There isn’t much of note that can be gauged from a training camp practice in July. The Philadelphia Eagles are in shorts. No one is wearing any pads. Contact is impermissible.
That reminds us of something Nakobe Dean said last summer. “These T-shirts and shorts are cute, but we play football in pads”.
We are joking about some issues here. It is completely understandable why the NFL has its rules regarding these matters. Nothing is more important than player safety, nor should it be. However, this makes it more challenging to assess what we are witnessing.
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We were informed by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio that Jihaad Campbell wouldn’t practice until August. What should we gather from him being on the field for Philadelphia’s first training camp practice? Can we collect any information if there are no pads and no contact?
Then, there’s the offensive line. Brett Toth is one of the players here who has been under Jeff Stoutland for the longest time, but he can’t snap the football. Don’t look now, but rookie fifth-rounder Drew Kendall is already taking snaps with the second team offense.
It was only one practice. There’s still so much to iron out, but that is worth noting. He lined up alongside Kendall Lamm, Matt Pryor, and Darian Kinnard. Toth lined up as the left guard with that same unit.
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We shouldn’t be surprised. He’s the only other center listed on the Eagles‘ preseason depth chart, alongside Pro Bowler Cam Jurgens. We’ll have to see if he makes any significant contributions. This situation could mean anything—it may not matter at all, or it could have implications. One thing is for sure: it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles quietly reshuffle the line on first day of training camp