Early in camp, Wentz already in high gear
They said his injury was too severe. They said he was never going to be in pads in training camp. They said he would be rusty. They said he would be uncomfortable. They said he would limp.
They said all of that about Carson Wentz.
So how about that, Jason Kelce, the librarian of all Eagles criticism?
“He looks great,” the Eagles center said Saturday. “He is running around, throwing on the move, doing all the things he has to do. I don’t know if the coaches are designing it this way, but it doesn’t look like they are holding him back. They are doing plays, moving him, having him test out that leg. “And it’s good.” So it looked as the Eagles, Wentz included, wore pads for the first time in training camp and went through full 11-on-11 drills. The quarterback whose MVP candidacy was ruined in Week 13 last season when he tore his left knee in Los Angeles, participated in every drill, threw with ease and typically connected with his receivers.
As a component of his progres-
sion from injured-reserve back to starting NFL quarterback, the event was significant. As usual, though, even the 11-on-11, fully padded rehearsals are of the non-contact variety. And even if they were not, all NFL quarterbacks wear red in practice, a reminder to defenders not to wander too close.
Nonetheless, Wentz looked crisp. And if he was walking slowly back to the line after each play, well, it was around high noon at the end of July, so he was not alone among the heavy breathers.
Beyond the red shirt, the Eagles threw even more protection around their quarterback, refusing to make him available for interviews, despite the significance of the moment. Those, they said, would be forbidden until Tuesday.
As for the observations, they were in ample supply.
“It doesn’t really surprise me,” said rookie tight end Dallas Goedert, who faced Wentz in college while playing for South Dakota State against North Dakota State. “He is a tough dude. I saw him in college and he tore us up. He wants to play. He loves football. So any time he can be out there, I think he is going to. I think it is really positive that he is out there. But at the same time, they are going to be safe with him and have what is in his best interests in mind.”
Saturday, Wentz was under no more or less protection than any other quarterback, and still had the postpractice energy to make a stop or two the sponsors’ sideline tents.
“I think he did a nice job operating in there,” offensive coordinator Mike Groh said. “He looked comfortable. He settled right back into the saddle. So we’re really pleased with where he is right now.”
Wentz was typically involved with the expected Birds’ first unit, though Nick Foles also did some reps with the starters. Backups Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan received token opportunities.
“It’s good,” Kelce said. “Right now, it’s a very controlled environment. It’s not tackle to the ground. There may be some plays where guys are falling to the ground. They are very few and far between. So right now, not only is it good for us to get some reps with him, to maintain that chemistry, but also it is good for him to go out there and begin that process of feeling more comfortable and feeling stronger on that leg and all that stuff.”
Groh said it would be up to Doug Pederson to decide when Wentz will practice and whether he or Foles would receive the first-team reps.
“Obviously we want everybody out here practicing together and getting the continuity that we need to be as consistent and efficient as we want to be on offense,” Groh said. “So to have everybody out there, to have Carson there is good. In some people’s minds, it’s ahead of schedule. But I know that was his target date. We’re excited to have him out there and working.
“It’s only going to make everybody better.
••• Considering the alternate activities an NFL player might occasionally wander into during an offseason, Goedert’s hobby of choice was tame … if, maybe, a hair risky.
The Birds’ top draft pick at No. 49 overall in the second round, Goedert enjoyed another summer of unicycling near his Britton, South Dakota home.
“I did ride in one parade, just a short, little one,” Goedert said. “It was good. Right now, I just ride a three-foot one. I have ridden a six-foot one, but right now I don’t think that’s the best time for me to be doing that.”
No, of course not. Because if there is one thing NFL teams might not tolerate is one more rookie being injured in a unicycle pile-up.
“It’s pretty safe,” Goedert said. “It’s probably safer than riding a bike, when you think about it. If you fall, you are only falling over one wheel, not two. They haven’t said anything. But I am going to be safe. Because if I got injured, they could just cut me. I have to be smart.”
Goedert was smart Saturday, making every necessary play in his first training camp practice in full football gear.
“Dallas is really smart,” Groh said. “He’s mature. He really doesn’t say boo. He speaks when spoken to. He’s in there taking notes. You saw him show up and make some plays down the field today, which was encouraging.”
••• Haloti Ngata, the fivetime All-Pro defensive tackle, emerged from his first full-pad workout enthused.
At 34 and heading into his 14th NFL season, the offseason free-agent acquisition insists he has not lost his desire.
One reason: He ended last season with an injured biceps after playing just five games with the Lions.
“Like J.P. (Jason Peters) and (Darren) Sproles,” he said, “I just didn’t to end my career being on I.R. I just have that hunger still.”
Ngata should receive plenty of opportunities as Tim Jernigan continues to recover from back surgery.
“We’ll have to see,” Ngata said. “Des (Destiny Vaeao) is doing such a great job right now. I am learning a lot from him being in front of me. We’re going to have a good rotation, so it’s going to be a strong defensive front throughout the whole game.”
••• The Eagles will practice at 9:15 Sunday morning at the NovaCare Complex. Workouts are not open to the general public.
The Birds will be off Monday.