5 Eagles training camp battles
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
5 Eagles training camp battles
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
With the Eagles having closed up shop at the NovaCare Complex for the spring, here is an early look at the five training camp battles I’m going to be most interested in following. Training camp opens July 22 at Lehigh.
1. Mike Kafka vs. Trent Edwards vs. rookie Nick Foles for the backup quarterback job. If Mike Vick stays healthy and plays well, the name of the Eagles’ No. 2 QB will be irrelevant. If he doesn’t, it could be the biggest topic of the season.
2. Joselio Hanson vs. rookie Brandon Boykin for the nickel cornerback job. Hanson has been one of the league’s better slot corners. But he’s 31 and will be seriously challenged by the rookie up at Lehigh.
3. Kurt Coleman vs. Jaiquawn Jarrett for the starting strong safety job. If Jarrett can’t beat out Coleman, you can officially call the 2011 second-rounder a bust.
4. Riley Cooper vs. Marvin McNutt for the No. 4 wide receiver job. Cooper, who had 16 receptions last year, is the Eagles’ best blocking wideout, which counts for a lot with Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg. But McNutt was impressive in spring camps, catching everything thrown in his direction.
5. Bryce Brown vs. Chris Polk for the No. 3 running back job. Getting Brown in the seventh round and Polk as an undrafted free agent were two real nice pickups. I’m assuming that Dion Lewis will open the season as LeSean McCoy’s primary backup. But if one or both of these kids have a strong camp and preseason, who knows?
If Jarrett is a bust, I'd be curious to know what this kid from Syracuse looks like. Just because he wasn't drafted doesn't mean he isn't any good. He may not be the hitter that Coleman is, but, it goes without saying that he's probably faster than Jarrett. If he has a nose for the ball, and can tackle, I say give him a shot.— gnarlyscuzz- We should all be pretty nervous with Kafka as a backup. Reid obviously doesn't think he's a starter which is why they drafted Foles. We have no viable backup QB.— ej610
- YOU CANT REALLY "hit" anymore in the NFL anway so....Coleman missed a ton of tackles last year but was at least average. I mean with those corners the safety position should be easier especially if they gonna play press all the time
— Lambo1 - this plays to the Eagles strength. none of their defensive backs can hit either. they are perfect for the new NFL. — coloradoeagle
- It's hard to believe Dion Lewis will ever be a good blocker being so small. And the fact that he was terrible returning kicks makes you wonder how good a runner he actually can be in the NFL.— ej610
- As far as Cooper gettin "outjumped" for a ball....if you watch they play the call was slightly underthrown and he didnt even make a play on it which is his fault for not adjusting to the ball in the air. but he did have a step on williams and vick underthrew it.— Lambo1
- "ball" *— Lambo1
- I watched Boykin in college and this guy is a beast! Hanson will be benched or traded before the season starts. You gotta go with Edwards as the backup because he is the only one with experience and that was in Buffalo, where he was always running for his life. Imagine how good he will be in back of the birds O Line...— slikmo
- McNutt was the steal of the draft, mark it down...he is Mario Manningham x 3!— BirdinParadise
- Jaiquawn Jarrett is not a bust if he doesn't start. The Eagles reached badly. Probably could have had him in round 4 or 5. Coleman not going in round 4 or 5 was the mistake of NFL teams.
Bryce Brown is the intriguing guy in August. Could fade away just like he did in college, but looks the part of an NFL starter.— armchairGM - I think McNutt will be better than Manningham. Though I'm not high on Manningham.— armchairGM
- I just hope Castillo's developement is as successful as some of these young players!— andyd
- he has spent 25 hours a day for the past 12 months reading NFL Defenses for Dummies. I think he is ready... — coloradoeagle
Some of these posts are so negative and out of touch with reality it makes me wonder if we are living on the same planet. Domo, your missing major pieces here. If Vick goes down the season is over, the number 2 won't matter because none of them can or will win a super bowl. The biggest competition on the team is going to be a linebacker and defensive tackle for the starting positions and you don't even mention it. You people seriously under rate Coleman, Jarett may not be all that bad, did it occur to you they are just really happy with Coleman for the most part because he's played well. The few games he didn't he got benched. Hanson WILL be the starting Nickel, Boykin doesn't have the technique to trust he will be effective early this season, he has camp to prove otherwise. Cooper, another guy you seriously under rate. He's the 4th receiver on the team with the best WR's in the NFC. How much of a chance did he have to prove himself? Oh he stinks, he is white and he didn't adjust to one under thrown ball. Get rid of him. You people make me want to puke.- BTW - McNutt, has practice squad written all over him...
