DeVonta Smith's Rise in Eagles' Camp: Consistency, Confidence, and Continuous Improvement
As the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp rolls on, all eyes are on wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who is fresh off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Standing out among his peers, Smith has shown consistent excellence, catching attention not just for his performance but also for his work ethic and dedication to improvement.
Emerging as a Camp Standout
Smith's position coach, Aaron Moorhead, can't help but laud the young receiver's impressive stint during the camp.
"He's had as good of a camp that he's had probably since I've been here with him," Moorhead noted, underscoring the span of their partnership. "His confidence is through the roof, and he's continuing just to master his craft."
This endorsement comes off the back of Smith's consistency in making catches during seven practices, demonstrating his reliability and presence on the field. Smith's focus isn't solely on physical capabilities; he aims to refine his football IQ and situational awareness, acknowledging the evolving dynamics of each season.
"You always want to improve your football IQ," Smith stated, highlighting his drive for continuous learning. "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."
The Standards of Excellence
Smith has set the bar high for himself. More than just making plays, he prioritizes being open and executing his responsibilities, irrespective of whether he gets the ball.
"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," Smith elaborated.
It’s this attention to detail that Moorhead greatly appreciates. Smith isn't just striving for the big plays but ensuring the routine tasks are performed with precision, reducing the margin for error.
"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 observed.
Historical Milestone and Contract Extension
Smith's impressive record speaks volumes. With 240 receptions and 3,178 receiving yards in his first three seasons, Smith has etched his name in Eagles' history, recording the highest reception and yard totals in this time frame. Recently, he cemented his future with the team by signing a contract extension worth $25 million per year.
Looking to the Future
Despite his success, Smith remains humble and driven, always seeking areas 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 remarked, encapsulating his growth mindset.
Moorhead echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of doing the routine things right, consistently.
"Just doing the routine things. The plays that I left on the field, there 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."
As the Eagles prepare for the new season, Moorhead is buoyant about his receiver corps. "I have great receivers," he asserted, with Smith leading the charge.
Moving ahead, the combination of Smith's burgeoning talent, dedication to improvement, and the unwavering support from his coaching staff sets the stage for what promises to be another remarkable season. The wide receiver's journey is one marked by relentless pursuit of excellence and adaptation, a testament to his status as one of the Eagles' standout stars.