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Footballguy
Eagles Update |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After four days of hitting at Eagles camp, the bodies are starting to fall. Yet the most significant news of the first week is that one of those bodies isn't Donovan McNabb's.
After being hampered last season by a sports hernia that finally caused him to miss the final seven games, the biggest question entering what has been a furnace at Lehigh was whether McNabb could withstand the grind of camp.
Granted, quarterbacks don't take a beating in camp, but McNabb nonetheless is pleased with his physical progress. He said yesterday that he wasn't feeling any soreness, which after last year represents a major upgrade.
"It's a tough evaluation, because I haven't had the pads on in a while, and being out here in training camp you know you're going to get a little soreness in the body, period," McNabb said after yesterday morning's workout. "So, in that, as far as the injury and everything else is concerned, everything else is fine."
The biggest cheers come when McNabb scrambles from the pocket and runs. He has shown his usual speed and ability to escape.
Play of the day
Eagles safety Brian Dawkins was near the line of scrimmage on a blitz when he not only jumped to deflect a pass from Jeff Garcia, he also caught it, just a few feet away from the Eagles quarterback. Dawkins then returned the interception 40 yards for a score.
Still wowing them
Rookie Hank Baskett has become a crowd favorite with an array of spectacular receptions. Yesterday's gem was a 15-yard catch of an underthrown pass from McNabb in which Baskett had to reach back to make the difficult play.
Quote of the day
Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter has been held out of contact drills after missing the last two seasons with a torn tendon in his right knee. If it were up to Buckhalter, he would be right in the middle of the action. "I just want to punish somebody," he said. "I envision myself running and making plays and having contact."
Hit of the day
Rookie linebacker Omar Gaither shed a block and leveled Brian Westbrook for a 2-yard loss on a running play. Gaither has shown great athletic ability.
Unanswered questions
Should the Eagles pursue unhappy Oakland Raiders receiver Jerry Porter? Will this be the year Sheldon Brown earns his first Pro Bowl berth? Are the players counting the days until Aug. 16, when camp ends?
With style
Westbrook literally flipped over the defensive line to score on a 2-yard run when the team was working on its goal-line offense.
Rain delay
For the first time at this camp, a practice was interrupted by rain. After about 10 minutes of the afternoon special-teams workout, the rain forced the session indoors. That broke a streak of 13 consecutive dry practices.
Look ahead
The Eagles will practice at 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. today. Running backs, tight ends, linebackers and kickers will be in the autograph tent after the morning practice. Offensive linemen will appear in the tent after the afternoon practice.
Marc Narducci
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After four days of hitting at Eagles camp, the bodies are starting to fall. Yet the most significant news of the first week is that one of those bodies isn't Donovan McNabb's.
After being hampered last season by a sports hernia that finally caused him to miss the final seven games, the biggest question entering what has been a furnace at Lehigh was whether McNabb could withstand the grind of camp.
Granted, quarterbacks don't take a beating in camp, but McNabb nonetheless is pleased with his physical progress. He said yesterday that he wasn't feeling any soreness, which after last year represents a major upgrade.
"It's a tough evaluation, because I haven't had the pads on in a while, and being out here in training camp you know you're going to get a little soreness in the body, period," McNabb said after yesterday morning's workout. "So, in that, as far as the injury and everything else is concerned, everything else is fine."
The biggest cheers come when McNabb scrambles from the pocket and runs. He has shown his usual speed and ability to escape.
Play of the day
Eagles safety Brian Dawkins was near the line of scrimmage on a blitz when he not only jumped to deflect a pass from Jeff Garcia, he also caught it, just a few feet away from the Eagles quarterback. Dawkins then returned the interception 40 yards for a score.
Still wowing them
Rookie Hank Baskett has become a crowd favorite with an array of spectacular receptions. Yesterday's gem was a 15-yard catch of an underthrown pass from McNabb in which Baskett had to reach back to make the difficult play.
Quote of the day
Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter has been held out of contact drills after missing the last two seasons with a torn tendon in his right knee. If it were up to Buckhalter, he would be right in the middle of the action. "I just want to punish somebody," he said. "I envision myself running and making plays and having contact."
Hit of the day
Rookie linebacker Omar Gaither shed a block and leveled Brian Westbrook for a 2-yard loss on a running play. Gaither has shown great athletic ability.
Unanswered questions
Should the Eagles pursue unhappy Oakland Raiders receiver Jerry Porter? Will this be the year Sheldon Brown earns his first Pro Bowl berth? Are the players counting the days until Aug. 16, when camp ends?
With style
Westbrook literally flipped over the defensive line to score on a 2-yard run when the team was working on its goal-line offense.
Rain delay
For the first time at this camp, a practice was interrupted by rain. After about 10 minutes of the afternoon special-teams workout, the rain forced the session indoors. That broke a streak of 13 consecutive dry practices.
Look ahead
The Eagles will practice at 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. today. Running backs, tight ends, linebackers and kickers will be in the autograph tent after the morning practice. Offensive linemen will appear in the tent after the afternoon practice.
Marc Narducci
