DeVonta Smith, the Philadelphia Eagles' standout wide receiver, continues to set the bar high as he enters his fourth NFL season. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Smith has been a key player for the Eagles, a team seeking to capitalize on his exceptional abilities.
Training camp has been a showcase for Smith’s talents, consistently making catches during the team's seven practices. Aaron Moorhead, Smith's position coach, couldn't be more impressed. "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. This insight speaks volumes about Smith’s trajectory and his ever-growing prowess at the position.
Commitment to Improvement
Smith’s drive to improve is one of his most notable characteristics. He has expressed a desire to enhance his football IQ and situational awareness. "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 explained. This focus on cognitive growth complements his physical talents on the field.
Smith has set high standards for himself, adhering to a mindset that prioritizes the team's success over individual accolades. Whether the ball comes to him or not, he strives to execute his role flawlessly. "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.
Attention to Detail
Moorhead appreciates Smith’s meticulous approach to his game, especially how he tackles routine plays. As the coach reflected, "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."
This dedication to routine and detail has paid off handsomely. Smith has amassed an impressive 240 receptions and 3,178 receiving yards in his first three seasons, setting a new standard in Eagles history. His performance on the field coupled with his work ethic off it secured him a lucrative contract extension worth $25 million per year.
Stepping Up in Camp
The training camp further highlighted Smith's consistency and mastery. Moorhead noted, "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."
Smith’s relentless pursuit of perfection is a core aspect of his approach to football. "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 stated, underlining his commitment to continually refining his skill set.
As the Eagles gear up for another competitive season, Smith's growth and confidence bring a much-needed edge to the team. Moorhead also reaffirmed his belief in Smith and his receiving corps, casually noting, "I have great receivers."
As Smith continues to hone both his physical and mental aspects of the game, Eagles fans can look forward to more standout performances from their star receiver. His high standards, commitment to improvement, and attention to detail make him not just a valuable asset to the Eagles, but a player with the potential to leave an indelible mark on the NFL.