Eagles Training Camp Notebook: Davion Taylor Flashes, and More

Marcus Epps

The safety takes the field early on Day 9 of training camp

Davion Taylor

The linebacker made plays consistently throughout Day 9 of training camp, including making an interception

Haason Reddick

The pass rusher talked to reporters following Day 9 of training camp

Jordan Mailata

The left tackle was back on the practice field during Day 9 of training camp, but he was still limited as he works his way through concussion protocol

A.J. Brown

The WR holds court prior to practice with fellow WRs Greg Ward (left) and John Hightower, neither of whom practiced on Day 9 of training camp

TEAM DRILLS

The first of four sets had the offense coming off the goal line.

Jalen Hurts targeted A.J. Brown on two of his three throws from there, completing one of them with Brown making a nice catch on an out pattern that brought him to the sideline, and he was able to get both feet in bounds despite going full speed.

The third target went to Dallas Goedert, who made a nice catch near the sideline.

Both throws would have been first downs.

The final set of team drills focused more on the run game.

In between, the first and final sets, the Eagles seemed to dial up a few more plays for Quez Watkins. The WR had to lay out to make one catch then had another over the middle. Both throws were from Hurts.

TAYLOR MADE

Linebacker Davion Taylor stood out on defense pretty consistently.

He had a nice pass breakup against Brown in the first set of team drills, shutting down a quick slant. He also showed his impressive speed running down Jason Huntley at the boundary after the RB had reached the second level of the defense.

Taylor also had an interception off a batted ball from safety K’Von Wallace and, flying in on what looked like a blitz, also blew up a running play in the backfield.

Taylor has been his worst enemy his first two seasons with various injuries, but if he can stay healthy, he should get his share of reps in a crowded and competitive linebacker room.

EYE ON MINSHEW

As Reid Sinnett continues to show positive progress almost daily, Gardner Minshew continues to get second-team reps.

The backup doesn’t seem fazed when he makes a mistake, or maybe the back-to-back picks he threw during a 7-on-7 drill weren’t all his fault.

The first one was a ball batted by Wallace that Taylor snagged, the other was when the ball clanked off Watkins’ hands and right to Josiah Scott.

On his third throw of the series, Minshew threw a nice mid-range completion to Deon Cain, who continues to impress but figures to be caught in a number’s crunch when the roster finally gets whittled to 53 players at the end of the month.

HUNTLEY FLASHES

At Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night, Huntley impressed with a sweep that went for about 60 yards. On Tuesday, he continued to show his speed in team drills. Huntley and Britain Covey were also the two players working on kickoff returns during special team drills.

“I like to tell him fast guys have to play fast and he’s definitely a fast guy and he’s playing that way,” said RB Coach Jemal Singleton. “I think the biggest thing for Jason and I told him this as well, he’s matured a little bit. He’s starting to understand it. Mentally, he’s answering questions that just a year ago, he had no clue about it.”

DEFENSIVE STALWARTS

• James Bradberry made a nice pass breakup on a throw to A.J. Brown near the sideline. Brown appeared to have possession, but on his way down, Bradberry got a hand in and swiped the ball away. Brown yelled an expletive then sad to Bradberry, “nice play, man.”

• Javon Hargrave continues to look good rushing the passer and would have likely had a sack in a real game on one play. To me, he is a candidate for a contract extension before the season begins or shortly after it does.

• Hasson Reddick continues to constantly pressure whatever quarterback is back there.

• Patrick Johnson has quietly had a nice camp, showing quickness that he may not have been able to show last season when he was a rookie and probably doing more thinking than reacting. He would have had a sack if they were allowed on Tuesday.

QUOTE OF DAY

"Lane is the best tackle so far that I have gone against, either side. There are some other good tackles that I haven't gotten a chance to go against yet. Up until this point, I was never able to go up against Lane in a game, but I get to go against him in practice every day and I'm happy for that opportunity to work on my game and go against somebody who truly makes me think." - Haason Reddick on Lane Johnson.