Derek Barnett Is Still Doing Dumb Things At Eagles Camp
Derek Barnett has never lived up to being a first-round pick during his time in Philly. His rookie year showed promise with 5 sacks, as well as a key sack in the NFC Championship game vs the Vikings. And to his credit, he was the guy who fell on Tom Brady’s fumble in the Super Bowl. But along with a lack of production, his time here has been defined by stupid mistakes. Untimely penalties became a trend for him. late hits, illegal hits. It feels like he constantly was getting called for penalties. And sometimes those penalties turned a stop into a fresh set of downs for the other team.
He missed last year after he tore his ACL. And while his place on the roster is probably safe this year due to the large dead cap hit, he is still coming into camp with a ton to prove. Not just that he can be a productive player, but that he won’t keep doing dumb stuff on the field.
Unfortunately, he is already getting attention for the wrong reasons again. During practice, while they were running a WR Screen, Landon Dickerson blocked Derek Barnett into the ground. Barnett took issue with it and shoved Dickerson in the back. Teammates quickly broke the scuffle up.
Cheap shot from Derek Barnett on Landon Dickerson after a WR screen to Brown.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) August 9, 2023
Dickerson knocked Barnett down on a bit of a blind side block during play. Barnett retaliated, shoving Dickerson to the ground from behind.
These types of things happen in camp. And usually, it would not be worth noting except in passing. But when Derek Barnett is at the center of it, it is going to get some attention. He already has a reputation for doing stuff like this. Not just in practice, but in games, where it costs his team downs and yards. And you can’t help but think this is a sign that he will just get up to his same old antics should he actually get any playing time among a very deep rotation for Edge Rushers.