Grotz: Why Daeshon Hall is killing it with the Eagles
Grotz: Birds QB needs to play Thursday vs. Ravens, but get ready for lots of McCown >>
PHILADELPHIA >> The pass rush prospect who didn’t roll off the tongues of Eagles coaches and player personnel types entering training camp is used to being overlooked.
At Texas A&M, Daeshon Hall played in the shadow of Myles Garrett, the first overall pick in the 2017 draft. Garrett (6-4, 272) is tearing it up with the Cleveland Browns, having recorded 20.5 sacks in two seasons. He’s coming off a 13.5-sack campaign that earned him a Pro Bowl berth.
Hall is killing it in preseason for the Eagles. Although it’s not the real thing, it’s a giant step forward for the guy who throughout the offseason listened to coaches answer questions about Birds defensive ends Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat and the injured Joe Ostman. Michael Bennett and Chris Long, who no longer are with the Eagles, registered more mentions than Hall (6-5, 265), who added roughly 30 pounds without sacrificing the quick first step that enables him to get after quarterbacks.
It’s safe to say that the light has gone on for Hall, who has 3 sacks, one forced fumble, six quarterback hurries and four tackles for loss in two preseason games.
“This isn’t a shock,” Hall said. “I knew I had it, but everybody goes through a different journey. My journey
was just a little slower. It’s picking up now, I feel good about it, and thank God it’s picking up. I’m just trying to be the best version of me. I have great vets … showing me little tips I can improve in my game and I try to take it to the practice field and bring it to the game field, too.”
Hall could get a chance to start as the bookend to Graham, one of those veterans who helped him, when the Eagles oppose the Baltimore Ravens Thursday
(7:30 p.m., NBC10, WIP
94.1-FM) at Lincoln Financial Field.
While it’s not known how long (if at all) the Eagles’ starters, including quarterback Carson Wentz, will play, it’s an excellent opportunity for players like Hall to mix in with them in the first three quarters.
The Eagles brain trust will be doing cartwheels if Hall and youngsters Shareef Miller and Kasim Edebali show up Thursday. Newly acquired veteran Eli Harold needs to help himself as well. Sweat (knee) is unlikely to play. ending his brief retirement. The
40-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal after the Eagles lost backup Nate Sudfeld and No. 3 QB Cody Kessler in the first two preseason games. Rookie Clayton Thorson should get most of the snaps while Carson Wentz and the rest of the starters continue to watch from the sideline as they wait until Week
1 to play in a game. The Eagles and Ravens scrimmaged for two days, so they’ll be quite familiar with each other when they take the field.
“I bounced around last year,” said Hall, originally a 2017 third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers. “I’m more comfortable in the scheme and I worked hard in the offseason to try to be the player I am now, so I’m just trying to work hard. I’m just worried about tomorrow. We play against the Ravens again, so I just try to put my best stuff on tape. Our D-line is one of the hardest working groups out here. Coach Phil (Daniels) gets us prepared from the veterans to the rookies. We put our best stuff on film and work hard.”
The work is paying off. Football is fun again for Hall. In some ways it’s like the time he spent with Garrett getting after quarterbacks for the Aggies.
“I’m having a blast,” Hall said. “It’s always fun when you’re making little plays. My main focus is to try to be consistent and put my best foot forward.”
•••
The Eagles announced Wednesday that tight end Richard Rodgers is out multiple weeks with a foot injury that he aggravated on the first day of joint practices with the Ravens.
With Dallas Goedert (calf) already idle, that leaves Josh Perkins and Will Tye as next tight ends up.
Tye caught three passes for 34 yards, including a 25-yarder, last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Perkins has two receptions for 18 yards in the preseason.
“Josh has done a really good job,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “He’s come in there and we’ve asked him to do different things as far as even in the run game with blocking, and he’s a talented route runner. He has good speed, good agility. And he’s obviously a special teams player, so he’s right in the mix. This will be a good opportunity for him obviously now again, moving forward these next couple weeks of camp and just look forward to him playing in these next few games.”
••• Wide receiver Mack Hollins caught a five-yard pass and, more importantly, showed up on special teams last week in the Eagles’ preseason victory over Jacksonville.
The Eagles missed Hollins, who was injured, on special teams last year. With linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill rehabbing from an MCL sprain, they need experienced help there this year.
“Obviously special teams was my thing in college, and it transfers over to the NFL,” Hollins said. “I know the value of it, the field position that can happen from it and the points you can score for it. I know that that’s a big deciding factor for guys that are your four, fifth and sixth receivers on the team. Whatever I can do for this team to help is what I’m going to do.”
••• Tickets are available for the Eagles’ Sept. 21st “Fantennial Festival” celebrating the NFL’s 100th season.
The cost is $15. Go to w w w.philadelphiaeagles. com/festival.
The Saturday event has been dubbed ‘Birds, Bites and Beer’ at Cherry Street Pier. It rolls from 4 to 7 p.m. and includes appearances by Eagles legends, cheerleaders, the Eagles’ Pep Band, Drumline and SWOOP.
Also, a life-sized Brian Dawkins bobblehead is available.
Each ticket warrants a commemorative Eagles cup and one free drink.