Childbirth is exactly like football practice, according to John and Jim Harbaugh

The proximity of the two teams, and Harbaugh’s relationship with Lurie from his time as an Eagles coach makes future practices an attractive possibility.

And though the practices won’t impact the preseason game, the Ravens’ injury situation may.

At this point in Training Camp, the Eagles’ defense has a pretty good sense of what to expect from the offense – from both a personnel and situational standpoint. While practice still helps players prepare for the season, it is certainly hard to assess one’s improvements when you know what’s coming at you. Far from the raucous fight scenes that emerged at other joint practices around the league, the Ravens and Eagles kept it largely professional this week.

And, because of his lack of familiarity with the process (of actually giving birth, not training camp), he sought out a woman-sports-reporter-type-person to confirm his comparison. “But, if I can take an inside release and my corner is playing outside of me, there’s different things you can do”, Austin said.

But Eagles coach Chip Kelly has his own, less-hyped Baltimore connection.

With the Ravens in town, Eagles players had to adjust to their style of play, consisting of a slower pace and less tempo.

Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith has 915 career receptions for 13,262 yards and 73 touchdowns in his first 14 NFL seasons. I don’t know the number on it and I wouldn’t put a number on it so obviously you’re out here practicing, out here working but you definitely want to get a touch or two here in the preseason. The 36-year-old veteran made a few nice plays throughout the week, but Coach Davis credits the Eagles’ young corners with holding their own. [They] treated us really well. “It’s going to be pretty fun”. “I think a lot of the coaches I had the opportunity to work with are still there”.

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Nonetheless, this year’s schedule will present a new set of challenges for Baltimore as they’ll be struck by some tough match ups right out the gate, starting their season on the road against the Denver Broncos.