PHILADELPHIA – Before getting a day off, Eagles quarterbacks took to the NovaCare Complex practice fields Thursday, working on situational offense and even the “victory formation.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said the team had eight “install” periods scheduled for the beginning of training camp, with Thursday being the final session in which the team practices new plays to get acclimated to them.
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Sirianni added that Jalen Hurts is grasping the offense and making progress as camp moves forward.
“I think he’s doing a great job of understanding the offense and learning the offense and getting the reps of the offense, but now as we get in, this is our eighth install because we combine two, so that will come even more when we start to repeat plays even more as we come into this next week,” Sirianni said before Thursday’s practice.
The quarterbacks also took part in a unique drill that looked like it was meant to help them avoid pass rushers while staying in a position to throw the ball downfield.
With one quarterback in the middle and the other two, along with quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson and another assistant surrounding them, two medicine balls were thrown in the direction of the quarterback in the middle (some that went high a couple of times).
The quarterback had to move their feet, stay in the middle while avoiding the ball. In a way, it was the football version of dodgeball. This drill is important because it not only forces the quarterbacks to anticipate where the rush is coming from, but to stay in a good posture and throwing position while keeping the eyes down the field. The last thing a quarterback wants to do is have his eyes come down to the rush, losing sight of a potential receiver breaking open downfield.
Here is the Day 8 report card for the three quarterbacks on the Eagles’ roster:
Jalen Hurts
Accuracy
Hurts completed all five of his passes during the 7-on-7 period, working on the short routes in the middle of the field. The passes during that period were in an area that allowed the receiver to catch the ball cleanly and turn up the field to make a play. Hurts also looked decent in the one-on-one drills between the receivers and defensive backs, only having a couple of instances where he looked off and had his passes sail high.
When it came time to 11-on-11, Hurts and the first-team offense struggled early with getting positive plays through the air, going 2-of-4 in the first team session. However, Hurts did better in the second team session once he started running a little bit more.
Favorite Target
Hurts targeted tight end Dallas Goedert five times during practice, including a stretch where three straight passes went his way.
Play of the Day
Facing a lot of pressure from the defense and not initially seeing anyone get separation from their defenders, Hurts scrambled around to buy time, allowing tight end Zach Ertz to get open. Hurts thew the pass on target to pick up the first down
Overall Grade
Hurts seemed to use his legs more during this session, not only completing that pass to Ertz but picking up a first down after seeing nothing open downfield and the sideline open.
Grade: B
Accuracy
Flacco threw the ball well while he was in the pocket and when he was on the run. Flacco seemed to focus more on the intermediate routes during practice while still mixing in check-down throws and short passes in the middle of the field. In both of those areas of the field, he threw catchable balls on all but one of his throws.
Favorite Target
Flacco threw the ball to Running back Kenny Gainwell twice, making him the only receiver with more than one target on the day.
Play of the Day
After giving a play-fake, Flacco began scrambling to his right before doing deep to wide receiver Greg Ward, who got behind the defensive backs. Ward hauled in the pass and ran unimpeded toward the end zone.
Overall Grade
Flacco has been playing well for the most part and has solidified himself as the primary backup to Hurts. He still looks mobile enough to move around and make plays if he has to enter a game at some point this season.
Grade: B+
Accuracy
Mullens looked accurate on Thursday. During the drill period where the wide receivers were going head-to-head against the cornerbacks, Mullens placed the ball in areas that allowed the receivers to play plays and make it difficult for the defenders to deflect the ball without running through the receivers. Mullens carried the accuracy over to the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 sessions.
Favorite Target
Mullens threw the ball in the direction of running back Adrian Killins three times during practice, completing two throws.
Play of the Day
During the 7-on-7 drill, Mullens threw the ball to the back pylon for wide receiver Jalen Reagor to grab. With cornerback Darius Slay playing tight coverage on Reagor, Mullens’ pass was just far enough in front of Reagor for him to make a one-handed catch.
Overall Grade
After having two less-than-stellar practices earlier this week, Mullens has strung two straight strong performances.
Grade: B
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.