Noteworthy nuggets from Eagles assistant coaches on DeSean Jackson, Miles Sanders, Jason Peters, and many others

The Philadelphia Eagles occasionally make their assistant coaches available to the media and Monday morning marked one of those times. Here are some noteworthy nuggets from today’s session.

DESEAN JACKSON’S IMPACT

The Eagles really talked up Jackson’s maturity upon bringing him back to Philly. The veteran wide receiver has delivered on that billing. Jackson, who hasn’t always made a habit of attending voluntary workouts, only missed one OTA practice this spring (the final one). He looked great on the practice field. Setting a good example for the young players.

WHO’S THE PUNT RETURNER?

Don’t ask Duce Staley.

Let’s try Dave Fipp instead.

Of the guys Fipp mentioned, Jackson is really the only 100% lock to make the team. It’s hard to envision the 32-year-old returning a majority of the punts in addition to having a big role on offense. Jackson’s only returned eight punts since the start of the 2014 season.

The feeling here is that the Eagles will pick their spots with Jackson as the punt returner. So, whenever they feel they could use a spark on special teams. The Eagles could then have another punt returner who handles less pressing situations. It remains to be seen who that guy will be, though.

MILES SANDERS’ OUTLOOK

During the latest Birds With Friends episode, The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia relayed that Staley said ‘Miles Sanders is going to be special.’ The Eagles are high on their rookie running back despite the fact he’s missed the entirety of OTAs with a hamstring injury.

Even with Sanders in the fold, though, the Eagles aren’t about to suddenly abandon their running back rotation. Sanders and Jordan Howard figure to split a bulk of the carries.

Speaking of Howard, there’s been some talk about his ability as a pass catcher. I think that’s being a little overblown. I hardly think Howard is incapable of catching the ball; I’ve seen him do that well enough in practice. But it’s not like he’s lining up out wide and making plays down the field like an Alvin Kamara. Howard’s a guy who’s averaged 1.5 receptions per game over his career. I’d be surprised if that’s drastically different in Philly.

JASON PETERS BOUNCE BACK?

There’s rightfully a lot of focus on 2019 being Carson Wentz’s second year removed from ACL/LCL surgery. But let’s not forget about the team’s starting left tackle, who originally injured his ACL in October 2017.

Here’s what offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland had to say in this regard:

“I’ll be honest. Have you ever had an ACL [surgery]? It takes a minute to come back from that. It takes a minute. A lot of people would say a year. Not only just physically but mentally. So, I really do believe — I’ve always felt this way — that he’s going to be a better, more productive player than last year. I really do believe that.

A healthier Peters bodes well for the Eagles’ offensive line — and thus the offense as a whole. Then again, Peters also turned 37 earlier this year so we’ll see how age factors in.

Personally, I’m not one to bet against JP. The guy is a freak. I think he has some quality football left in him before ceding the left tackle spot to Andre Dillard in 2020 and beyond.

DALLAS GOEDERT HYPE

No surprise here but the Eagles are bullish on their second-year tight end. Goedert’s looked great in spring practices. Philadelphia’s coaching staff MUST get him more involved in the offense this year. It would be malpractice to not get Goederet more looks.

WILL DARREN SPROLES RETURN?

Speaking recently on the Pro Football Doc Podcast, Sproles said: “If the right team calls, then I go back.”

As I’ve said before, I believe the coaching staff when they say they’d love to have Sproles on the team. I’m just not so sure the front office thinks it’s a great idea.

I think the Eagles should try to measure the progress of the guys fighting for the fourth running back spot (Wendell Smallwood, Boston Scott, Josh Adams, Donnel Pumphrey) before determining whether re-signing Sproles is needed.

BRANDON BROOKS IS AWESOME

Just wanted to share this. Nice to see Brooks is handling a tough situation well.

ANDREW SENDEJO COMP PICK WATCH

Kapadia noted that Eagles defensive backs coach Cory Undlin said of Sendejo: ‘loves ball, our kinda guy.’ The veteran safety HAS been taking first team reps in spring practices with both Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod missing time.

Sendejo appears to be the favorite for the third safety job — Corey Graham’s old role. But keeping Sendejo on the 53-man roster past Week 10 this year means the Eagles will lose the 2020 fourth-round compensatory pick they’re currently set to receive for losing Jordan Hicks.

Is Sendejo really so good that he’s worth losing that pick? That’s the decision the Eagles will have to make at some point.

NATHAN GERRY KNOWS MORE THAN HIS COACH

Gerry has been taking first team linebacker reps alongside Kamu Grugier-Hill. Of course, Nigel Bradham has been missing practice while he recovers from a thumb injury. Zach Brown also missed some practices, although Gerry was still running with the starters when Brown returned.

The Athletic’s Bo Wulf noted that Eagles linebacker coach Ken Flajole was really talking up Gerry. Flajole even said something along the lines of: ‘It feels like [Gerry] knows more than I do.”

Maybe it means nothing but I don’t think I’d count on Gerry getting cut this summer.

ALEX SINGLETON ... WHO?

Here’s a deep cut for you. Earlier this offseason, the Eagles signed former CFL tackling machine Alex Singleton to a futures contract. I haven’t noticed him a ton (good or bad) in OTAs but apparently this isn’t his time to thrive.

Kapadia noted that Fipp also mentioned Singleton — unprompted. Could be a good sign for the CFL long shot. Maybe he sticks on the practice squad.