Notes: Minicamp Comes To A Close

The 2015 Eagles got one more workout in Thursday before their six-week hiatus. Minicamp came to a close with a slightly-shortened practice under a light rain at the NovaCare Complex. One player was heard shouting “Freedom!” as the final horn sounded. A quick team meeting, and then school was officially let out.

“It’s a great group, we trust them,” said Chip Kelly, addressing the media for the final time before training camp. “They’ve got their individual workouts that they’ll be accountable for when they come back. Just enjoy your time off, you deserve your time off. They’ve worked extremely hard since April 20 and just looking forward to getting guys back here on the first (of August).”

What did the head coach learn about his team over the last eight weeks?

“I think their capacity to work is the biggest thing our staff has been impressed with in terms of the amount that we’ve gotten in since April 20th with this group,” he said. “It’s an extremely thirsty group in terms of they always want something more, something new.”

— Kelly said it wouldn’t be fair to make any depth chart determinations based off performances in these settings, where the players are in shorts and no contact is allowed. We did get some hints over the last couple months, though, about where things stand.

Nolan Carroll was a steady presence opposite Byron Maxwell at corner. Several players mixed in at safety, but Walter Thurmond popped up next to Malcolm Jenkins more times than not. There was a legitimate rotation at inside linebacker, with DeMeco Ryans, Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks splitting time.

On offense, Allen Barbre manned the left guard spot all spring. There was a rotating cast at right guard, meanwhile, led by Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner. The most consistent first-team wide receiver look featured Josh Huff and Riley Cooper on the outside and Jordan Matthews in the slot.

Rookies Nelson Agholor and Eric Rowe had some nice moments, and should make the competitions at receiver and corner interesting this summer.

— The Eagles seemed to come out of the offseason training program relatively unscathed on the injury front. Mychal Kendricks left team drills favoring his left arm about midway through Thursday’s practice and did not return. He told reporters he was fine as he walked indoors with his teammates at the end of the session. Rookie defensive back Randall Evans was off to the side with trainers for a good part of this week.

— There are several players that are still rehabbing from previous injury. Sam Bradford was limited to 7-on-7 work but hopes to be ready for the next step by camp.

“As I said before, there’s medical rehab, performance rehab and then prepare to play,” said Kelly. “He’s in the performance rehab aspect now, he’s got six weeks before we get back here in August, and then it’s prepare to play and get out there and wing the ball around.”

DeMeco Ryans participated perhaps more than expected this spring as he works back from an Achilles tear. He anticipates being full-go for training camp. Earl Wolff (knee) worked into some individual drills over the last couple weeks but spent most of his time off to the side with trainers.

— Players scatter all across the country starting today. Kiko Alonso is heading back to the Bay Area. Zach Ertz will be following Darren Sproles out to San Diego to train. Some, like Bradford, will hang back to rehab and get more familiar with the system.

Sheil and I, of course, won’t wander too far. Here’s to a great summer for our Birds 24/7 family.