Football fans, we are here! Eagles training camp kicks off Friday which will be the second training camp under head coach Chip Kelly (If you couldn't do math). Heading into training camp there will be many interesting position battles to watch as 90 men fight for 53 spots on the Eagles roster, but which battle for a starting job is most intriguing and could effect the Eagles the most? I believe the safety position is the steadiest it has been since the departure of Brian Dawkins. With Malcolm Jenkins solidifying one spot, I wouldn't mind Nate Allen or Earl Wolff, but both will be at equal opportunity to earn the starting gig. Allen is the veteran that has started a lof of football games, he's been a inconsistent player with some games your like "Wow look what that guy can do", and then there is "What are you doing!!". He can be a very frustrating player, but with Jenkins being a steady starter opposite Allen who has not had a productive starter with him since his rookie year in Quintin Mikell, I expect Allen to be a very good player. As for Earl Wolff, I believe he showed a lot promise in his rookie season however did battle injuries throughout the end of the season. I'd like to see more of his athleticism in camp and the preseason, and honestly if between Allen and Wolff its not that far off, tie goes to the potential. Chip Kelly knows that. The secondary has a lot of question marks and that goes for corner as well. Last years starters Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher provide a solid stop gap until the Eagles find their guys, but from the way it looks, I truly believe Kelly will go with the
players that are playing the best in the preseason. Nolan Carrol is a guy I can see as a starter over Fletcher who had a up and down season. As for Jaylen Watkins, you gotta give this kid more time but he is going to be a very special player. I am perfectly fine with Cary Williams, he shined in that NFC East title game against Dallas and brings a certain attitude to the Eagles that they have not had since....well you know it Brian Dawkins (Sensing a trend here?). Bradley Fletcher is a player that confuses me, he isn't really a great athlete but has good technique which allowed him to create some turnovers last season, and was always around the ball. But sometimes being around the ball isn't always a good thing, Fletcher often was beat over top and couldn't seem to keep with some of the greats in the league. That is why with Williams on one side, I believe Carrol just has more skill than Fletcher and athleticism. Let me remind you again that although Jaylen Watkins will be playing special teams this year, You will see him playing outside corner soon. I don't need to mention Brandon Boykin we know what we have in the stud slot corner finishing last season with the second most interceptions in the NFL. Other than the secondary there really aren't many notable starting battles. One however that will bring depth to the Eagles is the receiver battle. We know that Maclin, Cooper, Matthews, and Huff are locks. So with 4 already on the team, Kelly likely will keep 5 receivers leaving one spot for the likes of Brad Smith, Arrellious Benn, Ifeanyi Momah, Damaris Johnson, Jeff Mahel. When your looking at the 5 spot you need a guy that can bring some versatility and production on special teams. That to me defines Brad Smith who joined the team late last season. If it were up to me I would go with Brad Smith, but we still have to see what a healthy Benn can bring and Kelly really likes Jeff Mahel so time will tell the destiny of all of these players. Its gonna be fun though that we know because Eagles football is back!
players that are playing the best in the preseason. Nolan Carrol is a guy I can see as a starter over Fletcher who had a up and down season. As for Jaylen Watkins, you gotta give this kid more time but he is going to be a very special player. I am perfectly fine with Cary Williams, he shined in that NFC East title game against Dallas and brings a certain attitude to the Eagles that they have not had since....well you know it Brian Dawkins (Sensing a trend here?). Bradley Fletcher is a player that confuses me, he isn't really a great athlete but has good technique which allowed him to create some turnovers last season, and was always around the ball. But sometimes being around the ball isn't always a good thing, Fletcher often was beat over top and couldn't seem to keep with some of the greats in the league. That is why with Williams on one side, I believe Carrol just has more skill than Fletcher and athleticism. Let me remind you again that although Jaylen Watkins will be playing special teams this year, You will see him playing outside corner soon. I don't need to mention Brandon Boykin we know what we have in the stud slot corner finishing last season with the second most interceptions in the NFL. Other than the secondary there really aren't many notable starting battles. One however that will bring depth to the Eagles is the receiver battle. We know that Maclin, Cooper, Matthews, and Huff are locks. So with 4 already on the team, Kelly likely will keep 5 receivers leaving one spot for the likes of Brad Smith, Arrellious Benn, Ifeanyi Momah, Damaris Johnson, Jeff Mahel. When your looking at the 5 spot you need a guy that can bring some versatility and production on special teams. That to me defines Brad Smith who joined the team late last season. If it were up to me I would go with Brad Smith, but we still have to see what a healthy Benn can bring and Kelly really likes Jeff Mahel so time will tell the destiny of all of these players. Its gonna be fun though that we know because Eagles football is back! 
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