PHILADELPHIA – Deshaun Watson threw three interceptions over two practice sessions with the Eagles, all of them to second-year safety Reed Blankenship.
Watson was just one of many stars dotting the NovaCare Complex practice fields on Monday and Tuesday and Blankenship certainly looked like he belonged with every one of them.
The rapid development of Blankenship from a lightly-regarded undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State last year to an entrenched starter and deference player this summer has arguably been the story of training camp.
“Right now, he got the most picks during camp and I’m kind of jealous because I’m trying to win,” the always talkative Darius Slay said. “But I don’t really get too much action like that, but dang, I’m jealous because I want to win, but happy for him.”
The “win” Slay was discussing was getting the most picks. While the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback still has time, it’s doubtful anyone is catching Blankenship, who seems to be in the zone with a savvy ability to digest things quickly and get to the right spot in coverage.
“He makes a lot of plays,” Slay said. “He’s been smart. As you can see, he was growing into it last year, playing at a high level, filling in for Chauncey (Gardner-Johnson), and still rotating a little bit. And learning from (Marcus) Epps last year and all that and carrying it over into this year. He’s been doing a great job, communicating, leading the way.”
Slay then jokingly brought up Buffalo star quarterback Josh Allen, who playfully pokes at white players playing in NFL secondaries as a ‘Milk Check’ or players that should be targeted.
The Eagles’ star cornerback explained QBs better press pause with the ‘Milk Check’ when it comes to Blankenship.
“Ain’t no Milk Check [with Reed],” Slay smiled. “He’s good milk. He doesn’t spoil.”
Blankenship has taken every first-team rep at one safety spot this summer. At the same time, there’s been a deep rotation next to him with veteran free-agent pickup Terrell Edmunds getting the most work followed by the resurgent K’Von Wallace, who was so physical against the Browns that he had Cleveland owner Jummy Haslam demanding retribution, Justin Evans and athletic but raw rookie Sydney Brown.
“What makes Reed special is his passion for the game,” Brown said. “… He puts in time on and off the field to better his craft. That’s why he’s a special player.
Brown has also identified a burning intensity in Blaneknship’s game, perhaps related to the chip on his shoulder for only getting $5,000 to sign as an UDFA despite starting for five years at MTSU.
“His intensity every single day. He brings it,” said Brown. “He wants to practice. He wants to play hard. Looking at what he’s done in such a short period of time is encouraging for sure. Reed is who he is because of what he does.
“He’s a product of the work he puts in.”
Wallace has also been impressed with Blankenship’s rapid development.
“Reed has done a tremendous job,” Wallace said. “He’s done nothing but prove that he belongs. I’m definitely excited to see what he does this season.
“We all are.”
The expiration date on this ‘Milk Check’ isn’t arriving anytime soon.
