Sanders looks sharp, but in ideal conditions
PHILADELPHIA >> One jump-cut and sprint to the end zone in an intrasquad practice has Eagles rookie Miles Sanders earmarked for the Hall of Fame.
Electrifying as the move was in the public practice Sunday, the reality is Sanders beat Sydney Jones and Rodney McLeod to the pylon, not Josh Norman and Landon Collins of the Redskins, who the Eagles oppose in the season opener next month.
Additionally, McLeod had the angle on Sanders and could have sent him into the seats had he not pulled up. By the way, McLeod won’t feel like he’s all the way back from knee surgery until he sheds that 100-pound knee brace.
Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh tried to add perspective to the skills set Sanders brought here from Penn State.
“That was a very good cut, the play you’re talking about,” Groh said Monday. “It was an excellent cut. It was one of those runs where you’re standing back there and you kind of look at each other and go, ‘That’s a heck of a run.’ We’re pleased with where he’s at and obviously we know we have another month to go to get him ready for Washington.”
Truth be told, Sanders looked like LeSean McCoy exploding into a jump cut. If the Eagles thought Sanders could do that consistently, much less catch the ball out of the backfield efficiently, 36-year-old veteran Darren Sproles wouldn’t be on the roster.
All that said, if Sanders continues his evolution, veteran running back Corey Clement is looking at a reduced role, or potentially a trade. The depth chart is full of backs including veteran Jordan Howard, the de facto starter. It will be interesting to see if Howard’s improvement in the receiving department shows up in the preseason opener Tuesday against the Titans.
“He’s done a really nice job catching the ball and in protection,” Groh said. “He’s been all over his protections, done a really good job of that, allowing our quarterbacks to be able to step up in the pocket and make the throws down the field. And when we throw it to him, we think he’s done a nice job of catching it.”
••• It’s still not clear whether or how much Carson Wentz plays in the preseason opener Thursday. Groh said the Eagles were figuring out playing time.
The Eagles’ brain trust also must decide how much the other veterans play, including among others, 37-year-old offensive tackle Jason Peters, 32-year-old receiver DeSean Jackson and 31-yearold center Jason Kelce.
It’s probably not a good idea to play Wentz without the top O-linemen.
••• The Eagles have a lengthy practice scheduled for Tuesday, followed by a walkthrough Wednesday.