As DeVonta Smith steps into his fourth season with the Philadelphia Eagles, the buzz around the wide receiver continues to grow. Fresh off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Smith's performance has not only been consistent but exemplary, making him a standout player during the Eagles' training camp. His position coach, Aaron Moorhead, has witnessed Smith's confidence soar, an encouraging sign for the team and its fans.
Training Camp Excellence
Moorhead has not held back in his praise for Smith's efforts in training camp, highlighting the wide receiver's dedication and skill. "He's had as good of a camp that he's had probably since I've been here with him. His confidence is through the roof, and he's continuing just to master his craft," Moorhead remarked. The impact of this confidence is evident in Smith’s consistent performance, especially during seven key practices where his ability to make crucial catches shone through.
Continuous Improvement
This sense of mastery and improvement is something Smith himself is emphatic about. Despite his record-setting first three seasons, where he amassed 240 receptions and 3,178 receiving yards—the most in Eagles history—Smith remains focused on elevating his game. "You always want to improve your football IQ. 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," Smith insisted. It’s clear that this drive for improvement isn't just talk but a core part of his approach to the game.
High Standards and Attention to Detail
Smith has been meticulous in setting high standards for himself, striving to be open on routes and fulfill his responsibilities on the field, regardless of where the ball ends up. "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 explained. This attention to detail is not lost on Moorhead, who appreciates Smith's commitment to executing routine plays with precision.
Addressing Past Mistakes
Reflecting on past performances, both Smith and Moorhead recognize the importance of ironing out minor mistakes to maximize potential game-changing plays. "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 noted. This awareness of missed opportunities fuels Smith's relentless pursuit of perfection.
Moorhead further emphasized the importance of consistency in routine plays. "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," he remarked. This philosophy seems to resonate well with Smith, who continues to focus on the basics as he pushes himself to excel.
Optimism for the Future
The future looks bright for the Eagles' offense with Smith at the helm of the receiving corps. Moorhead, confident in his group of receivers, simply stated, "I have great receivers." Smith, having recently signed a contract extension worth $25 million per year, is poised to uphold that accolade.
Even with the accolades and financial rewards, Smith remains grounded in his desire to improve. "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," he said. It’s this mindset that signals even greater things to come from the already stellar wide receiver.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on DeVonta Smith to see how his offseason commitment translates onto the field. If training camp is any indication, fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.