Eagles camp observations: Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo had his way against Tyler Steen, the front-runner to start at right guard
PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles' much-anticipated competition at right guard, led by Tyler Steen, might have to go back to the drawing board after the defensive tackled lined up against him pretty much had his way.
No, it wasn't Jalen Carter, who sat out a third straight practice on July 26 with a shoulder injury.
Rather, it was Moro Ojomo, lined up against Steen during much of practice, who pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage.
Ojomo had a pseudo-sack on Jalen Hurts (quarterbacks are not allowed to be touched) on one play. On another, Ojomo had a good push, put up his arm and deflected Hurts' pass.
Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt were constantly in the backfield putting pressure on Hurts, forcing him to throw the ball away on one occasion and throw before he was ready on another.
It was by far the defensive line's best performance of training camp.
That begs the question, is Ojomo that good? Or is the right guard battle still very much up in the air? Or both?
By all accounts, Steen, the Eagles' third-round pick in 2023, has looked better through the spring practices and into camp. Right tackle Lane Johnson said in the spring that Steen has shown "dominating traits."
That's in part why the Eagles allowed Mekhi Becton, who beat Steen out for the starting job last summer, to leave in free agency.
The Eagles didn't exactly hand the job to Steen, but he was clearly the front-runner, even after the Eagles acquired Kenyon Green in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade. Green, a 2022 first-round pick of the Texans, missed the first two days of training camp with a knee injury.
He returned on July 26, but didn't take part in team drills. That should change this coming week.
And if Ojomo or Carter, when he's healthy, are to continue having their way against the Eagles' first-team right guard, then do the Eagles have to turn to veteran Matt Pryor? Or rookie Drew Kendall?
For now, the Eagles are hoping that Steen or whoever wins the job will benefit from playing in between Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson and center Cam Jurgens.
"Tyler has done a really good job stepping for us the last few years (when injuries have hit)," offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo said. "You can feel his presence out there now. He's more comfortable. I think he's done a really nice job. I think if you asked the other O-line guys, they have talked about how much more he has grown as a person, and his personality out there."
Ojomo has grown, too.
He was the Eagles' seventh-round draft pick in 2023. He rarely played as a rookie. He had a bigger, but limited, role last season. The Eagles felt comfortable enough with Ojomo that they allowed Milton Williams to leave in free agency, and did not add a veteran to replace him.
That means Ojomo will play often next to Carter and Jordan Davis on the interior of the Eagles' defensive line.
"That's my dog," Hunt said about Ojomo. "(He's) twitchy, man. He’s one of those people on the inside that I don’t got to worry about. If you mess with him, (Carter) and (Davis) ... (as an edge rusher) you’re on your own," Hunt said about not facing double teams.
"He’s a workhorse, twitchy guy, strong man, always hustling to the ball. If you watch film, you’re going to see him 20 yards down the field chasing the ball. He’s made tackles. Having somebody like that inside, I can’t be outshined by a D-lineman."
If Ojomo continues that kind of play, Carter won't be the only defensive tackle opposing offensive linemen will have to worry about.
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Kelee Ringo's education vs AJ Brown
There's also a long way to go in the outside cornerback competition. Kelee Ringo, the Eagles' fourth-round pick in 2023, is the front-runner over veteran Adoree Jackson. With that status comes plenty of first-team reps against Eagles star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
It has been a process for Ringo. Brown got behind Ringo on one deep ball. Hurts underthrew the pass, but as Brown slowed to make a play on it, Ringo ran into him. That would have been a defensive pass interference penalty in a real game.
On another deep ball to Brown, Ringo did have good coverage, but Brown made a one-handed, over-the-shoulder catch and somehow managed to get both feet in bounds. That, of course, is likely more an indication of Brown's greatness as opposed to anything Ringo did wrong.
"When you’re going against guys like that, you have to be super technical in all of your preparations and what you do on the field," Ringo said about Brown and Smith.
As for Brown's catch, Ringo said: "For myself, I would say technique error. I just want to stay more connected (with him) as I get downfield so he’s not able to fade away last second. It was a good throw and catch, though."
Catch and throw of the day, Part II
This was during the developmental period for rookies and young players far down on the depth chart. QB Kyle McCord, the Eagles' sixth-round pick, threw a beautiful pass down the sideline for receiver Elijah Cooks.
Cooks used all of his 6-foot-4 frame to outleap the defender, then snare the pass while twisting and getting both feet in bounds. Practice ended after that play to chants of "Elijah! Elijah!"
Other observations
- Adoree Jackson started out as the outside cornerback, while Sydney Brown was the safety with the first unit.
- Rookie Drew Mukuba also worked in with the first unit at safety, but he was being looked at by trainers at the end of practice. He stayed until the end and walked off on his own.
- WR Johnny Wilson had a big day, with a few nice catches from backup QB Tanner McKee.
- In addition to Ojomo, Hunt also was in the Eagles' backfield putting pressure on Hurts. Patrick Johnson, meanwhile, had a "sack" on McKee.
- The Eagles are off on July 27, and will return with a full practice on July 28.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles training camp: Moro Ojomo abusing right guard competition
Category: Football
