Former Birds enjoy return to Philly
PHILADELPHIA » The quarterback play during the Eagles’ joint practice Monday with the New England Patriots was nothing to write home about.
Except for a few instances, it was ordinary enough to make your eyes roll as the players transitioned between 1-on-1, 7-on7, and 11-on-11 drills.
Case in point, the twominute drill capping the Patriots’ work on offense. Veteran Cam Newton inexplicably threw the ball directly into the arms of Eagles linebacker Eric Wilson in the end zone.
Birds quarterback Jalen Hurts didn’t hold on to the ball nearly as long as Newton, his first-team counterpart, but failed to deliver it perfectly to Zach Ertz and Kenneth Gainwell, who wound up deflecting the throws for interceptions. Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon took the first one to the house, doing a somersault in the end zone.
Hurts floated a couple of textbook throws to Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor to highlight his day, the latter hanging on despite a juggling act. But Hurts and Reagor couldn’t finish the Eagles’ two-minute drill, Reagor unable to stay inbounds or complete a catch near the end zone.
Then again, it was practice.
“It felt good,” Hurts said. “It got the competitive juices flowing. Everybody’s out there competing and playing fast. A lot of good things out there today. … We just wanted to execute, and I think it was good.”
The two-minute drills for the second team offenses were more precise as Eagles backup quarterback Joe Flacco threaded the ball over tight coverage and into the arms of Andre Patten in the end zone, who held on despite a crushing hit. The play was a perfect example of throwing a receiver open, a skillset in short supply on this day.
Additionally, Mac Jones, the Patriots’ first-round draft pick, got the ball to wide receiver N’Keal Harry for a score. Jones was up and down just like Hurts in the practice. Jones had an excuse, though, as he was trying out a knee brace on his left knee.
“I just wanted to try it out for protective reasons,” Jones said. “It feels pretty good. I’m getting a different one tomorrow. I’m just trying some different things. That’s your lead leg when you plant, so you just want to keep it safe.”
For the most part, Hurts enjoyed himself. He finally met Newton in person, got together with Jones, Landon Dickerson and DeVonta Smith for an Alabama reunion photo and had a moment with Bill Belichick, head coach of the Patriots.
“I got to ask him what is up, that’s all,” Hurts said of the meet and greet.
The second practice is Tuesday. Gauging by Belichick’s body language, the Patriots might want to make a few more plays.
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Smith still is nursing a knee sprain sustained the first week of training camp. It kept him out of most of the practice.
The Eagles got a scare when Darius Slay helicoptered through the air after getting caught in a jam of players. He exited on his own.
Patriots tight end Matt Lacosse (6-6, 255) exited after a big hit by Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett, who dropped into coverage.
Elsewhere on the injury list, Eagles veteran running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) and defensive end Joe Ostman (concussion) are out indefinitely.
Safety K’Von Wallace (groin) got back on the field for the Birds along with receiver John Hightower (groin), albeit in a limited capacity.
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Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (shoulder) made the trip, although he didn’t participate in the team drills.
With Jonnu Smith nursing an ankle injury, you have to wonder if the Patriots’ plan to revive the two tight end formations might lead them to inquiring about Ertz.
The Eagles have been unable to find what they felt would be a fair deal for Ertz. They Patriots have an unhappy receiver in Harry, who has asked to be traded.
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NOTES » The practice lasted two hours, easily the longest for the Eagles during the short Nick Sirianni era. His practices have been in the 75 to 90-minute range. … The Patriots were into their fourth set of installs while the Eagles still were stretching Monday. It didn’t seem to make much of a difference, as the Eagles (4-111) and Patriots (7-9) practiced like teams coming off challenging seasons. … Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox basically was unblockable, as he deflected one of Newton’s first passes and later pulled up instead of finishing a sack. … Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton hit the ground on the sideline to do pushups immediately after letting an interception fly through his hands.