PHILADELPHIA – Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra was completing a catch during Tuesday’s training camp practice at the NovaCare Complex, getting his two feet down—a process he had executed several times this summer.
What he didn’t expect was safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson appearing out of nowhere, stepping into his path and acting like a wall, which sent Calcaterra to the ground. Gardner-Johnson celebrated the hit, keeping himself energized and hoping to motivate the rest of his defensive teammates.
Gardner-Johnson’s presence in the secondary should not only help improve a unit that finished 31st in pass defense (252.7 yards per game), but the intangibles he brings could propel the group to a higher finish this season, starting with the opener against the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil.
Earlier in training camp, Gardner-Johnson said he didn’t mind injecting attitude, holding his teammates accountable, and helping to raise their level of play.
“I’m a winner, regardless of what you pull up stat-wise or rating-wise,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I’m always on the winning side of football. Regardless of the NFC Championship Game, a playoff game, or a division playoff game, when you look at the course of my career, I’m going to bring a winning attitude. My teammates understand that I will not settle for less. If we can’t win, what are we here for?”
Reed Blankenship, who played alongside Gardner-Johnson during his rookie season in 2022, said he saw Gardner-Johnson’s emotion on the field and the sideline up close, and he welcomes playing with him again.
“Obviously, we saw that a lot in 2022, and it brings a bit of swag to the defense,” Blankenship said. “I never really say a whole lot, but I’m like, ‘Man, I need to start saying some stuff,’ but I’ve told him before in the locker room that he can be the vocal guy and I have his back with everything. I love seeing that he’s a competitor, and everybody knows that, and we feed off of it.”
Gardner-Johnson’s presence has also led to more competitive practices. After a team session during Tuesday’s practice, in which the defense made a stop against the first-team offense, Gardner-Johnson began celebrating and trash-talking the offense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts responded, walking over to the defensive sideline, where the two exchanged words before showing respect and watching the reserves.
Hits like the one Gardner-Johnson delivered have been emulated by others, such as linebacker Nakobe Dean, who laid a similar hit on a receiver. Although these hits showcase the attitude and toughness that were sometimes lacking last season, especially in the final six games, Blankenship said it’s not about sending a message but about competing.
“We want to compete,” Blankenship said. “That’s what (head coach Nick) Sirianni has been preaching ever since he got here, and I’ve heard it since I’ve been here. It’s all about competing. That’s how we’re going to make each other better. We’re fortunate enough to go against one of the best offenses in the league. You don’t get to do that every day, so we’re having fun with it.”
Schematically, a lot has been made about Gardner-Johnson’s ability to create turnovers—he has recorded seven interceptions in the last 15 games. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to show quarterbacks that both safeties will be deep, but they often shift as late as possible before the snap.
If Blankenship is used more as a safety covering either half or a third of the field, it will allow Gardner-Johnson to operate closer to the line of scrimmage. If he plays zone underneath, he can keep his eyes on the quarterback while reading the developing routes in front of him, which is crucial if he wants to jump a route with help covering a receiver.
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