Smith Shines in Eagles' Training Camp, Eyes Continued Improvement
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the upcoming NFL season, wide receiver DeVonta Smith has emerged as a central figure in their preparations. With back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, Smith has become a reliable offensive force for the Eagles and is poised for yet another standout year.
Smith's performance in the Eagles' training camp has not gone unnoticed. According to his position coach, Aaron Moorhead, Smith has been a consistent performer throughout the camp. "He's had as good of a camp that he's had probably since I've been here with him. His confidence is through the roof, and he's continuing just to master his craft," Moorhead said, reflecting on Smith's relentless work ethic and progress.
Indeed, Smith's consistency has been evident across seven practices, where he has repeatedly made crucial catches. This has only bolstered the confidence of both his teammates and coaches. With Moorhead guiding him, Smith's attention to detail and execution of routine plays have been pivotal in his development. "Just doing the routine things. The plays that I left on the field were routine things that I wasn't doing. Making sure that I'm constantly doing the routine things so that I'm capitalizing on every play," Moorhead noted.
Smith's stats speak volumes about his contributions to the team. With 240 receptions and 3,178 receiving yards in his first three seasons, he has rewritten the Eagles' history books. The young receiver recently inked a contract extension worth $25 million per year, a testament to his value to the franchise.
However, Smith isn't resting on his laurels. Driven by a relentless desire to improve, he is focused on enhancing his football IQ and situational awareness. "You always want to improve your football IQ. That's something you can always grow on. There might be situations we have this year that we didn't run into last year. So situational football and football IQ," Smith emphasized.
This dedication to self-improvement extends to his attitude on the field. Smith has set high standards for himself, striving to be open even if the ball doesn't come his way. "Making sure I'm doing my job. If I'm open and the ball doesn't come to me, for me, that's a plus because at the end of the day, I still did my job. I was open. So just going out there and making sure I'm putting the right things on tape," he explained.
Moorhead is quick to appreciate Smith's discipline and attention to detail. "There are plays I think every year he's been here he's left on the field for certain things, and just maybe a technique here, a technique there, and things that would've been big plays for us in games. He knows that," Moorhead remarked, further highlighting Smith's commitment to honing his skills.
With such a mindset, it's no wonder that Moorhead speaks highly of his receiving corps. "I have great receivers," he stated, with Smith evidently being a lynchpin in that assessment. The synergy between Moorhead and Smith is a cornerstone of the Eagles' offensive strategies, as they aim to leverage Smith's talents to drive the team forward.
Looking at Smith's journey so far, one thing is clear: he believes there's always room for improvement. "There's always room for improvement. Every year, you're gonna find something new that you're going to want to put in the toolbox," Smith admitted. This ongoing pursuit of excellence is what sets him apart and keeps him at the top of his game.
As the season inches closer, the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans can take comfort in knowing that DeVonta Smith is more than prepared to step up and deliver. His blend of talent, determination, and relentless improvement embodies the spirit of a top-tier athlete ready to make his mark once again.