Eagles storylines to watch during Nick Sirianni's first mandatory minicamp

As much as we like stats and information, these days, there might be too much data to help us break down the Philadelphia Eagles. Sometimes, we want to keep it simple. Just think of everything you have to keep up with.

Heck, there's PFF and Next Gen. There are hundreds of statistics with which to break down the game we love, It seems like new records are created and broken constantly.

Seriously, we have gone from quarterback ratings and QBR to '(Insert player name) is the first Eagles quarterback to throw for (insert number) yards when the temperature drops below (enter another number)." If we aren't discussing that, we're talking about '(insert quarterback name) has the highest completion percentage in NFL history when throwing from the (insert yard line). We're exaggerating of course, but you get the idea.

It doesn't end there. They're tracking, completions, interceptions, and passing yardage at OTAs. Seriously? Then, there are the narratives and storylines. With mandatory minicamp on the horizon, here are a few worth of each that are certainly worth monitoring

How is this CEO head coach thing going to work for Nick Sirianni?

Coach Sirianni gets a bad rap. He's viewed in many circles as a guy who doesn't push his players and as a pushover who lets them get away with murder.

While most of us can agree that we could see why some have that perception, it also lacks truth, Nick is a better leader than he is given credit for being. We could also argue that he isn't free of criticism.

It's indeed hard to respect authority when authority has been taken. What's a CEO head coach again? Cue the discussions about his lame-duck status and Kellen Moore being the head coach in waiting.

That's okay. Those discussions will persist throughout camp, but a few wins will settle everyone down.

How do the Eagles respond during their first mandatory minicamp under Nick Sirianni?

His team has been called disjointed. Some of the stars have unfairly been called locker-room issues, but no one would disagree that there was turmoil last season and Philly's collapse was very concerning.

Fast forward to the present, and the first mandatory minicamp of Sirianni's coaching tenure is on the horizon. Deciding to skip this portion of offseason workouts would have been unforgivable. Here's the thing though. No one knows what to expect or how players will respond.

Remember! Some of the NFL's rules prevent him from overworking guys.

Everything Jalen Hurts does at minicamp will be compared to what his backup Kenny Pickett is doing.

We did the legwork so you wouldn't have to. You won't believe what they're saying now. There's actually a discussion about how Kenny Pickett outplayed Jalen Hurts at various stages of rookie minicamp.

Don't go to social media. You're just going to frustrate yourselves.

This is our new NFL now though. We get the point. Media folk are hanging around at practice, and they're looking for ways to quantify what they are seeing.

All of that makes sense, but how about we spend less time trying to come up with takeaways from a contact-free practice where guys aren't wearing pads, and the highlight is a few 7-on-7 drills?

Is Isaiah Rodgers better than we thought?

Philly felt so good about Isaiah Rodgers' potential that they saw fit to acquire him last season, and they knew full well that he had to sit for its duration. With two open OTA practices in our rearview mirror, we're wondering if he's a shoo-in to make the roster. We remember him being pretty good in Indy, but we didn't know he was this good. Here's the best part. He also offers much as a returner.

Rodgers made plays during two open OTA practices. Sure, we're discussing contact-free sessions and 7-on-7 drills, but that isn't Rodgers' fault. He's doing his job and making an impression.

Does John Ross have any chance at making the roster?

John Ross says he's in a better place mentally, more consistent, and faster than the last time we saw him. Still, he needed a tryout at rookie minicamp and an unexpected retirement to occur before Philly decided to add him to the preseason roster.

Ross will have a tough hill to climb to make the Eagles roster. He has a very likeable personality, but the questions are about whether or not he can play.

The young guys on defense are getting along with the old school coach.

These young guys are spoiled... They're coddled... No one wants to work hard. That's much of what you hear when young NFL stars are discussed.

We've all heard the stories of Sean Desai's disconnect with players, and now Philly turns the page to Vic Fangio. Some of his former players have questioned his character and have done so publicly.

Eagles young and old are saying the right things. They want to be coached hard. There don't seem to be any issues with listening to an old-school philosophy.

Two young Birds, Nolan Smith and Jordan Davis learned while playing in Kirby Smart's system in Georgia, so they have welcomed the challenge. Check out recent interviews by both below.

James Bradberry's status (updated)

There were questions about James Bradberry's future. Some wobdered if he might show up to mandatory minicamp in light of there being questions about his future. Not only did he show up. He also took some snaps at safety, but then he exited practice early following individual drills with some sort of injury.

Stay tuned! We sure as heck will be!

Is James Bradberry going?

The 2022 Second-Team All-Pro had a rough go of it last season, and he was absent during two OTA practices that were open to the public at the end of May.

That's okay. Attendance at OTAs is voluntary, but if he's absent come minicamp, the questions will begin immediately.

Yep! This should be an intriguing mandatory minicamp. Stay tuned. We'll keep you abreast of the updates.

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