Early Birds: Jordan Matthews' post-practice routine; Zach Ertz's blocking; Allen Barbre's value

1) After practice, Jordan Matthews heads to the JUGS machine to catch more passes. This is not unusual among wide receivers. But one drill he does there is unconventional. Matthews lies on his back, with his head closer to the JUGS machine than his legs. He catches the balls this way, and there's a specific reason.

He said there's no way to simulate jumping and catching the ball from an awkward angle, so lying down gets him used to catching the ball in an odd angle.

"So if I have a guy bodied up in the end zone, and then the ball's thrown and I'm diving to catch it, I'm used to seeing it from that angle," Matthews said. "When you're in the air, there's a lot of weird angles to catch the ball. A guy might be on your shoulder and you have to reach out one-handed, and just doing some of those things gets you used to those unorthodox catches, so it's not the first time you see it."

2) Zach Ertz played only 50 percent of the offensive snaps last season. For him to play more this season, the Eagles need to trust Ertz's blocking ability. Ertz spent the offseason working on his blocking, including spending time with retired offensive line coach Hudson Houck.

So how are the results?

"We're seeing it, certainly," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "I think he's a more efficient blocker. Obviously, his redeeming quality as a tight end is as a pass receiver. We all know that.  But what's important is what was maybe not considered a redeeming quality, you improve at, and we've seen those improvements that he's focused on in the offseason."

Shurmur said that Ertz is better with his fits and hitting his target on blocks. And during the play, he does a better job finishing the blocks. The test will come in preseason games, but Shurmur has seen that much in practice.

"Those are all things that happen on every play," Shurmur said.

3) The Eagles have three returning full-time starters on the offensive line with Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, and Lane Johnson. They must replace both guards, but only at right guard is there a competition. Allen Barbre appears to have left guard locked up entering the season.

"I think his redeeming quality is he's very sturdy and he's very physical," Shurmur said. "If he gets his hands on you, I think he's certainly got the advantage.  As he's getting used to playing next to [Peters], you know, you're starting to see the camaraderie there where they're working well together."

Most of the pass rush is coming around the edge, but Shurmur said the Eagles need a "big, sturdy" guy who can be firm when the quarterback steps up into the pocket. This is in addition to athleticism, a requirement for offensive linemen in the Eagles' system.

"I think it goes without saying that our guys are athletic," Shurmur said. "So when I say he's big and sturdy, that's an add‑on to that. …He's able to block the line of scrimmage, and then when we combo off to the second level, he's able to deal with guys that are a little bit more athletic than maybe he would be."

zberman@phillynews.com

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