Observations From Phase 2 of Eagles OTAs

The Eagles were back at practice to start their second round of OTAs Tuesday. 

Now, it's still not really football with pads until training camp, but there's plenty to watch during OTAs, the first time we see some semblance of competition. 

And unlike last Tuesday, today, they were able to be outside instead of in the practice bubble. 

Here are my 10 observations: 

1. Carson Wentz is still not a full participant as he recovers from the ACL tear, but he did more today than he did last week, although perhaps it was just because of the practice outside. Today, he was involved in his first drills that involved competition. He was the quarterback for some 2-on-2s with two DBs and LBs vs. wideouts and running backs. And Wentz looked good. 

It's impressive how much zip he still has on his balls even without that plant leg completely healed. He also showed off some of his touch.

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2. Aside from a little false start problem, rookie tight end Dallas Goedert had a pretty good day. He was a nice, big target for Nate Sudfeld during the 11-on-11s and ate up Jeremy Reaves in the 1-on-1s. He still has a long way to go, but Goedert should be able to make an impact this season. 

3. New wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer is fun to watch. He's extremely animated and very hands-on like Mike Groh (now OC) was. That'll probably make Groh's transition to offensive coordinator a little easier, knowing his wideouts are in good hands. 

4. Speaking of wideouts, Shelton Gibson, who looked good last week during the open practice, had an up-and-down day today. He dropped a ball early, but then recovered nicely to make a few good grabs later in the session. Really, consistency is going to be key for him. If he ever become a player in this league, he's probably going to drop passes here and there. He just has to to limit them.

5. With De'Vante Bausby playing the nickel corner with the first team Tuesday, Sidney Jones was demoted to the second team. Don't read too much into it; Jim Schwartz said they're going to move guys around and cross-train at that position. Bausby had a really good day, but it's still hard to see him keeping Jones off the field. Down with the twos, Jones showed off his coverage skills outside. Although he was mad at himself for letting a pick bounce off his hands, he still looked great. 

And some might be thinking he's not a slot corner, but seeing him run full speed, the thing that's stood out to me is his quickness. I think he is talented enough to play either spot. 

6. The Eagles have been playing rookie draft pick Matt Pryor at tackle and guard so far this spring. He was second-team right guard and third-team right tackle today. He played both spots in college, so the Eagles will have to figure out where he fits in the NFL. Based on what I've seen of him at TCU, he's probably a more natural guard, but he is 6-foot-8, so it makes sense why the Eagles might want him as a tackle. Either way, they really like versatility any way they can get it. 

7. Billy Brown is talented, but might be slightly overhyped. It's hard to judge because reporters don't get to see every practice, but he's been a little underwhelming. He showed off great hands last summer in training camp, but they haven't shown up so far in the two practices we've seen. 

8. Mike Wallace is going to be a significant upgrade over Torrey Smith. That's not a knock on Smith, but Wallace is just a better player. He's known as a deep threat, but he's more than that as he's shown already since arriving. He better get used to how Doug Pederson uses his receivers. They even lined him up in the slot some today. The Eagles like to be able to do that. They do it with all their skill players. 

9. Michael Bennett and Darren Sproles are still missing from OTAs, which are voluntary. Alshon Jeffery still can't practice but he was on the field watching today. Undrafted rookie running back Josh Adams wasn't practicing; he presumably has an injury. 

Jason Peters and Jordan Hicks were participating in a limited fashion. With Peters out, Halapoulivaati Vaitai took first-team reps at left tackle. With Hicks out, and with Mychal Kendricks gone, Nigel Bradham, Nate Gerry and Kamu Grugier-Hill worked with the first team. 

10. A forgotten name: Aziz Shittu had a good and disruptive practice. Keep an eye on him because the Eagles are hurting some for DT depth with Tim Jernigan's injury. Destiny Vaeao worked with the first team, followed by Qualls and Shittu. I liked him coming out of college a couple years ago, but he fell behind Vaeao and never caught up. There's a reason he's still around. 

Stupid Observation of the Day: Poor Aaron Evans. The rookie offensive lineman from Central Florida was given the No. 63 and he looks a lot like a guy who used to wear it: Danny Watkins. I had a flashback today.

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