Photo credit: Instagram @cj_wentz11
The Eagles seemed overjoyed as the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced, “With the second pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Carson Wentz, quarterback North Dakota State.”
The new Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz may play in the preseason finale on Thursday, and we can catch a glimpse of him warming up and working out at the preseason training camps.
He went through an hour-long pregame warmup last Saturday, where coach John DeFilippo put him through an intense workout to determine his pain tolerance after his rib injury. However well he practices, whether or not he can play will be decided by his x-ray results.
Wentz received a number of compliments, one of which was from the offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who says, “to get a player like Carson, I just think he fits with Doug’s offense, with this organization. I think this is the right place for him to grow. He brings the kinds of qualities, not just as a quarterback, but as a player, that you really look for. And that really for us, as a coaching staff and as an organization, starts with toughness, physical and mental toughness.”
The Eagles are quite impressed with Wentz’s maturity and intelligence, and say that he can be put to use in a lot of ways. The Eagles are fortunate to have a great player who adds a lot of energy and juice to practice every day. He’s considered a special player who possesses the ability to throw the ball from different angles, transfer information from the meeting room to the field, and does not repeat the same mistakes.
Wentz’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Covering the entire field
Wentz moves with quick steps forward and laterally while under pressure from rushers. He can also cover the entire field and throw from side-line to side-line.
Built
At 6’5”, Wentz is the biggest of the Eagles quarterbacks and can use his size to his advantage.
Strongest arm
He has amazing arm strength and can deliver deep passes with ease.
Athleticism
Wentz can escape the pocket and hurt the players with his legs, so he maintains distance between him and the other Eagles quarterbacks.
Throwing on the run
Wentz can throw the ball with a greater force while moving towards the left or right.
Weaknesses
Swaying passes
Wentz’s passes sway a lot, making them difficult for his teammates to catch. Pederson says Wentz is not up to speed mentally, and that swaying will diminish overtime.
Consistent accuracy
Wentz is not consistent in all the matches he plays—the reason may be mechanics, timing, and not yet completely seeing what he’s supposed to be seeing.
Defense can anticipate
Wentz swings the football in a way that lets the opposing defense anticipate the ball.
Sources:
Kempski, J., “Carson Wentz: Strengths and weaknesses through the first two weeks of training camp,” The Phillyvoice web site, August 11, 2016;
http://www.phillyvoice.com/carson-wentz-strengths-and-weaknesses-through-first-two-weeks-training-camp/
