Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: A fight breaks out!

Today marked the fourteenth 2019 Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice. It was a lighter day in terms of being a 10-10-10 session but things got a little chippy out there! Read on to see what I observed. Also check out the latest BGN Radio podcast — [click here] or stream below:

PRACTICE NOTES

• FIGHT! There was a big pile up on the field after an 11-on-11 red zone rep. It was unclear how things got started at first but then it became apparent that Derek Barnett and Andre Dillard were involved after each being pulled aside after the scrum.

It appears the frustration began on a play involving Dillard and Johnathan Cyprien:

Then it was Barnett who later went after the Eagles’ rookie left tackle:

This seems like a case of frustration boiling over on Day 14 of camp. Then again, Barnett has only been doing team drills for a few days now.

It does seem that Dillard has a bit of a nasty streak, which certainly isn’t a bad thing for an offensive lineman. He’s not the kind of blocker who has that kind of reputation given his soft-spoken nature and “finesse” playing style. But this profile on Dillard suggests he can get pretty emotional on the field:

• CARSON WENTZ UPDATE: It’s hard to truly evaluate Wentz’s performance (and other player performances) since it’s a 10-10-10 day and certain plays are geared towards either the offense or the defense succeeding. With that said, Wentz made some nice touch throws. Wentz’s first attempt was a deep connection with Nelson Agholor, who got past Avonte Maddox. Wentz floated a couple passes to Alshon Jeffery and Joshua Perkins for fade receptions. Wentz’s best throw was a 25-yard pass to DeSean Jackson down the right sideline where the ball perfectly split the safety and the cornerback. Good stuff.

• EAGLES INJURY UPDATE: Vinny Curry returned to practice after being sick on Sunday. Jason Kelce got a veteran rest day. Rodney McLeod also got a veteran rest day. McLeod downplayed concern about getting rolled up on in Sunday’s practice and said he’d be back on Tuesday. Paul Worrilow, Boston Scott, and DeAndre Thompkins were all back in 11-on-11 after previously missing time.

• Not unlike Wentz, Cody Kessler floated a couple passes for completions. He also made a nice throw to Charles Johnson, who was contested, on a curl route. Kessler did have a pass broken up by Rasul Douglas and he also threw behind a wide open Carlton Agudosi on a crossing route. Kessler threw a pick on the final play of practice but it was intended for undrafted rookie free agent center Keegan Render, who was lining up at tackle eligible for some reason. (By the way: Render caught a touchdown on another play where the defense didn’t cover him at all. Trickeration!)

• Clayton Thorson actually made an impressive throw on the move to Agudosi in the back left corner of the end zone but the wide receiver couldn’t hang to the bullet fired at him. Thorson had another good ball for a leaping Thompkins in the back middle of the end zone; he put it where only the receiver could make a play. Unfortunately for Thompkins, he couldn’t hang on to the pass.

Thorson almost threw a pick to Ajene Harris on a deep ball but the undrafted rookie dropped it. Would’ve been hell of an over-the-shoulder interception. Thorson had another pass knocked down by Zach Brown. Finally, Thorson got picked off by a sleep-walking Malcolm Jenkins on a goal line pass attempt. Like, it didn’t look like Jenkins was trying super hard and he just easily made the play. Afterwards, I think I saw Maddox saying to Jenkins: “that doesn’t count.” My guess is that the defensive backs are tracking their pass deflections and/or picks and the defense didn’t want such a bad throw to count. Jenkins seemed to disagree.

• You know that tight end the Eagles signed less than two weeks ago? Alex Ellis? He made a couple nice catches in the red zone today, including a diving reception on a Wentz throw.

• L.J. Fort notched a one-handed interception on a Wentz throw meant for Zach Ertz that got tipped up into the air by Tre Sullivan.

• Malcolm Jenkins beat Brandon Graham in a race to touch the ball set up for the start of 11-on-11 goal line drills. It may have been the most tightly contested battle between those two during camp. Graham had a lead at first but Jenkins ultimately pulled ahead.

• New Eagles cornerback Sojourn Shelton is wearing No. 26. (Also worn by Miles Sanders on offense.)

UP NEXT

The Eagles will hold their final practice ahead of their Thursday night preseason game against the Jaguars tomorrow morning starting at 9:15 AM ET. Stay tuned to BGN for more coverage, as always.