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Carson Wentz, movie critic: Reich says Eagles QB's intense film focus pays off

The second-year pro is able to put himself "in the moment" watching film.

Eagle quarterback Carson Wentz, #11, left, rolls out and sees his target during a passing drill at Sunday’s practice under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Frank, Reich, right. The Philadelphia Eagles practice on Sunday with their new cornerback #35, Ronald Darby, who they got in a trade from Buffalo. 08/13/2017 MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Eagle quarterback Carson Wentz, #11, left, rolls out and sees his target during a passing drill at Sunday’s practice under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Frank, Reich, right. The Philadelphia Eagles practice on Sunday with their new cornerback #35, Ronald Darby, who they got in a trade from Buffalo. 08/13/2017 MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff PhotographerRead moreMichael Bryant

Part of the narrative of Carson Wentz's sterling sophomore season is the way the Eagles quarterback sees the game, making reads and adjustments, using his eyes to look defenders off the ball — advanced concepts for a second-year NFL QB.

Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich said Tuesday that part of what makes Wentz's preparation so effective is that he absorbs more from watching film than many other players can. Reich indicated that this is a key trait he finds in intuitive, knowledgeable players.

"You can study film and you can feel yourself get in the moment. … Good teams, good players, find a way to put themselves in the game all the time, whether it's a walk-through, whether it's a meeting room, whether you're in the film, studying it – when you can actually learn to put yourself in the moment and make it feel like it's a game, even though you're sitting in the film room, it takes discipline, it takes focus to do that, but I really believe you can get a lot better doing that," Reich said.

"You can have two people sit in a room for the same amount of time, and one guy get a lot more than the other guy. And I believe that Carson gets a lot out of every moment he spends there."

Another not-so-obvious reason for Wentz's success seems to be his relationship with quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. DeFilippo spoke last week about how he and Wentz have similar personalities, something Reich expanded upon:

"That relationship couldn't be any better," Reich said. "You've got two guys who like to get after it. Hard work, discipline, organized. Come to work every day to get better. They're really on the same page, and it's jelled really well."

In other news from the coordinators' press conferences:

  1. Jim Schwartz said it's too soon to say for sure that cornerback Ronald Darby will play or start Sunday night at Dallas, Darby has to get through the week of practice first, but when Darby is ready to start, he'll go back to the left side, with Jalen Mills moving to the right. Schwartz said both players can play both sides, and might, depending on matchups.

  2. Schwartz said new linebacker Dannell Ellerbe will learn all three positions and ought to be able to do that quickly, given that he is an eight-year veteran.

  3. Reich said running back Jay Ajayi has learned quickly and should be ready for whatever role the Eagles have in mind for him at Dallas, though, with the committee approach, he'll still be working in a limited package.