Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Observations from OTAs

The months of March and April might have been the two most exciting months for the Philadelphia Eagles in a single offseason in franchise history. From wild player acquisitions like Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray to constant Marcus Mariota trade speculation, there wasn't a dull moment for the fanbase. 

The last month has been quiet, though, with only the start of Organized Team Activities breaking the silence of the May and June months. 

With training camp not starting for almost two months, it's the OTAs where the Eagles have a chance to finally look at the players they added during the offseason. 

The following slides will highlight some of the biggest developments for the Eagles during OTAs, both positive and negative. 

Battle for the No. 3 Quarterback

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Third-string quarterback Matt Barkley has been extremely unimpressive during his two seasons in Philadelphia, throwing four interceptions without a touchdown during limited playing time. So when the Eagles signed former first-round pick Tim Tebow, it appeared the writing was on the wall for Barkley.

After all, the Eagles have reportedly dangled Barkley on the trade block without finding a suitor, per Howard Eskin of Fox 29 TV. Any team bringing in a polarizing veteran like Tebow likely has a plan for him, whether it's as a short-yardage threat or simply a third-string quarterback with more upside than Barkley. 

But it's Barkley who looks like he won't go quietly. Two years removed from his shoulder injury, the former USC star looks to be "in considerably better shape, leaner and his arm is improved," per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. 

Meanwhile, Tebow, even with an improved throwing motion, is a career 47.9 percent passer who hasn't played a meaningful NFL snap in three seasons.

The battle for the third quarterback behind Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez might be closer than originally expected. 

Kiko Alonso Looks 110 Percent Healthy

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Less than a year ago, reigning PWFA Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Kiko Alonso suffered a torn ACL that would cost him his entire second season in the National Football League. The shocking trade that sent Alonso to Philly for 2013 rushing champion LeSean McCoy came with a major question mark, as Alonso would need to prove that he was 100 percent healthy following his knee injury. 

Although he's just playing in pads in non-contact drills, Alonso reportedly looks as good as he did before he tore his ACL. 

"

Kiko Alonso is as good as he was in Buffalo, and he looks 110% healthy, Chip getting Kiko/Murray for McCoy is some impressive GMing. #eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) June 3, 2015"

If Alonso can return to the form that allowed him to collect 159 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks in 2013, the Eagles will have one of the best front-seven units in the league. Credit Alonso for keeping his mouth shut and doing his work on the football field, unlike the player he was traded for in March. 

Walter Thurmond Playing Safety

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Veteran Malcolm Jenkins is one of the two starting safeties for the Philadelphia Eagles, but imagine if you tried to figure out the second one a year ago. Former fifth-round picks Earl Wolff and Ed Reynolds are each fighting for a roster spot, as are last year's rookie Jaylen Watkins and former undrafted free agent Jerome Couplin.

But the new face playing the position is a shocking one. Walter Thurmond, signed from the New York Giants as veteran depth at cornerback, has been working out at safety during OTAs. 

Thurmond converting to safety could be good news for Brandon Boykin, the team's nickel corner who has been among the best in the game at his position since he entered the NFL in 2012. Boykin had been mentioned on the trade block, but if Thurmond moves to safety, the Eagles can keep Boykin at inside corner.

It's still impossible to predict whether the former Legion of Boom member can develop into a starting safety, but it's nice to have one more option at a position that has been a major weakness ever since future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins left in 2009. 

Defensive Backs Coach Cory Undlin Could Be Difference Maker

Uncredited/Associated Press

You can place a significant amount of blame on the Eagles' passing game struggles in 2014 on players like Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen, and you'd be absolutely correct. 

But it's worth noting that safety Malcolm Jenkins didn't list getting rid of those players, or even signing Byron Maxwell, as the biggest potential change to the secondary in 2015. No, Jenkins instead talked about the switch at coach in the defensive backfield. 

"The change in philosophy is the biggest change,'' Jenkins said after one of the team's workouts at the NovaCare Complex, per Mark Eckel on NJ.com. "And Cory Undlin is the most important pick up in that room. Even Maxwell, who has great technique and knows how to win, but I think getting coach Undelin is the biggest difference.''

Undlin, who worked with three Pro Bowl defensive backs in 2014 in Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward, will look to turn Maxwell into the $63 million weapon the Eagles expect.

With the addition of Maxwell, rookie Eric Rowe and Undlin, it's safe to say that the Eagles already have a secondary that's significantly better than it was in 2014. 

Marcus Smith Continues to Fall Behind

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If there's one player on the Eagles who should have a chip on his shoulder this offseason, it's last year's first-round pick Marcus Smith. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith played in just 74 snaps and collected zero tackles during a rookie season that can generously be described as awful. 

But Smith hasn't even been able to participate in OTAs yet, as he's been battling a muscle injury in his leg. That's not a good sign for a player who has already been mentioned on the trade block, per NJ.com's Mark Eckel. 

While it's not realistic to expect the Eagles to cut or trade Smith before the start of his sophomore season, it's in the best interest of the outside linebacker to do everything he can to find a way to stay on the field this year.