The Eagles got back to work on Monday with a few extra days of rest after the comprehensive win over the hapless, lifeless, woeful New York Giants.

I guess the biggest storyline this week is trying to get some banged up guys back to 100% before the weekend game against the Carolina Panthers, who were disappointing in a Sunday loss to the Redskins.

Jason Peters looks like he’ll be a go, much to Russ Joy’s dismay:

The contingency plan would be to use Halapoulivaati Vaitai at left tackle and leave the rest of the line intact. Lane Johnson will get the longer week to rest his bum ankle, which was heavily wrapped last week. For context, Ian Rapoport rapoported that Peters might be out one or two weeks with the biceps injury:

Beyond that, we should have updates on Nate Gerry (ankle, knee), Corey Graham (hamstring), Haloti Ngata (calf), and Darren Sproles a little later this week.

The Thursday night game pushed the media schedule back a few days, so coordinators Jim Schwartz and Mike Groh spoke this afternoon in lieu of head ball coach Doug Pederson.

Schwartz:

  • still a work in progress in the secondary, lot of pride in the group
  • RE: Breeland Speaks letting up on Tom Brady last night, Schwartz drew parallels to the Mathias Kiwanuka play against Vince Young back in 2006, where Kiwanuka let up against the then-Titans QB because he thought Young had thrown the ball and did not want to be flagged for roughing the passer
  • Cross training and the emphasis on versatility is done to combat the inevitability of injuries. “Injuries are nothing new, but when you get multiples at a position, it can be difficult.”
  • Carolina’s running attack isn’t too different than other NFL teams, they’re just willing to use it on all downs and distances, no constraints on the way they use QB runs.
  • Avonte Maddox took slot snaps in training camp, so it made sense to move him inside against New York (Rasul Douglas came in to play safety)
  • Schwartz ended his presser by referencing one of my favorite movies. Talking about Carolina, he said, “it’s not just a new coordinator, but there’s significant.. a different dynamic of players there.. to go Spinal Tap on you, they just turned their quarterback runs up to 11, that’s really probably the biggest difference.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Groh:

  • great to have Corey Clement back in the mix, offers a lot as a runner and receiver and helps in protection
  • Clement was a full go on Thursday and was not on a “pitch count”
  • Big V played well last season, did a good job jumping in on Thursday night
  • still searching for the element of a deep threat in the receiving corps, using a bunch of different guys to try to replicate that role
  • too early to determine a left tackle starter for Sunday
  • RE: Isaac Seumalo: every decision we make is in the best interest of the team
  • Shelton Gibson is “doing a lot of good things,” a guy they’re trying to work into the mix
  • Wendell Smallwood has been consistent in his performances and diligent in his preparation
  • Jason Peters is valued member of the offensive line, hopeful he’ll be able to continue to play