Eagles still have plenty of work to do at training camp

Philadelphia Eagles
Photo credit Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The sweltering conditions in South Philadelphia made for another intense day at training camp.
The Eagles put on the pads for their third-straight practice Tuesday, and the team was prepared to do more tackling to the ground. However, the intense tackling was limited as the players battled the elements — and each other.  

The pads are back on today.....and live tackling is expected for the first time this summer.#Eagles #TrainingCamp2019 pic.twitter.com/79RoaEChwN

— Ed Benkin (@EdBenkin) July 30, 2019

With the fifth day of training camp completed, the Eagles are now just a little more than a week away from the start of their preseason schedule. However, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said not to read too much into the early work of camp when it comes to finalizing roster spots.

"All our guys play multi-dimensional and just work hard within the defense," he said. "Our roles and depth chart will be determined by what happens in training camp at the end, not what somebody does on an individual basis or anything else.  

"We have different groups that we run, and you'll see different guys out there in those groups because, facts of life, all those guys, if you're on the 53, you have to play."

It took everyone on the roster to win a Super Bowl for the Eagles during the 2017 season. While the coaches will see how the players perform on the practice field, more will be decided after the preseason games get underway. 

Offensive lineman Lane Johnson won't have to worry about playing time, but Johnson knows the intensity is already starting to build at the same rate as the thermometer. 

For Johnson and the rest of the lineman, that's never a problem with their offensive line coach.

You go talk to Jeff Stoutland," Johnson said. "Every day is Red Bull Day. We're just trying to get into football shape and really try to go out and execute. Under hot conditions, he wants to see who's going to tank, who's going to perform. That's what training camp's for."

While players continue to fight for roster spots, others are working their way back from injuries, like safety Rodney McLeod, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last September. McLeod has been wearing a knee brace, but he's already participating in seven-on-seven drills.  

McLeod hopes to be ready for the regular season and get into the team's third preseason game against Baltimore on Aug. 22.

"I'm feeling good," McLeod said. "It feels good to get out there and get some reps in with the guys, get my feet under me. I've been putting in a lot of work for an extended period of time. I'm just happy for every rep that I get, and I'm just really looking forward to the rest of this camp."

Defensive lineman Tim Jernigan is also recovering from an injury. He was out for most of last season with a back problem, and he never quite returned to his full strength.

Now, Jernigan is showing his old form as training camp battles continue. The competition started to heat up when the offense put together two impressive drives against the defense during Tuesday's workout. 

Jernigan was impressed with his teammates on the other side of the ball.

"They surprised me today with those back-to-back drives," he smiled. "When they came and put a drive on us that second time, they caught me off guard with that one. It's going to be interesting, and I can't wait to see it."