Training camp is over, the roster has been reduce to 53 and the common season opener in New England is quickly approaching.

It’s an thrilling time for the Eagles.

Before we get into the primary sport week of the 2023 NFL season, let’s clear out the pocket book with some fascinating nuggets:

Welcome, Albert O

The Eagles made a commerce on cut-down day, buying tight finish Albert Okwuegbunam (Oak-woo-aye-boo-nom) from the Broncos for a 2025 late-round decide swap.

Okwuegbunam mentioned the Broncos have been sincere and clear with him all through the commerce course of. The Broncos advised him they have been shifting on however that there was an opportunity he might be traded earlier than formally being waived. And that’s what occurred.

“It’s a fresh start, you know what I mean?” Okwuegbunam mentioned. “I’m really excited about the opportunity. I’m going to come in here and work my butt off.”

The Broncos drafted Okwuegbunam within the fourth spherical again in 2020 however his profession by no means actually took off. He clearly has freakish bodily traits nevertheless it’s price noting that Broncos new head coach and famous offensive thoughts Sean Payton determined to maneuver on from Albert O. But Okwuegbunam completed off his Broncos profession with a bang.

In the preseason finale — a 41-0 win over the Rams — Okwuegbunam caught 7 passes for 109 yards and a landing.

“Going into that game, it was a really big game for me,” he mentioned. “The position I was in, in Denver, just to prove myself going into that fourth year with them. I went out there, had a big game and I was really proud of myself for that. Ultimately, that led to me being here.”

During his profession, Okwuegbunam has been referred to as a pass-catching tight finish who isn’t going to offer you a lot as a blocker. He understands that label however thinks he has “definitely” improved as a blocker.

And after taking part in precisely zero particular groups snaps in his first three years within the NFL, Okwuegbunam performed 5 snaps on particular groups this summer season and mentioned he thinks he can add to his sport.

But it’s clear the pass-catching upside is why the Eagles introduced Albert O to city. He’s going to be within the playbook for the subsequent week and is likely to be inactive to begin the season. But finally, possibly we’ll see why the Eagles have been so keen so as to add him.

Trusting Kenny G

One of essentially the most intriguing storylines heading into the 2023 season is how the operating again rotation might be break up up. The Eagles added Rashaad Penny in free company and traded for D’Andre Swift through the draft.

But don’t neglect about Kenny Gainwell. Because the one factor we’ve realized about Gainwell over the past yr is that Nick Sirianni trusts him in key conditions. When the 2-minute or 4-minute offense is on the sphere, Gainwell is on the sphere.

“They’re trusting me to know what I have to do, know the down and distance, know where you gotta get to on the field,” Gainwell mentioned. “Know that it’s 4 minutes, stay in bounds — 2 minutes, get out of bounds to save time. They’re trusting me on that and I’m taking advantage of it.”

When requested about that situational work, Gainwell mentioned he will get to indicate his soccer character. Those moments are for sensible gamers and he considers himself to be a sensible participant.

It’s a task he actually enjoys.

“Oh man, we can win games with that role,” Gainwell mentioned. “It comes down to those big plays. Big plays happen in those small times. Nobody else realizes that, that they happen in. I’m just taking advantage of it.”

The distinction in Jordan Davis

What’s the most important distinction for Jordan Davis as he prepares to enter Year 2 of his NFL profession.

“I would say hand placement has been something that I’ve really been working on,” Davis answered. “Something that I’ve really honed in on, especially in the Browns-Indy week. Just making sure that I see on my film, my hands be slipping. But at the end of the day, hand placement and just driving back, knock back, solves about 95% of the problems.”

Hand placement is one thing that Eagles’ line of defense coach Tracy Rocker all the time stresses. And it’s one thing Davis has been engaged on a ton.

Davis mentioned the 2 guys he research most in relation to hand placement are Aaron Donald and Chris Jones, two of the very best defensive tackles within the NFL.

“That’s like the main two guys that stuck out,” he mentioned. “Not saying that they’re 100% all the time but when they are, you can really feel it.”

Reliving the glory days

During vast receiver drills, Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson is likely one of the guys who throws passes. Johnson, 36, was as soon as the beginning quarterback at Utah about 15 years in the past. And he was actually good. You may even keep in mind Johnson from the quilt of NCAA Football 10.

“I think he’s just trying to relive in the past a little bit, playing quarterback,” A.J. Brown mentioned jokingly. “He enjoys throwing us the ball, talking to us.”

But then Brown realized what Johnson will get out of watching these drills from the angle of the quarterback.

“And also, I do think he’s probably gauging, what are we doing in the moment,” Brown mentioned. “How well a person does this and does that. And so he’s probably coming up with a game plan in his mind. So I think that’s probably smart of him.”

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