RB Donnel Pumphrey is looking much better this season. Photo by Andy Lewis / contrastphotography.com

Running back Donnel Pumphrey was a lost soul his rookie year. The speedster out of San Diego State was drafted in the fourth round to take over role of veteran Darren Sproles who had been a terror out the backfield and as a kick returner.

Like Sproles, Pumphrey is tiny, listed at 5-foot-9, 176 pounds. He lacks the meat-on-bones build Sproles has, but definitely checks the box for blazing speed.

At OTA’s showed his breakaway speed, but at mini-camp, when the there was live hitting Pumphrey seemed to disappear.

In the preseason games he did nothing, then he suffered a leg injury.

But so far this spring and summer Pumphrey has looked more comfortable, making good cuts with the ball and is being productive.

The 23-year-old admitted he is more relaxed this time around.

“I think so far I’m getting better,” Pumphrey said at his locker after a recent training camp practice. “Each day I go into camp ad just keep stacking these days up and get better and better each day. I’m going to continue to learn from the vets, coach Duce (Duce Staley) and everything he teaches me off the field. I just have to put that knowledge onto the field and continue to work.”

Pumphrey, who had some explosive plays at the Eagles open practice August 5at the Linc, talked about his level of comfort now.

“I feel a lot more comfortable coming into this camp,” he said. “Last year, I really didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t able to play fast. This year I feel like I’m playing fast and know where to be.”
Pumphrey talked about being himself. He talked about letting his performances at practice come to him rather than trying to be perfect.

“That’s really a big thing,” Pumphrey said. “Being yourself, you have that confidence. If you’re being yourself, you’re doing exactly what got you to this point. Last year I felt like I wasn’t being myself whatsoever, I was more thinking in my head and not being able to play fast. That goes along way just being comfortable with the whole playbook and just react instead of thinking.”

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Rookie free agent Aaron Evans could steal a spot on the roster a place on the practice squad.
Photo by Andy Lewis / contrastphotography.com

Rookie free agent interior lineman Aaron Evans is having a good camp. This unit is stacked wit accomplished stars so the 6-6, 319 pounder out of Central Florida’s best chance is at the end of the roster or practice.

But he is playing well and with the struggles of Isaac Seumalo and the disappointing 2017 season Chance Warmack turned in, he has a chance.

During one training camp lineman drill session, future Hall of Fame tackle Jason Peters took the time to pull him aside and give him pointers on his stance and hand work.Veteran interior lineman Stefen Wisniewski has been seen on the field talking one-on-one with the rookie.
Evans said he had heard about the Eagles line and how together they were as a unit.

“I think it’s something unique here, I had heard about these guys, that they are a really good group of guys,” Evans said at his locker after a training camp practice. “Now I’ve experienced that first hand. These guys really, genuinely want to improve everyone down the line and see who is the best player and get the most out of him.”

Evans talked about the on field coaching he got from Peters.

“It’s almost like an honor to get pointers from JP,” Evans said. “You know his stature, his experience. It’s an honor and very insightful. It’s really exciting for me to learn from him and be under him. For him to take the time to talk to me was great.”

Evans continued to talk up one of the best linemen in Eagles history.

“Who has played as long as he had,” Evans said. “He is genuinely a good man on top of being a good football player. I think he just wants to share his knowledge. It makes me feel like I’m cared about, that I have value and he’s trying to make me more valuable. I really appreciate that.”

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LB Kamu Grugier-Hill is looking to start.
Photo by Andy Lewis / contrastphotography.com

Kamu Grugier-Hill is looking to step up and grab a starting linebacker spot. He has added about 15 pounds and is having a good camp.

The third-year linebacker out of Eastern Illinois on comparisons to Mychal Kendricks, who left to sign with the Cleveland Browns.

“I can’t compare myself to Mike,” Grugier-Hill said. “I’m my own player. I think I bring a lot of athleticism and speed to the game, for sure. Especially with pass coverages and being able to read plays and chase things down. That’s where I feel the strongest.”