The numbers weren't exactly where the Eagles want them to be with the wide receivers in the passing game in Week 1. Nelson Agholor had eight receptions, for 33 yards. DeAndre Carter had one reception for 10 yards. Mike Wallace, zero catches on three targets.
Explosive passing game? Not against a very good Falcons defense on Thursday night.
Don't think the Eagles have lowered their expectations, however.
"There have been a lot of guys in and out during Training Camp, a lot of guys up and a lot of guys down," Wallace said on Monday as the Eagles returned to practice at the NovaCare Complex after three days off following the 18-12 victory over Atlanta. "You know it's just a timing thing. We've been all over the place as far as guys working consistently in practice. We'll jell. We had a pretty good day today. We hit some of those deep shots that we wanted. Obviously, it's practice and not a game, but it's a start. You have to start somewhere. Practice today was a great start and hopefully, we can bring that into Sunday."
While Wallace didn't have a reception, he drew a pass-interference penalty in the red zone and then worked himself deep down the field on a pass that was off the mark from quarterback Nick Foles.
"I want to be involved. I'm here to make big plays," Wallace said. "That's what I've done in my career and that's what I'm going to do here. It's going to come together for us. We just have to keep working at it."
The Eagles this week play at Tampa Bay against a defense that New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees shredded for 439 passing yards and three touchdowns. Week 1 results don't necessarily translate beyond that game, but the Eagles could have some opportunities to make plays in the searing heat of Tampa. An explosive passing game is about the only thing missing for the 1-0 Eagles, who battled for 60 minutes to pull out the total-team win against Atlanta.
To get to 2-0, the Eagles may very well have to make things easier for the defense by putting more points on the board offensively.
"As an entire offense we all just have to get on the same page, get clicking, get rolling, and we will," Carter said. "We'll keep working at practice and all of those things will come for us. We don't go into the game or go into practice worrying about how many targets we're going to get. You just have to make the plays when the ball comes your way and keep getting wins."
There has been no update on the status of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who continues to work his way back from offseason rotator cuff surgery. Until he returns, the Eagles will look to Agholor, Carter, Wallace, Shelton Gibson, and Markus Wheaton to move the offense in the air game.
"It's going to come for us," Gibson said. "We just have to keep working hard and doing our jobs. It's going to come. Everybody has confidence in our coaches and in each other. The important thing is that we got the win and we can move on and play better against Tampa Bay."
