OTA’s 2022

 

There are 32 franchises in the NFL.  Each tries to do things better and smarter, i.e. maximize the value everywhere. Organized Team Activities are no exception.  Per Wikipedia, “OTAs are the only practices between the end of the previous season and the start of training camp... Many teams use the OTAs to help develop players and make them better.” 

Eagles Organized Team Activities are scheduled for 5/31, June 2-3 and June 6-8.  These 6 sessions are well short of the NFL CBA limit (10).  And the Eagles are 1 of only 2 NFL teams (Bengals) that will not hold a mandatory mini-camp.  The Eagles have been scaling back the last several years... There was a significant downsizing in Nick Sirianni’s first season as coach. They practiced less frequently, for shorter time periods and less strenuous workouts. They increased the number of days off for over-30 veterans, limited (and in some cases last year, eliminated) the starters’ snaps in preseason games, and chose controlled joint practices with other teams (Browns & Dolphins this year) as alternative preparation for the regular season.  During the season, Sirianni substituted walk-throughs — “full speed,” he called the simulated workouts — for practices in pads that were typically held on Wednesdays. They are taking this philosophy even a step further in Sirianni's 2^nd year, eliminating 11 on 11 drills..

The 2^nd year coach is not familiar with “the old way,” so he’s working to maximize value, including OTA Value.  He has eliminated mandatory (minicamp) work hoping for voluntary attendance at “voluntary” OTA’s emphasizing teaching, conditioning and player development.  This worked last (COVID) year, where Sirianni was able to get his veterans to participate.  In addition, per Sirianni earlier this year, “We are transitioning away a little bit more from 11-on-11s this year (In favor of 7-on-7s). We are not going to see those this year.” So the big guys (offensive and defensive linemen) do not participate in the group sessions, rather working amongst themselves on techniques and fundamentals. 

Part of the Value- “protect the players.” Per the season one success, Sirianni and the Eagles feel vindicated to continue with their approach as they proceed (The Eagles had 76 adjusted games lost to injury, according to Football Outsiders’ annual analysis of weekly injury reports, an improvement from 128 games over the previous season, although 1 relatively healthy season is hardly enough of a sample size to conclude on these revised approaches).  Old school methodology still has adherents… Andy Reid’s KC Chiefs use an older, more rigorous approach, and Football Outsiders deemed them first in their “healthy teams metrics” for 2021. 

Landon Dickerson suffered 4 major injuries in college — torn ACLs in both knees and significant sprains to both ankles — and was able to finish just 1 of his 5 seasons at Florida State and Alabama.  The Eagles, nevertheless, drafted him in the second round, believing privately that their sports medicine and performance department’s progressive methods could ready Dickerson for the season and keep him healthy throughout.  Year 1 was a success.  So the same thinking likely went into drafting oft-injured linebacker Nakobe Dean this past April.

Of the changes, the most obvious has been training reduction and tracking workloads. Every NFL team uses tracking devices, though not all believe that fewer, less arduous practices will make players less likely to suffer injuries.  And the appearance of a lot of players with this limited approach this week will not be as revealing (without the hitting).  Perhaps initial glimpses of position pecking order will be established, especially on the O-Line (Right Guard), Off Ball LB and in the defensive backfield. 

So what are the tangible Eagle OTA Storylines:

• Jalen Hurts- Full recovery from the off-season ankle surgery?  Results of the off-season program with respected QB guru Tom House in California?  Chemistry in 2^nd year with Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and Quez Watkins.  And connection with close friend AJ Brown? 
• Mentors/Mentees- Fletcher Cox / Jordan Davis, Jason Kelce / Cam Jurgens.  Relationships and progress?
• Defensive turnover- Plenty of newbies on the scene in Eagle-land. Haason Reddick, Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis and James Bradberry are 5 players expected to make immediate contribution to the defense.  In addition, the return of injured players Brandon Graham and Davion Taylor add 2 more names to the group expected to make significant contributions, 2 players that were unavailable a large portion of last season.  
• Safety- Can Marcus Epps replace former starter Rodney McCloud?  Is Anthony Harris good enough?  Any progress from 2020 4^th rounder K’von Wallace?  Per Jon Gannon, "Everything that I look for in a safety, all those guys in that room have those qualities."  Coach Speak?
• Depth Pieces- The Eagles got a couple of interesting late round picks and then went all-out to sign Rookie Free Agents in a (COVID) rich class… Which ones stick, either on the 53, or on the practice squad?
• New 3^rd string QB: Carson Strong- If not for his knee issue, the highest rated QB in the class?  Who is this fella Carson Strong?  Can he spin it like they say?
• WR/Return Specialists: Devon Allen, Britain Covey- A Track star & a kid more “quick than fast?”
• Offensive Line: Jarrid Williams, William Dunkle, Josh Sills- Late Stoutland picks succeeding again?
• Tight End: Grant Calcaterra- More catcher than blocker, a future in 2TE sets with Dallas G?
• Running Back: Kennedy Brooks- 7 ypc in college, follows the O-Line, nothing fancy.  On this team, that’s a ticket to success.  Can he be a healthy version of Jordan Howard?
• Defensive Tackle: Noah Ellis- At 6’4” and 346, sounds like a good 2023 backup for Jordan Davis!
• SAM LB: Kyron Johnson and Ali Fayad are Edge players that arrive with good reputations as possibilities to not only back up Hassan Reddick, but also contribute on Special Teams.
• DBs: Birds added some respected names to compete- Josh Jobe, Mario Goodrich, Josh Blackwell & Reed Blankenship.  Do any of them have a future here?
• Odd Man Fronts- Jonathan Gannon preached a “hybrid” defense that can go 3-4 or 4-3.  Some predict a 5 man line as well, aka “odd man fronts.”  Will we get any info this week leading to an understanding of what they will do?  Who will be the 3 man front in a 3-4?  Cox-Davis-Hargrave?  Cox-Davis-Graham? 

Eagle Lesson:  The hidden question here is the argument about practice time, both quantity and quality.  “Old school” thinking suggests you can never get enough practice, and cannot overwork players.  The avant garde approach the Eagles are following is to practice smarter, not harder.  Keep the players fresh.  Avoid injury.  Focus on individual drills and mentoring teaching technique and the system.  It is probably true excessive practice and repetition can ingrain things, but at what cost based upon injuries and mental exhaustion?  Too little practice similarly can leave the players unprepared.  The Eagles are seeking a middle ground, avoiding injury and fatigue by pushing the players “just enough” in smart ways to maximize value.  The Eagles believe practicing longer or harder enters the world of diminishing returns.