‘We can only go up from there’

Spring football is all about acclimating new players to the environment and the culture as well as bringing every one of the 90 players on the roster along mentally and physically. There isn’t a depth chart. The “big plays” that are made are certainly applauded, but the players and the coaches know that what happens now doesn’t compare to when Training Camp starts and then preseason follows and the true roster evaluation begins in earnest.

Yet, you see things like when quarterback Jalen Hurts completes a couple of deep throws as he did late last week and understand that all of the work he’s put into improving the nuances of his game is paying off. Chemistry is building. The results are right there. And those things matter going forward.

“It’s just been conversation, getting on the same page. Reps and reps and reps. I think it’s been good for us to be out here doing some competitive drills and I think that will help us in the end,” Hurts said.

What’s very obvious to all is the level of integration the Eagles are enjoying in the schemes with the same head coach (Nick Sirianni) and coordinators (Shane Steichen, offense; Jonathan Gannon, defense; Michael Clay, special teams) returning for their second seasons.

“We’re just trying to build every day on what we did last year,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “You want to pick up where you left off. For me, missing most of the season with an injury, it feels like I’m in a good place. It’s all about me coming in in shape and being ready for Training Camp. We’ve got some young guys that I’m excited about.”

One of the cornerstones of Nick Sirianni’s Eagles program is “compete,” so that’s the theme for the rest of this week before the break begins. The program has been “organized” and “detailed,” said Brown, so it’s on the players to learn where they are supposed to be and when and to master the little things that matter so much on the field. After that, it’s about winning the battle. Sirianni is always going to have his side…