# Eagles' toe-drag catches blend talent and fundamentals

> DeVonta Smith's sideline catches show how consistent practice builds game-winning skills
- Title: Eagles' toe-drag catches blend talent and fundamentals
- Summary: DeVonta Smith's sideline catches show how consistent practice builds game-winning skills Eagles' catch fundamentals, drilled through daily practice, enable…
- Keywords: eagles, devonta smith, darius cooper, nfl, catch circuit, sideline catches, toe drag, fundamentals, nick siriani, eagles training, eagles defense, eagles offense
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/film-review-eagles-toe-drag-sideline-catches-are-combination-talent-and-persistent-fundamentals-devonta-smith
- Published: 2026-09-21T16:41:23.146+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: eagles, devonta smith, darius cooper, nfl, catch circuit, sideline catches, toe drag, fundamentals, nick siriani, eagles training, eagles defense, eagles offense
## What is a toe-drag catch?
DeVonta Smith makes catches where he drags one foot into bounds while still holding the ball.

> Easy pitch and catch
## 2016 Washington game lesson
Carson Wentz threw a perfect pass to Jordan Matthews, but Matthews only got one foot in bounds, leading to an incomplete pass and a five-point loss.
## Sunday's toe-drag catches
Eagles receivers made six toe-drag catches against the Titans, including a game-winning touchdown by Darius Cooper.
## Daily catch circuit practice
Eagles players practice sideline catches daily through a catch circuit that includes foot dragging and contested catches.
## Dontayvion Wicks on fundamentals
Wicks says the Eagles work catch fundamentals more than other teams, with muscle memory helping players succeed in critical moments.

> We do a lot of sideline catches. I feel like we work the fundamentals a lot here
## DeVonta Smith's commitment
Smith has worked the catch circuit more than any receiver, showing how muscle memory develops through consistent practice.

> We work on it every day
## Darius Cooper's toe drag
Cooper dragged his foot into bounds for a game-winning touchdown, demonstrating the fundamentals drilled during practice.

> You see a lot of guys that go on the sideline and they try to tap their feet
## Coach Nick Sirianni on fundamentals
Sirianni emphasizes that fundamentals are crucial for players to succeed in critical game situations, even when they don't come up often.

> You work them anyway and you put yourself in those positions anyway
## Why fundamentals matter
The Eagles' catch fundamentals were likely the difference between winning and losing the game against Washington in 2016.
## Team-wide practice
The Eagles' catch circuit involves multiple stations where players practice different aspects of catching the ball, including foot dragging.
## Fundamentals in action
Players like Cooper and Smith consistently apply the fundamentals, turning small practices into game-winning plays.
## Coach's role in fundamentals
Coaches like Nick Sirianni emphasize that fundamentals are the foundation for success, even when they don't come up in every game.
## Game-winning impact
The Eagles' consistent practice of catch fundamentals helped them secure a win against the Titans, avoiding a repeat of the 2016 Washington loss.
## Key takeaway

Eagles' catch fundamentals, drilled through daily practice, enable players to make critical touchdown catches