After Down Practice, Eagles Bounce Back With Cleveland, Browns, Blankenship

The Eagles had arguably their worst day of practice yesterday. Today, the had a much better one.

In a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday afternoon that lasted just over an hour, the Eagles put forward a strong performance, thanks to Wide Receiver Tyrie Cleveland, Wide Receiver AJ Brown, and Safety Sydney Brown.

Cleveland, for his part, seems to be a standout receiver for the backup quarterbacks. After logging 5 receptions for 68 yards in Saturday’s game against the Ravens, the former Bronco put on a show today. Multiple Eagles beat reporters indicated that he’s the favorite for the backup quarterbacks and, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, he even had a highlight-worthy catch in the back of the end zone, tossed to him by Marcus Mariota.

Speaking to the media before practice, Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence that the second-string receivers can still make good plays.

“Sometimes you go to a second or third group of receivers and you don’t feel like you can make a play,” Sirianni remarked. “I’ve definitely been on pre-season teams where you feel that way; don’t feel that way here.”

AJ Brown was notable in his performance, though he needed to ramp up a bit according to beat reporters. Quarterback Jalen Hurts overthrew him on a would-be touchdown catch early in practice before the two finally connected.

Hurts was on fire himself today. Though there were throws he wanted back, Hurts’ performance was reportedly one of the best since the early days of training camp. Hurts was on target with Brown as practice progressed, as well as TE Dallas Goedert. Meanwhile, the Browns were reportedly unable to stop DeVonta Smith to the point that their best hope was that Hurts didn’t throw a good ball to him.

According to Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation, CB Darius Slay had a bold proclamation for Smith.

“It’s not going to be too much longer that we’re saying Smitty is the best receiver in the league for sure,” Slay declared.

After practice, Eagles Offensive Coordinator told Eagles beat reporters that he felt better about the offense’s performance today.

Sirianni said before practice that yesterday’s performance was not up to the offensive standard.

“We’re working through all the corrections,” Sirianni said multiple times during the press conference.

Safety Reed Blankenship had intercepted Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson twice, according to Eagles beat reporters. One came after LB Zach Cunningham tipped a ball thrown towards in Blankenship’s direction, while the other came when Blankenship stepped in front of another Watson pass to Jordan Akins.

On the first interception, S Sydney Brown helped in a huge way by leveling Browns RB Demetrius Felton during Blankenship’s return. This led to a small scuffle on the field but it was resolved quickly.

After the practice, Brown echoed the desire of Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai’s defensive vision to be “palpable.”

“I want to be a feared player,” Brown reportedly said following practice, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.

G Landon Dickerson (foot) and LB Haason Reddick (thumb) were added to the injury report Tuesday as nonparticipants in practice. They joined their wide receiver teammates Quez Watkins (hamstring) and Britain Covey (hamstring), along with LB Patrick Johnson (ankle). On the Browns’ end, Myles Garrett, who got the better hand of Jordan Mailata, was also sidelined.

The Eagles have a closed walkthrough on Wednesday before the team faces off against the Browns in preseason action on Thursday.