PHILADELPHIA - Training camp picks don’t show up in the official record, but for A.J. Epenesa and Michael Carter, the interceptions they grabbed this week carried real weight.
Both plays came on different days of practice, and both gave the two Eagles defenders a clear sign they’re starting to settle into what the team is asking them to do. For each player, it was less about the takeaway itself and more about proof that the work is beginning to click.
Epenesa’s moment came on day 2 of camp last week, when he dropped into coverage in Vic Fangio’s defense and ended up in exactly the right place. Danny Gray got his hands on the ball, but Epenesa dove low and came away with the interception.
“Being in the right spot, sometimes they just fall to you,” said Epenesa after Tuesday’s practice, the longest session yet of training camp. “That’s my biggest challenge. With the limited experience that I have, being where I’m supposed to be, being dependable, that’s all I can really think about.”
He said the play was another reminder that his hands are still a strength.
“I’ve always been confident in my hands,” he said. “We work on it every day, so I am working on it, but you have to believe in them to catch it.”
For Epenesa, who spent six seasons with the Buffalo Bills and had four interceptions there, the challenge is different now. He’s learning how to play in coverage, a new responsibility for the seven-year veteran.
“This is definitely something new. Going into Year 7, I don’t know how many guys change systems like this so late in their career, but it’s just another challenge, another hurdle; I’m confident I can overcome,” said Epenesa, who turns 28 next month.
Carter’s interception on Tuesday was a different kind of play, but the same kind of message. He picked off a pass meant for Hollywood Brown, bobbled it on the way down, and still managed to secure it while landing on his back.
“I was in the post, middle of the field, and kind of just patrolling, then I saw my threats over here (using his hands to signal to his right), took a peek at the quarterback and saw him load up,” said Carter. “I took off running, kind of found my angle, and tracked the ball from there.
It was about controlling it and hanging on. It bounced up a little bit, and the receiver tried to knock it away, but I was able to pull it away.”
Carter has had plenty to adjust to since moving from slot corner, where he played well enough over four seasons with the New York Jets to earn a big contract extension. He said angles, backpedals and communication are all part of the transition he’s still working through.
He played the position at Duke before the Jets drafted him in 20201. He came to Philadelphia at last year’s trade deadline and agreed to restructure his contract to return this season.
“I wanted to stay a part of (this),” he said. “Then I think just being with (DB coach) Joe (Kasper), being with Vic, and being in this system, learning it from guys like Drew (Mukuba) and Marcus (Epps), and Coop (DeJean).
Even when I got here, those guys wouldn’t let me fail. I felt like we could all do something special together.”
Epenesa’s path to Philadelphia was different. He arrived as a late free-agent signing after Joe Tryon-Shoyinka retired shortly after the Eagles brought him in.
“When a team like Philly called me, I was really excited because they’re a really good team,” he said. "I felt like I had a chance to compete for a spot and get better while I was here at camp. I think those are two really big things for me.”
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