Eagles News: Miles Sanders is “the best running back on the team and it isn’t close”

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...

Eagles training camp practice notes, Day 9: Miles Sanders, RB1 - PhillyVoice
Miles Sanders flashed another sweet jump cut in the red zone, getting around the edge for a score. Later, on a run to the right, he patiently let his blocks develop, and then boom, he accelerated through the hole with impressive speed. And finally, a hole opened up on a play in the middle of the field and he exploded through it to the second level, then juked a safety for added yardage. He’s the best running back on the team. Period. And it isn’t close. Duce Staley needs to get him on the field early and often. Let him eat.

Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Excitement at the Linc with Carson Wentz, DeSean Jackson, and Miles Sanders shining - BGN
Miles Sanders had three good runs that really stood out. The first one was a LeSean McCoy-esque jump cut to bounce to the outside and get in the end zone. Sanders followed that up with a run to the outside where he showed patience to let his blocks develop before exploding forward to the end zone. Sanders broke off a long run that caused many reporters to tweet about how he’s clearly the most talented running back on the team. I don’t disagree with that assessment. Sanders has juice that the Eagles’ other backs just don’t have; he moves so well. It’s just a matter of the rookie proving himself reliable to the coaching staff when it comes to things like pass protection and ball security. Going to be real interesting to see how Sanders fares in the preseason games. It feels like it’s a matter of “when” and not “if” he’ll supplant Jordan Howard.

Miles Sanders opening eyes at Eagles camp: ‘Everything that I worked hard for is paying off’ - ESPN In$ider
“That boy is a beast, man. You’re going to see. Oooh, I like him,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “I don’t want to give out too much. I’m going to let him be a surprise to some.” What his teammates are seeing is a running back with light feet and sudden burst who can change direction in a snap while keeping his shoulders square. It’s a skill set that enticed the Eagles to take him with the No. 53 overall pick this past April -- the first time they selected a back that high since 2009 when they grabbed LeSean McCoy with the very same No. 53 pick. So far, those skills are translating to the next level. ”He’s getting more confident coming off the hamstring there in the spring. Again, he’s just learning how to run our plays. But there have been some plays where you are standing at it from behind, you say, ‘Wow, that was a really good cut right there,’” offensive coordinator Mike Groh said. “Unique skill level in the hole and in a short area and being able to make quick cuts and then get vertical, and he’s made some plays in the passing game down the field.”

At the Podium: Double Doug w/a Splash of Wentz - BGN Radio
THREE fresh press conferences on tap in this episode, featuring a double dose of Doug Pederson from 8/1 and 8/3, followed by Carson Wentz fielding questions from the media on 8/3! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Tough Weekend - Iggles Blitz
I understand Nate Gerry has yet to prove himself on the field, but he’s an ascending player. As a rookie, he played in 10 games, mostly as a STer. Last year Gerry played in 13 games, starting two of them. He was a role player on defense and key STer. That’s the same kind of track KGH was on heading into 2018, when he had his breakout season. This could be Gerry’s breakout season. As for Brown, he’s been disappointing so far but did seem to make a few plays on Saturday. Maybe KGH’s injury will get him to play with more of a sense of urgency. This also is an opportunity for L.J. Fort and T.J. Edwards to get more reps and to try to impress the coaches.

Draft Guide Preview: QB Tiers - Rotoworld
Carson Wentz missed five games last season as he was held out the opening two weeks while he recovered from an ACL injury the prior season and was later shut down for the end of the season due to a back injury. That back injury may be something we see pop up at various times throughout Wentz’s career, but when he is on the field, he’s a strong fantasy option. Active Weeks 3-14, Wentz was the QB13 in overall scoring over that span while finishing as the weekly QB13 or higher in seven of those 11 games. Wentz ranked sixth in the league in completions per game (25.4), third in completion rate (69.6%), eighth in passing yards per game (279.5) and 11th in yards per attempt (7.7). With an improvement to his surrounding skill players and more depth added on the offensive line, Wentz should bounce back to weekly QB1 status in 2019.

Should the Eagles trade for a linebacker? - Inquirer
The Eagles have historically devalued the linebacker position. Many fans don’t like it, but it’s just not one of the more important positions on defense, especially with Schwartz using more nickel and dime personnel. Roseman may just roll with what he has. But if he does make a move, I can’t imagine it will involve parting with a big name. There will be a lot of movement around the league in a month. He could possibly find a linebacker on the waiver wire.

Some big-picture thoughts as Eagles get set for preseason - PE.com
And at middle linebacker is, who? It could be Nathan Gerry, who has taken first-team reps in camp to date. It could be Bradham, as he did in 2017 when Jordan Hicks, now in Arizona, was injured. It could be someone else from a linebacker room that has some uncertainty with the injuries.

Jets Claim S Godwin Igwebuike, Waive CB Jeremy Clark - NewYorkJets.com
The Jets have claimed S Godwin Igwebuike and waived CB Jeremy Clark. Igwebuike was released by the Eagles Saturday after spending the spring with Philadelphia. Originally an undrafted free agent, the Northwestern product played in a combined six games with the Buccaneers and 49ers in 2018. [BLG Note: A sign that the Eagles have a quality roster? Other teams have been quick to claim their castoffs, even if they’re just camp bodies.]

Meet Joey Alfieri: 5 things to know about Giants’ new linebacker - Big Blue View
For those who don’t know, Rule of Tree is the SB Nation web site covering Stanford. Jack Blanchet of Rule of Tree said Alfieri was “a rock solid 3-4 outside linebacker for the Cardinal for the last four years.” Blanchet had this to say about Alfieri’s NFL prospects: “As far as NFL ability goes, he’s a solid athlete but not exactly starter material at this point. He’s a bit better as an edge-setter than pass-rusher, but I imagine he has special teams and backup ability at this point.”

In Remembrance of Don Banks, an NFL Conscience and a True Friend - FMIA
The Eagle fan has landed. From Dan Kyle: “HUGE Eagles fan here. So much so that in May 2017 I went out to Fargo to run the Fargo Marathon decked out in Eagles gear (the race began and ended in the Fargodome). Anyway, I was really not surprised by how well Carson Wentz has always done in school. [I wrote he never got less than an A in all his years of schooling.] When we traded up and it looked like Wentz was our guy, I told every Eagles fan who would allow me to do so about Wentz’s appearance on Jon Gruden’s quarterback show, when he was asked to break down a play on the board. That’s when I knew he was special. I knew if he could physically play in this league, his intelligence would get him to elite status. He broke the play down with such confidence, with no hesitation, keeping his tone conversational the entire time. I never saw any of the other rookies on that show ever break down a play like that.” — Wentz is the kind of humble guy who is embarrassed to talk about that. I learned about it at the combine in 2016 and when I pressed him for details, he was clearly uncomfortable. He’s an easy guy to root for.

Drew Brees, at 40, Is Looking to Get Better - MMQB
To stay as sharp as he has, the Saints QB has learned to seek an edge anywhere he can—in tiny mechanical adjustments, in smart work/life decisions, and in staying purposeful and directed toward the ultimate goal: another Super Bowl title. Plus, Tom Brady’s extension, Patrick Mahomes’s encore, remembering Don Banks, and more from all around the NFL.

Ask a former NFL player: What was your first training camp practice like? - SB Nation
In this week’s mailbag, Geoff Schwartz recalls his first time in pads, reveals which OLs you should worry about, and says Patrick Mahomes is a unicorn.

...

Social Media Information:

BGN Facebook Page: Click here to like our page

BGN Twitter: Follow @BleedingGreen

BGN Manager: Brandon Lee Gowton: Follow @BrandonGowton

BGN Radio Twitter: Follow @BGN_Radio