Eagles go live with hitting at practice: Boom!
Eleven offensive players and 11 defensive players faced one another at the goal line during the Eagles' training camp practice on Wednesday, and they all knew what would come next.
Eleven offensive players and 11 defensive players faced one another at the goal line during the Eagles' training camp practice on Wednesday, and they all knew what would come next.
"When Coach says, 'Live,' " defensive lineman Fletcher Cox said, "everybody knows you bring your A game or you get run over."
The defensive players did not let up when meeting the ballcarrier, and the offensive linemen were not taking it easy on the defensive linemen rushing toward them. The sound track at practice went from thuds to booms, with the collisions from tackling echoing throughout the Eagles' practice facility.
The Eagles had live periods in practice, meaning the defensive players could tackle the offensive players to the ground. Doug Pederson promised a physical training camp, and it was apparent in earnest during Wednesday's session. It was the closest practice has looked to a game since Andy Reid last coached the Eagles in 2012.
"It's tackle football and it's a physical game," Pederson said. "It's just knowing that we're actually going to put the pads on and go to the ground today. Because most of our periods are a fast-tempo 'thud' where everybody's kind of staying up. But this is the first time that outside of [cut blocking] our own players, being able to tackle and really drive through guys, I think it's so important to be able to do that and be in the right position and the right place defensively."
Practice intensified during those live periods. Defensive end Connor Barwin said that happens whenever there is tackling. Vinny Curry stuffed the ballcarrier on consecutive plays at the goal line, which revved up his teammates.
The energy during practice was rare for August. Teammates weren't passively watching from the sidelines, but were as engaged as a fan would be in whether the offense would score.
"That's what you love to see," Pederson said. "That's the competition, and that's what makes you better. This is the time of the year where you really get to see who is going to be with you and who you can take to the regular season."
It's a change from training camp the previous three years. Chip Kelly's practices were intense in their own right, but players were not tackled to the ground. There was one day in 2013 when the Eagles had live tackling drills as a response to a poor display in a preseason game. Otherwise, Kelly believed that tackling should be reserved for the four preseason games.
"My last live period in practice was 2012, Lehigh," Cox said. "So it's been a while for me. . . . Everybody was smart about it."
The risk is increased exposure to injuries. There were training camp injuries under Kelly even without tackling - players still tore ACLs and suffered concussions - but the tackling risks the exposure to bad collisions. On one play, tight end Zach Ertz leaped to catch a pass with safety Rodney McLeod waiting for him when he came back to the ground. McLeod went lower than Ertz might have liked, but a hit to the upper body or head could have been worse. Ertz said the players cannot worry about injuries - that should be the coaching staff's concern, he reasoned.
"Listen, I've been around this business a long time to know that this is a contact sport and injuries are part of the game," Pederson said. "I'm not going to shy away from the tackling or shy away from the hitting just to try not to get [anybody hurt]. . . . No, you don't want anybody to get hurt. But at the same time, if we learn how to practice in pads and then take care of each other when we're in those situations, it's just going to make us a better football team down the stretch."
For the defensive players, the live periods can help with tackling technique. As much as tackling can be simulated with drills on wrapping up ballcarriers, nothing takes the place of bringing a player to the ground.
"I'm not bashing anybody," Cox said, "but you don't want that first game to be the first time you hit another person."
The live periods would seem to benefit the defense more than the offense because offensive players are the ones enduring the punishment. But offensive tackle Lane Johnson said "it benefits whoever is going to pop someone in the mouth," and the linemen try to take that approach when live periods are allowed. The skill players can also benefit from trying to fight through tackles.
"I think as an offense, you've got to be ready to be tackled," Ertz said. "It's tough going into the season and expect yards after the catch if you're not used to breaking tackles or fighting for extra yards."
The tackling was symbolic, too. This was Pederson's putting his stamp on the team. The Eagles have 21 players on their roster who have played only for Kelly. They now know the way Pederson wants the Eagles to practice - and play.
"We want to pride ourselves on being a physical football team, whether it's on the offensive or defensive sides of the ball," Ertz said. "Periods like today are only going to set up you for success in those situations."
Injuries
Rookie running back Wendell Smallwood did not practice because of a strained quadriceps. Pederson said Smallwood was "still a few days away" from returning.
The Eagles continue to miss running back Ryan Mathews because of an ankle injury suffered before training camp started, so the team was down to four backs: Darren Sproles, Kenjon Barner, Byron Marshall, and Cedric O'Neal.
Starting right guard Brandon Brooks also remained absent with a hamstring injury.
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