Eagles Practice Observations: Brooks back up for Wiz; Givens getting deep; Edge rushing technique

The Eagles held their twelfth practice of training camp on Saturday. Here's what I saw:

-- The team was back in shells and shorts for a 10-10-10 practice. (Here's an explainer on 10-10-10s.) It was a light session without much competition. After three days of full pads and hitting the players probably needed a break. They'll be back in pads for the next two days before having Tuesday off. The first preseason game is Thursday against the Bucs. The mellow practice also meant no injuries, but the Eagles were without a number of significant players. Safety Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), tackle Jason Peters (quadriceps), receiver Jordan Matthews (knee), running back Wendell Smallwood (quadriceps), defensive end Marcus Smith (concussion) and safety Rodney McLeod (funeral) were absent. Cornerback Nolan Carroll (ankle) returned. Zach Ertz and Ryan Mathews left practice early on Friday, but both were back on the field and finished.

-- Mathews, who missed the first week of camp with an ankle sprain, was a full participant. He took a number of repetitions with the first team offense. He looked healthy and nimble. It'll be interesting the see if the Eagles ever let him partake in "live" hitting drills before the end of camp. They could possibly hold him out of the first preseason game even if he's 100 percent cleared. Brandon Brooks, who also missed the first week of camp, was back with the first team offense at right guard. Stefen Wisniewski dropped down to the second team as a result. He's still at right guard, although if he's to compete for a starting spot, it'll be at left guard with Allen Barbre and rookie Isaac Seumalo (who's with the second team). With Peters out, Matt Tobin was once again at first team left tackle.

-- The practice was designed to benefit either the offense or defense, depending upon the timing, so not much should be made of either side's performance. But there were some nice deep tosses by the quarterbacks. Sam Bradford lofted a beauty to receiver Chris Givens that he took to the house. Chase Daniel connected with receiver Cayleb Jones in the end zone, but he missed a wide-open Givens, who ran a deep post, a few plays later. The Eagles are hoping Givens can be the deep ball threat they lacked last season. Tight end Trey Burton, once again, had the catch of the day when he dove for a Daniel fade in the end zone.

-- Jim Schwartz isn't a dogmatic defensive coordinator. He's willing to give his players some leeway. For example, several of the defensive ends have occasionally been rushing from a standup position. Connor Barwin, Steven Means and rookie Alex McCalister have been the primary stand-up guys. Barwin and Means were, of course, brought to the Eagles as 3-4 outside linebackers. Barwin is versatile and can rush just as effectively from a three- or four-point stance. But he might have more comfort with standing up. Most defensive ends like to get in a crouch like sprinters so they can explode off the line. Former Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn liked his wide-nine ends to get off from a four-point. Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham and Smith have been mostly rushing from a three-point stance.

-- Chip Kelly wasn't much of a trick play coach. There was the "Swinging Gate" two-point play that failed and a few woeful plays that involved Brad Smith that weren't quite what you'd call trick plays. Andy Reid loved to have a trick play or two in his game plan. Doug Pederson has worked on several since the spring, although who knows if they'll ever see the light of day. One worked to perfection today – although it was set up to succeed. Daniel handed off to running back Kenjon Barner, who flipped to the end-around-faking Rueben Randle, who threw back to Daniel, who was running a sideline route the other way. Touchdown. Golf clap.

-- And a few notes … The Eagles practiced punt returns with Darren Sproles, Barner, Nelson Agholor, Leodis McKelvin, Randle and Byron Marshall taking turns fielding Donnie Jones kicks. Sproles is likely to have that job again. … A 5-foot tall security guard took a blow from Josh Huff after an overthrow in the corner of the end zone. She couldn't get out of the way fast enough and was driven about five yards back. It looked brutal. But she popped right back up. Paging, Howie Roseman …