KRACZ: Clock ticking on chemistry class with Eagles Wentz and his WRs – The Intelligencer

PHILADELPHIA Five years Alshon Jeffery and Jay Cutler played together in Chicago.

The receiver and quarterback are no longer teammates, but they will play catch-up this week when the Eagles host the Dolphins for practices on Monday and Tuesday.

Its going to be great, Jeffery said after Sundays practice. Im pretty sure well catch up. Im always rooting for him so Im sure itll be great.

What would be great is if Jeffery and his new quarterback, Carson Wentz, could find the same page.

Receivers coach Mike Groh told reporters on Saturday that he believes Jeffery is behind in his play-study, citing a route that Jeffery turned into an out route that was supposed to go to the corner during Thursdays game against Buffalo. It was where Wentz threw the ball, but Jeffery was nowhere in the vicinity.

Alshon is not behind on anything, receiver Torrey Smith said. Weve been here all offseason. Its the same offense. Obviously youd like to get more reps on the field, but hes a pro, hes been there. Theyll be on the same page right before you know it.

Head coach Doug Pederson also jumped to Jefferys defense.

Alshon is doing fine, he said. He's working. He's getting reps whether he's not in, he's getting reps off on the side. He's getting reps when he's in there. So he's right where he needs to be. Everybody makes mistakes. You know, it's that time of the year. We've got a lot of football in right now, and he's doing well. We do have very similar plays. We have like plays where routes are very similar. And the fact is, everybody is going to make a mistake.

Added Jeffery: Its the game of football. Youre going to make some mistakes on a few plays, but Ill be all right.

Pederson has handled Jeffery with kid gloves ever since Jeffery injured his shoulder early in camp. The coach held the teams star receiver out of several days worth of team drills.

I feel pretty good, he said on Sunday.

Asked if he feels behind in his playbook, he said: Not at all. But at the same time, missing a few practices here and there, just give me some time in the offense, Ill be all right.

It would be nice if all right happens Thursday against Miami.

There seemed to be a concerted effort to get Jeffery more involved on Sunday. After practice, he and tight end Zach Ertz spent some time working on some plays.

We were just working on some routes that in the team period that he didnt get to throw so he wanted to get the reps, Jeffery said about the after-practice work. Any time you get the chance to get some extra work in, its great. We understand its more about us working and getting to know each other.

The time to get to know one another is shrinking. There is only one more meaningful preseason game and three weeks until the season opener in Washington. The final preseason game against the Jets on Aug. 31 will be reserved for second and third teamers.

It would certainly be nice to see Jeffery and Smith do something encouraging.

Its definitely important, Smith said. Its always just an extension of practice. Thats how I view preseason games, as an extension of practice, where you can get your block knocked off. So you want to go out there and compete and be better and just be ready because after that, thats the last live situation until we go to Washington. Im definitely looking forward to being as sharp as we can so we go in feeling good about ourselves leaving the field.

Jeffery missed the game in Green Bay but had five targets and two catches for 23 yards in 18 snaps against the Bills.

Smith hasnt been targeted at all in 30 snaps.

I have like 10 catches my entire preseason in six years, so I dont worry about getting the ball, Smith said.

Slot starter Nelson Agholor has played 50 snaps but has been targeted just three times and has two catches for 45 yards.

So the clock ticks toward the opener.

Will that be enough time?

It certainly didnt sound like it when Jeffery was asked about Cutler and their time in Chicago specifically about the back shoulder throw that he and his former quarterback worked to perfection.

Its over time and over years, Jeffery said. We were together a long time. He knows what I like, I know what he likes. But it takes time. We were together five years.

That sort of chemistry wont come in one game and probably not in three weeks.

In due time, Jeffery said. Each and every day we get better. We practice, so over time itll get better.

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