The Eagles had one final day of training camp practice on Wednesday and quarterback Jalen Hurts spoke to reporters afterward about working with the young group of receivers, and gave his overall impression of the team at this point of the offseason.
Here’s what the QB had to say:
On coaching up the WRs
Hurts said that over time he has grown more vocal with receivers in regards to how he might want certain things to look or a route to be ran, but noted there’s always an adjustment period because how a new OC is teaching something
plays a role in it.
“I think specifically when you find the footing in certain things, you want to communicate how you see it and how it unfolds. You see that, but that’s just a communication of getting some of those guys on the same page, and really just building that chemistry, especially with some of the younger guys now — with all the injuries we’ve had, there’s been a lot of opportunities for other guys to step up. And so communicating that, and trying to build that rapport and chemistry with them, so when the opportunity comes in a real game there’s no confusion or [misunderstanding] of what we’re trying to accomplish, what we’re trying to do.”
[Writer’s note: In the most recent Mic’d up video released by the Eagles, Jalen Hurts is seen coaching up Will Shipley on the sideline at practice (at the 2:40 mark), and Jordan Mailata credits the QB for speaking up.]
On John Metchie III
Hurts talked about how the two barely overlapped at Alabama, noting Metchie enrolled early, but Hurts was on his way to Oklahoma.
“I just told [Metchie] I was excited to have him and that we can catch up on some missed time.”
He later explained how incorporating someone into the offense who is coming in so late into training camp is about establishing and then understanding the role given their joining the team. Hurts noted that Metchie has a lot of talent, has a lot of ability, and has played a lot of high-level football.
“As we get started, it’s about embracing that role, in whatever that role is, and that may change, that may evolve, but just building that chemistry throughout, and kind of have a next-man-up mentality with it.”
On the state of the offense
“I think we had a really good offseason, and a really good training camp, and just being able to build on the foundation that we’ve established over the years. And so, I think we’re headed in a good direction in that. We just want to continue to build.
I think for context of what training camp serves, you want to try and find an identity. I’m not saying we’re leaving here with an identity, but we know what we’re capable of and we know the things we need to work on. And so, when you go into training camp, you’re trying new things and you’re trying to expand your repertoire, and build on new things, and you take the highs with the lows knowing that you kind of know what direction you want to be in.“
The QB went on to talk about how OC Kevin Patullo, specifically, has been calling things that he just wants to see. That doesn’t mean those plays will end up on the call sheet, especially right away, but they are things that might come up later in the season and they’ll have a foundation set.
On Darius Cooper
“He’s very calm-demeanored and has very strong hands. He catches the ball very well with his hands, and when you do that, I just encourage you to trust him. And so, I think for him, just continue to build with him as he continues to grow, and kind of go through that journey this year, together.”
Other notables
- The QB called a bunch of kids in attendance onto the field for autographs on Wednesday and he talked about how he feels a sense of responsibility as a role model to give the youth hope and connection.
- Hurts said it’s extremely important that all of the coaches are speaking the same language and are communicating the same message, because it can get messy if that’s not the case.
- He mentioned how his approach and expectations from training camp have evolved. For so much of the year the only thing that matters is winning, but there are so many things to take into consideration — new playcaller, guys filling in holes, etc… —, that his mentality has changed and then shifts back when the season starts.
