Rookie camp is 1st step in process

After 4-11-1 season, it’s time to get down to business

On Friday, 39-year-old rookie head coach Nick Sirianni, 36-year-old rookie offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and 38-year-old rookie defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will gather a bunch of Philadelphia Eagles rookie players together on the field for the first time as part of a discovery process that promises to be long and exhausting but also exciting at times.

After going 4-11-1 last year, most of the coaching staff was jettisoned along with starting quarterback Carson Wentz after he requested a trade.

Three years and change after walking off the field at U.S. Bank Stadium with the team’s only Lombardi Trophy, the Eagles are starting over in a year when the nation is still reeling a bit from the coronavirus pandemic, leading the NFL Players Association to recommend that its members skip all voluntary offseason workouts, officially called organized team activities, or OTAs.

The union also has urged players not to show for rookie camps, though it doesn’t seem like many rookies have fallen in line.

The Eagles likely will have perfect attendance for this three-day camp, and that could be helpful, especially if the only other time they can get on the field before training camp starts in July is during a three-day mandatory minicamp in June that requires all players to attend.

So much to do, so little union cooperation, so little time. But they nevertheless will begin in earnest to chase their goal of being a better team by the time they depart on Sunday evening than they

were coming in.

Here are the main questions involving so many first-year players playing for so many coaches who are in their positions for the first time in their careers:

Where does Kenny Gainwell fit?

The versatile running back was taken in the fifth round and has some serious receiving skills to go with running ability that helped him average 6.6 yards on 235 attempts in his brief college career at Memphis.

He’s part of a crowded room that also includes Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, Boston Scott and Kerryon Johnson, a talented but oft-injured veteran who was recently claimed off waivers from Detroit.

Will DeVonta Smith make everyone better?

There is little doubt within the organization that this No. 10 draft pick from Alabama has what it takes to be the No. 1 receiver right away, even if he doesn’t always line up as the “X” (split end) on every play. He comes with some built-in rapport with quarterback Jalen Hurts, who used to play for Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma to finish his college career.

What the team really needs here is for Smith to take some pressure off last year’s first-round pick, fellow wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who was supposed to be No. 2 behind DeSean Jackson last year but was deprived of that luxury when Jackson essentially missed an entire second straight season with an injury.

Reagor dealt with two injuries himself that led to 31 catches for 396 yards (12.8 average) in 11 games.

Smith, who played at less than 170 pounds at Alabama, will have to answer questions about his durability at this level as well.

But his ability to grasp the offense, get open against NFL cornerbacks and catch passes is not question.

Who factors into a defensive line in transition?

Whether they play in the defensive tackle rotation this year or not, the plan clearly is in place for third-round pick Milton Williams and sixth-round pick Marlon Tuipulotu to be key cogs eventually. Their selections, along with first-round offensive lineman Landon Dickerson and sixth-round defensive end Tarron Jackson, further illustrate their philosophy of building their roster from the inside out.

“Right or wrong, as long as I’m here, that’s going to be the priority,” general manager Howie Roseman said in the moments following this year’s draft. “And I think the great things about the two guys next to me is that’s what they believe too. And you could say it all you want, but it better show in your actions. If we have an offensive lineman or defensive lineman sticking out on our board and they’re the highest guy, I promise you we’re going to take them. You saw that in the last couple of days.

“I’m sure there’s some people sick and tired of seeing the Philadelphia Eagles take linemen, but that’s how we won a championship and that’s how we’re going to win another championship.” What, only one?

But seriously, if they do get back to the top within the next decade, there’s a decent chance Williams, Tuipulotu, Dickerson and Jackson will have had a lot to do with it.

Can CB Zech McPhearson play?

The fourth-round pick from Texas Tech who started his career at Penn State improved his draft stock dramatically with a good showing at the Hula Bowl.

The Eagles remain in desperate need of cornerbacks, and if McPhearson can step in right away as a starter on the outside opposite Darius Slay, that would be huge for Gannon, who doesn’t have a lot of raw material at linebacker or defensive back.

Where do Jacoby Stevens and Patrick Johnson fit?

Stevens was primarily a safety at LSU but will be converted to linebacker for the Eagles.

Johnson was an edge rusher for Tulane who is listed as a linebacker in the Eagles’ 4-3, in which linebackers typically don’t rush the passer.

Neither one of them seems concerned.

“I played linebacker at LSU as well,” Johnson said. “I mean, it’s just a position title. So if you go back and watch my film at LSU, those are the same things I’m going to try to do here for the Eagles. I’m always going to be a smart player . ... I think my game translates regardless of what position or what level.”

“Coaches definitely want to use me all over the field,” Johnson added. “I’m an athletic guy, so [I’m] just taking advantage of my athletic ability. So [I’m] just trying to figure out exactly what we’re going to be doing here in Philadelphia.”

Pardon Eagles fans if they may not feel the same way about the ability of these players to adjust to different roles right away at the next level.

Do any undrafted rookies have a chance this year?

Sure do, starting with quarterback Jamie Newman, who played for Wake Forest before transferring to Georgia and then opting out of the 2020 season. Newman is one of only three quarterbacks on the roster.

Keep an eye on former Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes too. He’s 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and ran a 4.50 40 at his Pro Day — after nine of his 38 catches as a senior were for touchdowns.