With Sam Bradford in, the Eagles' new quarterback stood in the pocket and threw a bomb down the field. On the other end was tight end Zach Ertz, who hauled in the long pass and kept going for the touchdown.
Bradford and Ertz connecting on the field has been a common sight for those watching the Eagles' OTAs the past few weeks. Although Bradford has only been taking a handful of reps with the team, and isn't yet taking part in 11-on-11 drills as he recovers from a torn ACL, the chemistry he is developing with Ertz is clear.
"He is a great tight end," Bradford said of Ertz. "Obviously he is really athletic. He gives us the ability to stretch the field and make some (big plays) down the field."
"Not only does he have a strong arm, but he is very, very accurate. He can put the ball wherever he wants to," Ertz said. "Being a taller guy, a more athletic guy, he likes to put the ball up high where I can go up and get the ball. He is able to make all the throws in the book."
Ertz was the #13 TE in both standard and PPR formats despite only playing half of the Eagles’ snaps in his second year. Ertz played mostly (73%) on passing downs, so if his playing time is going to increase, a majority of the additional snaps are likely to come in run formations. Still, there’s upside with Ertz if he begins to see starter’s snaps. The Eagles lost their leading receiver -- first DeSean Jackson and then Jeremy Maclin -- in back-to-back seasons, so there will be opportunity from a targets standpoint. Budding chemistry with his quarterback can only help.
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