The Eagles conducted their 10th practice Thursday, a two-hour session in pads. They’ll probably be in shorts and shells for Friday’s shorter session.
Here are my observations:
1. For the second straight day, Mark Sanchez pilfered some first-team reps from Sam Bradford. It’s possible the coaches are preparing Sanchez to start Sunday against the Colts but still making sure Bradford gets most of the first-team reps at practice. Or it could just be that they’re trying to get Sanchez more first-team reps after Bradford had started to take handle of the job. Friday is the last practice before the game. Chip Kelly should enlighten us on his plans for starters against the Colts.
2. News alert! News alert! Bradford showcased his functional knees by tucking the ball and taking off during an 11-on-11. He survived — looked fairly nimble, actually — and the Earth maintained its spin on an axis. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program ...
3. Malcolm Jenkins pulled a lawn chair onto the sideline during practice and handed it to DeMarco Murray, who was standing around with other injured players — although Murray insists he’s not injured. “We got guys that, for whatever reason, take a little day off," Jenkins said. "So I just want to make sure they had a nice little seat, a place in the shade, while we’re working out here.” Well played, sir.
4. Byron Maxwell lined up at left cornerback for the second straight day. He usually practices at right cornerback. The coaches like to “cross train” and have all players practice at as many positions as possible, but they also plan to use Maxwell in more varieties. Last year, they kept Cary Williams on the right side and Bradley Fletcher on the left (despite Williams’ repeated lobbying to stick the No. 1 wideout regardless of side). Defensive coordinator Bill Davis repeated Thursday that he’s not averse to matching up Maxwell against the opponent’s top receiver, including the slot.
5. Vinny Curry logged extensive snaps in the nickel at standup rush linebacker, lining up across left tackle in the “Predator” position. In one drill, Curry shed an offensive lineman and wrapped up running back Raheem Mostert with his long arms, adding a little thud at the end. Nobody doubts Curry’s ability to rush quarterbacks, but coaches have to be confident that Curry can defend the run from a standup position before they can play him there in a real game. Given the team’s depth issues at outside linebacker, it makes perfect sense to have Curry line up there in some pass-rushing looks.
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6. On Wednesday, Andrew Gardner emerged as the leader in the right guard clubhouse when he ran with the starters for the third time. Gardner took another step forward Thursday, when he remained on the first string. Gardner now has four practices as the starting guard. Matt Tobin, John Moffitt and Julian Vandervelde each have two.
7. Slot update: The coaches spun the carousel, promoting rookie second-rounder Eric Rowe to first team and E.J. Biggers to second team. Jaylen Watkins ran with the threes. Watkins had occupied the first-team spot since Tuesday, two days after JaCorey Shepherd tore his ACL. Rowe had worked on the second team and Biggers on the third. Biggers blanketed Darren Sproles during 7s down the left seam to force Mark Sanchez into an incompletion.
8. Continuing on the topic of slot corners, Jenkins suggested too much is being made of who wins Brandon Boykin’s old spot. The Eagles are more equipped to stay in base against three-wide formations because Jenkins and Walter Thurmond (converted corners, both of them) can play the slot and because Kiko Alonso can cover tight ends. The real competition is to see who becomes the extra D-back and plays either safety or outside when Jenkins or Thurmond (and maybe even Nolan Carroll) move inside. This is why Kelly values hybrid defensive backs who can play both positions.
9. For the second straight day, Nelson Agholor had a bad drop. Bradford found him across the middle in the first set of 7-on-7s but Agholor, who got a step on Maxwell, found his hands empty after the ball went through them. In defense of Agholor, he later came back and extended fully to catch a Bradford toss.
10. With tight end Zach Ertz missing practice, Brent Celek took on a receiving role. Made a nice catch with two guys draped on him after Bradford fired a strike to his chest. Good to see the veteran still making plays downfield.