Eye on the Eagles

By Zach Berman

Thanks for all the readers who sent questions. For those that needed a coaches' answer, I went through the tape and found the answers. Please send any additional questions to zberman@phillynews.com or in the comment box below.

Q: I haven't seen much discussion regarding special teams. How is Bloom
looking - has he impressed or is he no better than last years' returners? -- Larry
A: Thanks for the question, Larry. I will say this about Bloom and any return question -- there's no way of knowing until the preseason. The special teams are not part of live drills for the Eagles, so I haven't seen Bloom -- or any returner -- get hit in the return game. I can say Bloom is fast and agile, although that you likely knew. In terms of whether he's better than last year, the Eagles should hope so because they needed an upgrade in that area.

Q: Who is in the mix right now on kickoffs? It seems to me Moats needs to win this job to remain on the roster as a fourth RB. - Aaron
A: Thanks for the questions, Aaron. When we last spoke with Rory Segrest, the special teams coordinator, this was his answer about who is in the mix at kickoff returns:

“Kick returns, we’ve got Bloom working with the first unit now. We’ve also got [RB Correll] Buckhalter back there. He looks real good. He’s a big, strong runner for us back there; [RB] Ryan Moats, same thing. They can get back there and do a great job, and again, Barksdale and J.J. Outlaw, as well.”

The Eagles have also incorporated Greg Lewis into that mix.

Regarding Moats, there are many different ways the roster could shake out. Moats could conceivably make the team as a running back if the Eagles kept four halfbacks and one fullback. Every year, there are certain areas that the Eagles stay heavy on. That will be interesting. There's also the possibility that Moats could be dealt -- as Bob Brookover pointed out in a recent article -- considering Moats has value around the league.

Q: Is Dawkins back today or is Mikell still filling? How about Lito Sheppard? How does LJ look coming along? -- Anonymous
A: Thanks for the question. Brian Dawkins didn't return today. A matter of fact, he hasn't played since the first practice of training camp. He missed mini-camps for personal reasons. So Dawkins hasn't played too much football this off-season. After all these years, he might not need it, but it would be good for Dawkins and the Eagles if that Achilles heals soon.

Lito dressed yesterday but tweaked his injured oblique so the Eagles held him today. He came out to run in the afternoon.

L.J. Smith was sore after yesterday's practice, the first practice that he participated in contact drills. He sat out today. He's looked fine moving and catching the football, but it's important for him to hit and get hit in order to play effective.

Q: How does Brodrick Bunkley look? I have read and heard all the "he looks like a new person" stuff, but I want to know how he is actually playing. I understand he is
working hard now, but is he dominating? Does he look like a [No. 14] pick should? Or does he just look like he will "hold his own" ala Mike Patterson? -- Alex

A: Thanks for the question, Alex. What you’ve read and heard about Bunkley is true – he’s more fit and he’s been playing well. That’s not saying too much, though, because he was out of shape and unproductive last season. Bunkley is doing what Eagles fans would have hoped for him to do. He’s penetrating the line of scrimmage and clogging the middle.

But I warn you – this is another example where we must wait for the preseason. The reason is Bunkley and the No. 1 defense seldom plays against the No. 1 offense. Bunkley is often pitted against an inferior offensive line than one he’d face in games. Bunkley is playing well and the reports are true, but he has to show he can do against starting-caliber offensive lines in game and not just backup offensive linemen in training camp.