Inside Training Camp: Green Bay Game In Focus

best teams in the AFC. But now, if you look at last season, you saw what Green Bay did to the Eagles. I think that's a game that Chip Kelly looked at and said, you know what, We're just not that elite team yet. So while it's not a full sixty minute comparison here, you get a little more rotating see how far you've come along. I think in certain areas it's a litmus test, particularly the defensive backfield against

Aaron Rodgers and a good group of receivers. But I'm not sure how much the coaches will play their frontline players. The league seems scared with all of these major players going down with serious injuries, how much do you play the starters. Will look into that a little bit later in the week when Chip Kelly addresses the media and talks about perhaps his rotation for Saturday night. A busy day here Wednesday at the Novicare Complex and a great

show for you as well. We'll take a look behind the scenes to the Detroit Lyons, a team that many believe will be in the playoffs this year. And we also have a studio guest who is vying to make the team and to impress some people around the league. But first let's get you caught up on everything going on with this football team. It's our three six the update out on the practice field with Alex Smith. Hi everyone, Alex Smith here with your three sixty update, present it

by Sports Atar. The Eagles are just three days away from their all important third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. Today, offensive coordinator Pat Shermer spoke about what he wanted to see from quarterback Sam Bradford as he gets ready to play the Packers. He's out there playing, so we just need him to, you know, do this play as well as he can. Hey, And when we go on the field, all we're trying to do is score touchdowns and get get in the end zone.

So he led us to a touchdown scoring drive when he was in the game the other night, So we just want him to do that. Shermer also spoke about one of Bradford's primary targets, rookie wide receiver Nelson Aglore, and what he's seen from the rookie here in his first NFL training camp. I think he's he's really made great strides in this training camp. He's proven he can make a play, and that's really critical for a receiver.

You know, we teach him to run these very specific routes and then we teach him that this is the way it should look like ideally, But at the end of the day, you get downfield somehow and when the ball comes your way, you gotta catch. And he's displayed in ability to do that, and that's I think what you'll help him kind of helps start him on his way.

Aglore responded to his coach's comments after practice today, and while he is very grateful for what Pat Schremer had to say, he's just gonna focus on getting better every day. For him to think that highly on me is obviously a blessing. He's a great coach and you know he's been doing this for a while, and you know, I'm grateful. But at the end of the day, I'm going to make the easy plays. So he sees a consistent player

moving over to the defensive side of the ball. We caught up with cornerback Byron Maxwell as he prepares to face off against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's talented receiver Corps. I mean, definitely. I mean, but that's any every game. Every game is a challenge. When you're going there's always a child. It's not that you're going out there and it's a slow It just happened to be Aaron Rodgers. He's wanted the best in the league. Um so it's a great test. We're ready for it

and we're gonna ready when it comes. Sticking in the secondary, safety Malcolm Jenkins spoke about what the defense gets out of both these training sessions and the preseason games. I mean, you know, it's I think both you get different things.

I think from a skill standpoint, you during practices where you really hone in on your skills, but when you get to the game, you know, you get the timing of tackling, and because we don't talk a live out here, but you get the timing of actually striking somebody would really like to fit in the run and um, it's a little bit faster, a little more intense. So the timing aspect you get, you get back into preseason games.

But from a skill development, that's all during during the work week and really by time the game come, you just just out there playing. The battle for the starting nickelback job has been one of the most contested spots here at Eagles training camp, but according to cornerback Jalen Watkins, working against the premier slot receiver like Jordan Matthews has gone a long way. I've been going against shortan since

my freshman year of college. But it's definitely he's physical at the point of attack with the ball, so from that aspect, he's gonna go up and get it. So then you get game reps every time he's in the game, and everybody knows he's a workhorse, so just chasing him all around the field is definitely a tough task and it's good to go to game, so you prepare for that, make sure you're caught up on all the latest Eagles

news before Saturday night's game in Green Bay. You can catch up on everything right here on Philadelphia Eagles dot Com. Thanks Alex. In a little bit, we're gonna look at the Detroit lines, a team that should have beat those Dallas Cowboys in the postseason last year, when I pose a threat once again in two in fifteen. But the third quarterback battle, it's one that's been in the spotlight, and it's amazing how deep this team is. Because of

the fact that you're focused on the third quarterback. But Matt Barkley, the longest tenure quarterback on this roster, hoping to win that third job, Dave, you have a chance to catch up with Yeah, and it's a different Matt Barkley in year three. He's healthy, he's confident, he knows the scheme, and he feels he's playing outstanding football. As for the roster battle with Tim Tebow, what does Barkley I have to say, Well, you've got to stick around

and find out. Next up Matt Barkley in studio on Inside Training Camp presented by Xfinity with extra twenty checking from sant Ander. You can get paid twenty dollars a month. Just direct deposit fifteen hundred dollars or more and pay two bills a month with the online bill pay feature. Then you can get paid twenty dollars a month. That's just the way it works. So what are you waiting for? However you do sports, however you do fun, However you

do summer, do it at Sports Authority Shop. Thousands of great deals this summer Sports Authority Section five twelve, Row six, seventh through ten. Those are our seats at this one time we can't be there. Please treat them right. Get there earliest daylight and yellow whole lot dress, warm gloves, hats, warm boots. Eric sits in the middle. Uncle Paul sits on the aisle, And if you want to sit in my seat. Make sure you get your ticket from the

only place a fan can trust. Buy and sell one, Verify authentic tickets with other true fans only on NFL ticket Exchange tickets from one fan to another with Xfinity. Stream your recordings anywhere board, download them to your smartphone or tablet to watch when you're off online. Now it'd be nice. Let's take it on the train. Awesome, or

on a plane. This will work on a plane. You can even watch on the Moon call or click today tomcaf fourth that is giving away a pair of Eagles season tickets entered away in at Philadelphia Eagles dot com flash see Yes then Philly. The quarterback position always in focus with the Philadelphia Eagles. We're gonna talk about it in studio here. I'm Eagles insider Dave Spidero with Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley, and hey, we're talking. Let's talk about

the position. Lots of success, ball moving up and down the field, lots of points on the board. How you feeling about your preseason? I feel solid. I felt like I've done a good job of moving moving the offense, putting us into good scoring positions. I wish I could have kept off a couple of drives with more touchdowns, but you can always nitpick at things. I think I've done a good job of managing the offense and pushing

the tempo, which is what coach Kelly wants. It's amazing the tempo and everybody talks about the tempo, and I guess I understand it. But the design of the offense seems to be great. When you now that you've really become ingrained in it, Matt, What is it about tempo to work so much even though the rest of the league knows is coming. Well, first of all, you've been practicing a certain way the whole year, or as one team, maybe that week they'll do some extra sprints after practice

or try to get in shape that week. But it doesn't compare to playing a full game at the level of high speed that we play it. And once we're going and it really shows up. You know, play six seven into a drive when you're pushing it and you're just going, you're lining up super quick every play, and

you got running backs coming out of the backfield. You got vertical routes and guys have to carry and they just have they just drop zones where guys will be wide open and you find open and happened in the game on Saturday. We just find open guys this ditch it. They'll get fifteen twenty yards like that. How is it challenged you mentally? I know the physical part is one thing, but how about it the mental part? Is it made

you more acute mentally absolutely focus. It makes you focus on what you need to know right now, and you have to make quick decisions. You have to make smart, quick decisions with the ball, not only pre snap. You don't have a whole really long process coming up to the ball, surveying the defense and making all these calls and checks. You get the play call, you line up, and you go, and all that has still has to happen before you get the ball to your hairs and

know where you going, what your reeds are. So it's it's definitely made me focus in on what matters and what I need to focus on this play. From a physical standpoint. We've talked about this before, from a couple of years ago to now, totally different. Right, the shoulders great, you're driving the ball, You're thrown with more as if you still feel that way. The things are every week better, better and better. Yeah, I'm not thinking about my arm anymore.

Whereas my first year I was here every ball through I wasn't even sure where it was going to end up, just because I was coming out to the side to compensate from my shoulder injury. So I'm totally confident with my arm now that I can put the ball wherever I want to. And now it's all just focusing about helping these younger guys getting the offense no know what their responsibilities need to be and just being a you know,

a commanding leader on the field. Now, this is not a knock at all of the wide receivers, but when you play in these preseason games, you're playing generally in the second half. You're playing with guys who may or may not be on the roster, not starting caliber at this point in their careers NFL plays. How is that an adjustment for you to not kind of know exactly

have that chemistry built with these guys. It can be a challenge at times just not being on the same timing or on the same page on certain routes, but it almost forces you to be a more accurate pastor, to be sharper with the rows and off the field, to make sure that those guys know what they're doing, to be a teacher to them, and to be a quarterback leader that they can the couple great competition here with Sam and with Mark and with Tim and you

has that made you a better quarterback? Yeah? I think we have a great room of quarterbacks who are all pushing each other. GJ is still kind of hanging out in our in our meeting groups too, and he's doing a little bit of both, so as many positions as he's playing. But yeah, all those guys, we're pushing ourselves to be better. We all have different backgrounds, all different skills that we bring to the table and definitely think

it's made all of us better. Man, we've got two preseason games to go here, mindset for you change it all in these last couple of weeks of preseason, I don't think so. Just just excited again to make the most of the opportunity, whether it's one series or you know, a majority of the game week for or whatever it's going to be. Uh, just score points, move the ball and make the coach is happy. Do you have an idea? At what point do you know how much you're gonna

play in a preseason game? Las Weego was the day before the game or the day of the game. So you're just preparing, preparing for you don't you don't really know what's going to happen, so you have to prepare for anything. And this week just knowing the game plan and know what you no our approaches to the score points and it's it's kind of similar week to week. But if you're on your on your gaming, it shouldn't be a problem. Matt, thanks for joining us than keep

up a good work. Matt Barkley in studio here on Philadelphia Eagles dot com. I scept to Philly, I sept to Philly plus the Trolley Regional Rail. I sept to Philly seventeen to Training Roadstreet line to my part point Marcus. Thanks for line all night experience the power of physical therapy At Novocare Rehabilitation. We know the importance of an active lifestyle. If you're currently injured, let us bring that

active lifestyle back to you. Novacare is the exclusive provider of physical therapy to the Philadelphia Eagles and with more than one hundred convenient locations throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey. Go to novocare dot com today and request an appointment online or call eight hundred seven seven zero six six eight two. The Eagles choose Novacare, So can you. Novacare

the power of physical therapy. You can't find a great doctor just anywhere, Sure you can specialists, primary care, Jefferson doctors, take a look a bit, excellent doctors, lots of locations. Call one eight hundred jeff Now, wow, that's a good number. One eight hundred, Jeff, Now, sure is I meant a good number of doctors. I meant a good number four doctors. I've got a feeling this could go on for a while. Noah can't, you'll interrupt. The announcer flinded Jefferson one eight hundred, Jeff,

Now for an appointment with Xfinity. Stream your recordings anywhere board download them to your smartphone or tablet to watch when you're offline. Wrong now, it would be nice. Let's take it on the train. Awesome, or on a plane. This will work on you can even watch on the moon. Call or click. Today or the second straight year, the Eagles are going to play on Thanksgiving, but this time it's gonna be against the Detroit Lions and the previous

the matchup. We bring in Tim Twentyman from Detroit Lions dot Com. Tim, the Eagles have the defending rushing champion in DeMarco Murray. On the flip side, the Lions have the defending number one ranked run defense in the entire NFL. But they lost two key pieces in Dominican Sue and Nick Fairley this past offseason. How would they compensate for those losses? Yeah, that's one of the real big question marks, you know, heading into training camp is is what does

an a Dominican sue list Lions defense look like? And you know, I think that the front office did a good job kind of being proactive knowing that that sue was gone and trading for Helodi Nada, the five time pro bowler. You know, So I think the loss in terms of the run game isn't going to be as significant as maybe people think. I think though Helodi Nada is going not gonna get you eight and a half

sacks that in Dominican suit did last year. You know, he's made a lot of money in this league playing nose and being that run stopper and that you know, blocking occupy occupier. And so I think the Lions are going to be still just as strong defensively against the run as they were last year. They're gonna have to find some other ways to get pressure on the quarterback

because the Dominican was so good at that. But just in terms of a run stopping defense, look, the Lions were the ninth best defense against the run in the history of the NFL. Last year. You know, teams average less than seventy yards per game. So I think They're still gonna be really strong in that end. They've got

DeAndre Levy behind Helodi Nada. They've got some guys in Ty run Walker and Kron Reach what they're excited about defensive tackle, and they get their middle linebacker, Stephen Tullock back. So strictly against the run, I think this unit is still going to be just as strong as they were last year. Levy is an underrated superstar in this league. He's definitely a name to watch this season. Now. When I think of the Lions, I think of Matthew Stafford

a quarterback and Calvin Johnson a wide receiver. But it seemed like the Lions realized that they had to pull a little more focus into the ground game this offseason. Tim Holmport wasn't for the Lions to invest with the top two picks in the draft Lake and Thompson in the first round, and then running back Amira Dula to help solidify that run game huge. I mean Jim Caldwell when he got here, he said, look, I want my team to be able to stop the run, which they

did last year, and run the football. They didn't get it done last year in that part of I mean, they ranked twenty eighth in the NFL and really put too much on Matthew Stafford's shoulders in the first year of an offense. And so they want to be more balanced. Like they were about fifty eight forty two pass run last year, and they want that number to be more fifty fifty. And so, like you said, they went and got a good young starting left guard in Lake and Tomlinson.

They got a guy in a mir Abdula who's kind of that change of pace, that shifty guy, that guy that can get him the big play, which they didn't have last year. So it's really been in emphasis this season. And I would add even the fifth round Michael Burton, the fullback who they've added as well. So they made a conscious effort to be better running the football and I think they did so. So we'll see, Tim. Is there any concern about whether Calvin Johnson might be starting

to hit a decline? He will be thirty years old this season. He nearly had two thousand yards just back in twenty twelve, but the last two seasons, understandably the numbers have gone down a little bit. Miss some time to injury last season. Is there any concern that Johnson's production might be on the decline. Well, I think the injuries probably more so. I mean, you know, he played in thirteen games last year, still had over a thousand yards in seventy seven catches and eight touchdowns, but the

injuries have cropped up. He missed three games last year, he missed two games the year before. That's more games than the last two seasons that he missed his for six and so you know he is going to be thirty years old this year. So I think the wear and tear that that's been put on his body, I think is the biggest concern, Not so much his abilities, because when he's in there, I think he's still showing

that he's that big play guy. He's a huge threat for them, But the injuries have nagged a little bit, and so that's something to watch with Calvin Johnson. You know, they probably have one of the best receiving duos in the league and him in Golden Taed and if those two guys can stay healthy and there you know, second year tight end Eric Ebron can emerge like they hope he will. I mean, that's a really nice trio, but I think the only thing that can derail that in

terms of Calvin is going to be the injuries. He's still Megatron, He's still that player, but can he stay healthy? I think he has to prove that this year. I think the question He's still respected one of the best receivers, not just receivers, but players in the entire NFL. Tim, last question for you. The Lions won ten games back in twenty eleven. They bounced back and won four the following season. Last year, the Lions won eleven games. Should

have beaten down also the playoffs. We all know what happened at the end of that game. But Tim, do you think the lines are better prepared to handle success this time around? Well? I think so, And I think it stumps from the top. Jim Callbo, the head coach. I think there's just a different mentality with this team. It's kind of a blue collar, lunch pale kind of football team, and he instills that in them, and so I think you know that that trickles down through the

coaching staff into the players. And I think this is a veteran laden team too. I mean, they've got some guys. You mentioned Matthew Stafford before. I mean, you can't believe it, but you know, this is going to be his seventh season in the NFL. And so you've got guys, you know, like Helodi Nada, like Stephen Tullock, like Glover Quinn, like Golden Table, a lot of veteran guys who kind of, you know, know what it takes to win in this league. And then they got a taste of it last year.

And I don't think they're gonna be too quick to let that taste escape their mouth. And and so they're gonna, you know, do what they need to do, and and stems from the top. And I would be real shocked if if we saw a steep decline like we've seen in last year's This is a veteran team. They've got walitytown, they've got a good coaching staff, um, they've got all

the pieces they think they have to win. It's just can you know, can they get off to a good start with your schedule and can they get a few breaks? It's gonna be a fun showdown come Thanksgiving. Tim, I will remind you the Eagles are undefeated on the Thanksgiving holiday. Tim Twentyman from Detroit Lions dot Com, thank you very much for taking us behind enemy lines. You're on Philadelphia Eagles dot com. A hot pain. Pain carves to complete electrolytes,

to replenish everything you need to keep sweating. What makes a temple out meat stella. She's wise, fierce, and she's not alone. Temple University where owls call home. We are the Cherry and White. The city is our classroom, and we lead the rush hour, making our mark on every field around the world. The world without Temple, well, that's like the sky without the North Star, Temple never stopping.

Have you ever dreamed of owning Eagles season tickets? Well, these two seats could be yours because Comcast Sportsnet and the Eagles are giving away a pair of tickets for the entire Eagles twenty fifteen season every week this summer brings you closer to the dream with a few chance to win these seats. It's easy to enter. Just answer this week's poll question. Enter now at Philadelphia Eagles dot

com slash CSM Philly and these could be yours. Love the Eagles play the new instant game from the Pennsylvania Lottery. Players must be eighteen or older. Please play responsibly. We're back. It's Inside Training Camp presented by Xfinity Dave and Chris here at an overcare complex and we're talking a little bit about the defensive secondary. Some young players expected to mature quickly, and one of them is second round draft pick Eric Row making some nice strides, Chris and chanced

to be a big time player. Could be a big time player. In fact, would you say, do you think you could be the nickel corner I believe. I believe he will be the nickel cornerback. Jaalen Watkins got the first crack in the preseason. Now it seems to be Eric Rowe's job on the other side of the ball on Saturday. Oh, by the way, Randall COBBA Pro Bowlers, So a great test for Row. Yes, one of the

best in the league, no doubt. Now the second row pick all Utah played three years at safety before making the transition to quarterback, and he's been thrown into the fire in a short time here in Philadelphia, learning both the outside and nickel spots deals trying to get the best defensive backs on the field. Rowe is surely one

of them. He's our Eagle and Focus with Alex Smith. Hi, everyone, Alex Smith here with the latest Eagle and Focus as today we turn our attention to rookie cornerback Eric Rowe. Rowe as a player targeted by the Eagles in the twenty fifteen draft, as the team moved up five spots

to grab him at forty seventh overall in the second round. Now, it was most likely rose versatility that drew the Eagle's interest, as he started his first three seasons at the University of Utah at cornerback before moving to safety in his senior year. Now, while Rowe does have experience playing both cornerback and safety, the nickel position is something new to him as he learns it for the first time in

his playing career. Ever since fellow rookie Jacory Shephard went down with an ACL injury, Roe has been taking first team reps on the inside and he's looked pretty comfortable to this point, putting on strong displays against the Colts and the Ravens in his first two preseason games. He may be new to the position, but to this point, Rowe has impressed his coaches with his ability to play the nickel. Yeah, the first time he's ever played inside. Us were limited, and you know, we kept the calls

pretty simple, but he did a nice job. I mean, he's a competitor all the end. He's got a nice press technique. He understood leverages, which is what you really have to do in the nickel slot spot. Eric is still growing outside on the outside, so he'll swing back and forth. And I've said this for a couple of years now. It's it's hard to know the outside and the inside and all the little different parts of it. And as a young guy, we try to stay out

of that. But right now we're trying to see if one of the corners will take the nickel spot so we can keep the safeties back deep. Roe has taken the majority of first team reps to this point, but he continues to battle with Jalen Watkins and e J. Biggers for that quote unquote starting role at the nickel. Roe want to face his biggest test to date this Saturday when the Eagles faced the Green Bay Packers. For Eagle and Focus. I'm Alex Smith. Thanks so much, Alex.

We are back on Thursday and Friday, and of course on Saturday it's the Eagles and the Packers seven o'clock kickoff from Lambo Field. You can watch it on DC ten. We've got complete coverage Chris handling the reins here at the Novicare Complex with the kickoff show and the postgame report presented by Rico Goodwin on Saturday. Looking very much forward to it again the All Poor and third preseason game. You'll be on the sidelines as part of the telecast. Yeah,

so well, I just don't. I just don't get the feel that the quarterbacks particularly say I don't. I just don't sense a full half for him. But I'm just guessing could you just be a number of snaps. We'll find out when Chip Kelly meets the media on Thursday and maybe closes in just a bid on where the Eagles are with playing time for Chris McPherson. I'm Dave Spidero. We thank you for joining us on inside training Camp presented by Xfinity. Have you ourselves all go right? Eagles Day?

There you came to the fess of all