Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith hasn’t earned individual accolades in the NFL yet, although teammate Darius Slay said that’s just a matter of time.
For two days this week, Ward and Smith went at it during drills and scrimmages as their teams practiced together on Monday and Tuesday. The fans who attended those practices probably got treated to something that those who attend Thursday night’s NFL preseason game between the Browns and Eagles won’t see.
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Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said the Browns’ established starters wouldn’t play against Philadelphia. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni hasn’t ruled out giving quarterback Jalen Hurts a little preseason action after holding him out of Philadelphia’s preseason opener last week. If Hurts plays, expect Smith on the field, too.
A Pro Bowler in five of the past six seasons, Slay, like Ward did this week, spends practice time trying to cover Smith. From that perspective, Slay declared on Tuesday that fans are watching Smith’s ascension to the best wide receiver in the NFL, saying, “It’s destined for him.”
“I’ve been telling him since he’s been a rookie: He’s way ahead of his class when it comes to his route-running ability,” Slay said. “I told him the other day, ‘Man, you’re a guy that I never seen before that can adjust like that in the middle of pressing, hard press, motor catching, all of that.’ He got the body and control to adjust to anything. One time, I think we did a one-on-one drill, he ran a seven cut. I covered it very well. But then he just acrobatic catch it behind. He got all the tools.
“I told him like, ‘You know, ain’t going to be too much longer that we’re going to be saying Smitty’s the best receiver in the league, for sure.’ Ain’t going to be too much longer. … He’s got that type of ability to be that kind of guy.”
If Smith fulfills Slay’s expectation, it will be because of his experience and work, Hurts said.
“I always talk about just the natural maturation in all these different positions and how experience is the biggest teacher,” Hurts said on Tuesday. “And he’s a hell of a worker. We spend a lot of late nights and early mornings just working – working on our timing, getting tons of reps in. And it pays off over time.”
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After winning the Heisman Trophy for Alabama’s undefeated CFP national-championship team in 2020, Smith joined the Eagles as the 10th selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Smith set a franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie in 2021 and another for receptions by a wide receiver in 2022.
In 34 regular-season games, Smith has 159 receptions for 2,112 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has 19 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown in four playoff games.
On Tuesday, Men’s Journal detailed Smith’s training regimen during the offseason, when the wide receiver works out at House of Athlete in Tampa, Florida.
“There aren’t too many people hitting the gym when I’m hitting the gym,” Smith said of his offseason schedule, “and I like it that way. I like to train on my own. I’ve always been a solo training guy, and that’s mostly because I like to work out really, really early. It’s quiet, and I have a lot of one-on-one time with my trainer. I get to work at my own pace and focus on what’s going to make me better. I’m getting my lift on around 5 in the morning and hitting the track around 8 or 9.”
Smith told Charles Thorp of Men’s Health that he has to change his workout schedule when he’s with the Eagles.
“During the season, I’ll probably get up around 5:30 in the morning and start the day by doing some maintenance work on my body,” Smith said. “I’ll do a little flexibility work on my ankles and legs, get a massage, and also use a Theragun to warm up parts of the body. That’s when I’m ready to get in a lift. After the lift, I’ll head to team meetings. After the meetings, it’s more practice.
“My favorite part of the day is going home. There are players who like to train, then do everything else after. I personally like waking up early and getting everything done early. That way, when we’re done with practice and are done with what the team needs, I’m able to really focus on recharging.”
The Browns and Eagles kick off the second week of the NFL’s 2023 preseason schedule at 6:30 p.m. CDT Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. NFL Network will televise the game.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.