Deshaun Watson threw three interceptions in two practice days against the Philadelphia Eagles.
All three of the picks from the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback were to safety Reed Blankenship. Eagles fans on social media have taken to calling him Ed Reed Blankenship in deference to Hall of Fame safety and Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed.
That’s a little much at this stage, but it’s hard not to be encouraged about what Blankenship has done this summer. He always seems to be around the football, and when you intercept the great Aaron Rodgers in your first meaningful defensive action in the NFL, the way Blankenship did last November, that only heightens the excitement.
“Right now, he got the most picks during camp right now, and I’m kind of jealous because I’m trying to win,” joked Eagles veteran cornerback Darius Slay. “But I don’t really get too much action like that, but dang, I’m jealous because I want to win, but happy for him.
“…He makes a lot of plays. He’s been smart. As you can see, he was growing into it last year, playing at a high level, filling in for Chauncey (Gardner-Johnson), and still rotating a little bit. And learning from (Marcus) Epps last year and all that and carrying it over into this year. He’s been doing a great job, communicating, leading the way.”
Slay went on to talk about how Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen refers to white players as 'Milk Check.'
The cornerback said Blankenship, "Ain't no Milk Check. He's good milk. He doesn't spoil."
Blankenship was an undrafted free agent last year after being the rare five-year, college starter, playing at Middle Tennessee State.
“What makes Reed special is his passion for the game,” said rookie Sydney Brown. “I think that’s what makes him so special. He puts in time on and off the field to better his craft. That’s why he’s a special player.
“Then again, his intensity every single day. He brings it. He wants to practice. He wants to play hard. Looking at what he’s done in such a short period of time is encouraging for sure. Reed is who he is because of what he does. He’s a product of the work he puts in.”
With K’Von Wallace in the final year of his rookie contract, and Terrell Edmunds and Justin Evans signed to only one-year, free-agent contracts, Brown and Blankenship could be a mainstay as the Eagles’ starting safeties for years to come.
“Reed has done a tremendous job,” said Wallace. “He’s done nothing but prove that he belongs. I’m definitely excited to see what he does this season. We all are.”
Blankenship is entrenched as the starter, Brown still has work to do, but he seems to be developing quickly. Wallace has also had a solid camp and could be playing his way into another contract in Philly.
“Obviously, they're battling there at safety,” said head coach Nick Sirianni. “...We lost a couple of really good players. Obviously wish them the best, but lost a couple really good players and replaced them with some really good players.
"So that's just competition. I'm looking forward to how that continues to play out at that position, at safety.”
Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.
Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.
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