Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis will look for ways to use newcomers like rookie DT Beay Allen and veterans like Trent Cole to make the defense better. Photo by Todd Bauders/contrastphotography.com

Two new players Eagles fan will no doubt be keeping and eye on are safety Malcolm Jenkins and running back Darren Sproles who last year played for the New Orleans Saints.

Both played key roles in breaking a lot of Eagles fans hearts after the Saints defeated the Birds in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, by a score of 26–24 on a walk-off field goal.

Sproles’ had a 39-yard kickoff return, and a horse-collar tackle brought New Orleans to the Philadelphia 48. Using mostly runs, the Saints ate up the clock and set up kicker Shayne Graham’s winning boot.

During an interesting post-practice discussion, Jenkins talked about how the Saints planned for the Eagles up-tempo offense, how their defense adjusted to Coach Chip Kelly’s strategies that eventually paid off for the Saints.

Jenkins also talked about Sproles and what the Eagles can look forward to in addition to his kick return heroics.

“Pass protection,” Jenkins replied when asked what Sproles did on offense Eagles fans may not be aware of. “He’s small. So you think you can in there and think he’s a liability, but he’s really good at pass protection. He understands it. He puts himself into position to make plays, and he’s not just cutting everybody. He’s standing in there taking on blocks and holding up.

“I think Darren has a little Napoleon complex in him,” Jenkins replied with a laugh. He doesn’t like it when people call him small. Those are the things that he takes pride it. The hard-work things, things that take attitude and ‘want to’ to do. He’s really good at that because he has that Napoleon complex.”

***

One player who turned heads at OTAs and minicamp is veteran corner Nolan Carroll who signed a two-year deal with the Eagles during the 2014 offseason. A former fifth-round draft choice of Miami in 2010, Carroll emerged as a starter for the Dolphins in 2012 and set career highs in interceptions (three), passes defensed (11) and sacks (two) in 2013. Carroll has also been a valuable contributor to the team’s special teams units.

Many observers believe he is on path to claim a starting spot in the Eagles secondary. Kelly said the signing was not an under the radar signing.

“We didn’t think he was an under-the-radar signing,” Kelly said. “Obviously I don’t write the articles, and thank goodness we didn’t read them because he didn’t feel that way to us. We had him targeted very early as a guy we wanted to bring into this organization. I think he’s got the requisite length that we are looking for at the corner spot, especially as an outside corner. He’s an outstanding special teams player, been one of the top gunners in the league and obviously improvement in special teams was a big thing for us. Love his competitive makeup…I’ve been really impressed with Nolan the short time we’ve had him here and I know you guys have noticed he’s stuck out and excited about where he’s headed.”

Jenkins said he is also impressed with Carroll.

“You know? He’s shown up,” Jenkins said. “He’s somebody that’s jumped off the tape, big time. He’s natural in his back peddling. He can anticipate routes well. He jumps a lot of routes and make plays on the ball. He doesn’t let anyone get behind him. I’ve been pretty impressed so far.”

***

This is an important summer for guard/tackle Todd Herremans. The 2013 season was not one of his best. The 10-year veteran will turn 32 this October and, as is the way of pro sports, Herremans will be challenged.

Veteran guard/tackle Allen Barbre was resigned after an outstanding 2013 season as a versatile backup at every offensive line spot except center. Barbre will likely remain in that role.

Getting a serious look to push Herremans will be second year lineman Eric Tobin. Signed as a rookie free agent out of Iowa last year, Tobin played in just one game his rookie season, December 29, 2013 against Dallas.

Kelly talked about Tobin’s progress from last year.

“I know I say the same thing, it’s a guy in year two, so he’s a lot more comfortable than at this point in time last year, learning what our calls were, giving himself, hey, it’s this, I go to the ball snap,” Kelly said. “Instead of now what’s my proper footwork, what is my hand placement, how do we want to run this block here, how are we going to cooperate, are we double-teaming this guy to the back side linebacker. Whatever the assignment is, I just think he’s so much more comfortable in terms of what we are doing because he’s not totally learning.

“Now it’s really concentrating on, I think he knows what to do but it’s the how I think are the important things you’re getting out of him in year two,” Kelly continued. “And I think he’s shown improvement from that standpoint. So it will be exciting when we get back in July when we get the pads on to see if he can take it full circle — he has, he looks different. His body type looks different in terms of where he is. He has gotten stronger. His numbers in the weight room will indicate where he is from that standpoint so he has gotten stronger and he has gotten a little leaner at the same time.”
***

One player who you will not see the word “leaner” in the same sentence with is rookie tackle Beau Allen. The 6-foot-2, 333 pounder seventh round pick out of Wisconsin is the antithesis of the rest of his draft class.

While social media lit up with posts by Eagles Nation about the greyhounds, sleek wide receivers and defensive players the Birds picked before him, Allen was getting courted on Twitter by cheese steak restaurants throughout the Delaware Valley.

Allen said it was looking forward to trying the native Philadelphia sandwich.

“I haven’t got a cheese steak yet,” Allen laughed. “But I will crossing it off my bucket list real soon.”

Email Al Thompson at the.magazine2@footballstories.com.