great teammate."
6. Dallas Goedert Catching On Fast
Another gem from our Practice Notes was the play of the day that came when rookie Dallas Goedert hauled in a beautiful one-handed grab down the left hash from Wentz. The ball was a bit underthrown, and safety Rodney McLeod was right in the rookie's face, but Goedert went to the ground and still came up with the pass, drawing a ton of applause from the sidelines.
"Anytime the quarterback throws me the ball, I want to catch it," Goedert said. "I'm going out there trying to make a play every time. It was kind of lucky that it stuck right there. I like to think it's a little bit of natural ability as well as working on it."
Wentz and Goedert would hook up later in the drill for a 30-yard completion as well, which made me think of something. With Wentz getting a lot of second-team reps, alongside Goedert, those two appear to be developing a bit of a rapport. That could be something to watch for as the season progresses.
