DeVonta Smith's Ambitious 2023 Campaign Highlighted by Stellar Training Camp Performance
The Philadelphia Eagles have found a gem in DeVonta Smith, the standout wide receiver who continues to impress entering his fourth NFL season. Smith, who has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, has been a beacon of consistency and excellence, attributes that have shone brightly during the Eagles' training camp this year.
Under the guidance of position coach Aaron Moorhead, Smith has demonstrated remarkable development in his craft. “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 praised.
The accolades don't come lightly, as Smith's performance on the practice field has been nothing short of spectacular. The wide receiver has consistently made catches in all seven practices, a crucial indicator of his reliability and skill. Smith’s progression can also be attributed to his focus on improving his football IQ and situational awareness, aspects that he believes are essential for his growth. “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,” said Smith.
The Eagles' expectations of Smith are buoyed by more than just his on-field performance. His dedication to routine and details has not gone unnoticed by his coaches. Moorhead emphasized the importance of these elements, mentioning, "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.”
As the Eagles' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards in his first three seasons with 240 receptions and 3,178 yards, Smith's statistics only tell part of the story. His commitment to excellence and his standards are particularly noteworthy. “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 highlighted.
Smith's contract extension, worth $25 million per year, serves as a testament to his value to the team and his exceptional performance level. Despite his already prodigious achievements, Smith remains grounded and focused on improvement. “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 said, underscoring Smith’s drive to refine his techniques continually.
Looking ahead, the Eagles and Smith are both optimistic but realistic about the future. With a strong foundation in place, Smith's emphasis on the basics as well as his ability to adapt to new situations will be crucial as he aims to add more exceptional numbers to his already impressive career. Smith himself embodies a philosophy of perpetual growth, stating, “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.”
Aaron Moorhead encapsulates the bright outlook for the wide receivers under his tutelage when he says, “I have great receivers.” For DeVonta Smith, the 2023 season is another chapter in a career that appears to be only growing more impressive with each passing year.