Every part of this 2024 Eagles Training Camp is in the early stages, very fluid and subject to change. Drawing conclusions is a dangerous proposition given that the regular season remains six weeks away with so many hurdles to clear between now and then.
Buuuuuttttttt ...
It's also hard to watch these sessions and not come away with some thoughts. And so here are some about the offense two days into the scene at the NovaCare Complex, where the energy and level of enthusiasm are impossible to ignore:
- There are some distinct differences between this offense with Kellen Moore as the new coordinator and what we've seen in the recent past, many of which will be clear when the regular season begins and the Eagles are gameplanning against a specific defense. You could reasonably expect, though, that there would be a learning curve in Training Camp with respect to the players digesting and incorporating the new terminology and scheme. And I'm sure the coaches are cleaning up plenty in the post-practice meetings. But to the observer's eye on the field, the offense looks fast and in sync and one measure of the efficiency is the paucity of balls on the ground, penalty flags flown, false starts happening, and mis-aligned players causing plays to be run again. Operationally, the offense looks very, very on point.
- Quarterback Jalen Hurts has command of the offense. He looks really quick with his decision making and he's outrunning defenders when he takes off with the football in his hands. Faster than last season, yes. Hurts is healthy, he's in Training Camp with a great mindset, and he understands very well what this offensive scheme and the talent around him can mean. The goal is to have a dynamic, efficient offense that can win in multiple ways and the early practice reps have not disappointed at all.
- Picking up where they left off, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have been explosive with their route running and in their catch effectiveness. They are just so much fun to watch and it really makes you think back to all the years – the early 2000s come to mind – when the Eagles operated without that kind of top-shelf talent at wide receiver. What a difference it makes to have two stars at wide receivers who complement each other so well – "Peanut butter and jelly," Brown said on Wednesday.
- Now, it's fair to say that after Brown and Smith there are questions about the rest of the wide receiver depth chart. It is, clearly, an open competition. Real talk from Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman: "We brought in guys that we think have talent and the ability to contribute for us, but to sit here and say that's not something we're going to be watching every day and seeing who steps up and how the chemistry is with Jalen, it's important. You know, I think that you look at it throughout the league, that position is an important position. We brought in guys in free agency; drafted a couple guys. I think it's something that we're going to be watching among other things daily and see who steps up."
- How the Eagles will use tight end Dallas Goedert and what kind of depth develops behind him is critical, of course, but it's worth noting that he's been involved in a lot of ways so far – big plays down the field, some movement in the short-passing game, over-the-middle gains. It makes sense that the Eagles want to utilize Goedert in a lot of ways, and he is clearly bullish on how things are going so far. "I think the offense is really clicking right now. We spent a lot of time learning it, dissecting it, figuring it out during OTAs earlier, and then coming back and the way we've been moving, the way things have been installed and just rolling in practice, I feel like everybody took that step. Just kind of absorbed it in OTAs and right now it feels like we're firing on all cylinders. Obviously, we've got more to install and things like that, but right now we're pleased with where we're at." The key here: The way the coaches teach the offense, the way they communicate it and install it, and the absorption process from the players.
- The offensive line is a work in progress with left guard Landon Dickerson recovering from a lacerated toe. Mekhi Becton has taken reps there with the starters, with Tyler Steen taking first-team reps at right guard. Cam Jurgens is your center and the sense here is that there are really no concerns at all there. He's got experience, he's enormously talented, and he has a total understanding of what Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland demands from his linemen. Depth is what we're all watching as the Training Camp practices march along.
- Finally, let's talk about running back Saquon Barkley and what we've seen: He's always working on his game, addressing the little things, searching for ways to grow his performance. Barkley catches everything thrown his way and he has run with decisiveness. He will get his touches if all goes according to plan. The talent when you see him on the field in this offense is clear as day: The man can do it all.
