Rookie Thorson has a lot on his plate, including sunflower seeds
PHILADELPHIA >> Life in the NFL is difficult for any rookie, particularly a quarterback competing for a roster spot such as Clayton Thorson.
Each day the Eagles’ fifth-round pick out of Northwestern gets a new set of plays to learn. Each day he applies terminology he’s still trying to get comfortable with to the calls he makes. Then he attempts to go through the progressions, one after the other at practice.
There’s one other major responsibility for Thorson. It’s a direct order from Carson Wentz. Each day Thorson has to stock the quarterback meeting room with high quality sunflower seeds rich in vitamin B, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, protein and vitamin E.
“Probably a little too many speeds,” Thorson said. “Just some spits.”
Eagles backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld said the rookie task is “all in good fun,” and Thorson confirmed it. For now, it’s the one thing Thorson can do absolutely right each and every day because sunflower seeds is universally understood.
“I think when I first got here for rookie minicamp, I was just trying to learn what things meant,” Thorson said. “Like, what does this word mean in our offense? Now I’m much more familiar with it. I’m just trying to learn, just trying to get better. I just want to learn from my mistakes and get better.”
Wentz, Sudfeld and veteran quarterback Cody Kessler all have been through what Thorson is experiencing largely in oppressive heat at training camp.
“I try to tell him every day it’s a process and you’ve got to keep working through it,” Sudfeld said. “He’s got a ton of natural talent. He’s really smart, athletic. He’s got all the tools to be a great player in this league. And he’s a great guy.”
The biggest challenge for Thorson is transferring the information he gets to the field. He described it as “identifying defenses and playing fast.
“I’m just trying to go through the progressions and play within myself,” Thorson said.
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The next fashion statement Rodney McLeod makes will be getting rid of the balky brace protecting his surgically reconstructed knee.
McLeod, part owner of Back of House USA clothing for athletes, had an ACL and MCL repaired after the knee blew up in the Week 3 win over the Colts. While McLeod says it’s rough covering receivers in one-on-one drills, “I’m sure they get a little upset when I do cover them with the brace.
“It’s definitely challenging,” McLeod said. “I’d rather be without it. It’s the early stages. I’m wearing it for precautionary reasons. But I feel like I’m still moving well with it. it doesn’t really hinder me.”
The Back of House apparel business in Washington, D.C. features street wear brands of clothing. Much of the clothing favors inshape types. McLeod’s suggestion for aging sportswriters?
“I would probably say you would buy one of our button-up items,” McLeod said. “That’s kind of your flavor right there. I wouldn’t put you in some of the more edgy things that I might put Jalen Mills in.”
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NOTES >> The absolute longest autograph line of training camp prize goes to Vince Papale, the Interboro High product who made the Eagles as a longshot special teams player, then was the subject of the movie Invincible. Papale accommodated invited guests Wednesday. … Eagles offensive linemen are getting “punished” for committing such pre-snap penalties as false starts. Lane Johnson intimated it’s helped limit the errors. The punishment? “You can’t eat any dinner or any lunch,” Johnson said.