Practice 12 Observations (Eye on the Eagles)

Note: This blog post has been updated. See the final note of the Practice 13 observations for details.

This was without question the most crowded practice of training camp. Cars were lined up along the road outside the facility an hour after practice started. The attendance number I received was 17,941.

Credit Eagles fans for coming out on a weekday with the temperature in the 90s to watch a practice.

Here are some observations, notes and tidbits of what happened on the football field:

In addition to the previous reported injuries, L.J. Smith did not practice. This was related to his recovery of the sports hernia. Sheldon Brown was poked in an eye and left practice with an eye contusion.

Donovan McNabb had his brace back on. That's the requisite McNabb knee update for the morning practice.

Ryan Moats had a terrific run in the live drills but fumbled the ball at the end. The run was a reflection of Moats' two years with the Eagles -- flashes of potential, but head-scratching plays, too.

Kevin Curtis had a very good practice. He pulled down perhaps the catch of the day from Donovan McNabb and is increasingly becoming comfortable within the offense.

Two days, two fights for Max Jean-Gilles. Jean-Gilles got tangled up with a defensive tackle during linemen drills. The tackle was either Brodrick Bunkley or LaJuan Ramsey. It was happening on a different part of the field and by the team the media turned around, both players were tangled up.

Kevin Kolb put nice touch on a pass in live drills that would have been a touchdown had Jermaine Jamison not dropped it. Kolb is a quick learner. He's making throws that he didn't make when practice started.

Brodrick Bunkley's weight loss is evident. He is getting to the quarterback quicker and had a few plays today that would have resulted in sacks had the quarterback not worn a red jersey.

A Dallas Cowboys fan was in attendance, which was evidenced by the Eagles fans serenading him with a "Dallas (stinks)!" chant. The players turned around in amusement -- especially Kolb, who grew up a Cowboys fans.

The tight end battle continues. Now that Matt Schobel is in camp, he's fighting off Brent Celek and Lee Vickers. All made catches this morning. There continues to be a fight for Smith's backup job. Schobel has the experience, Vickers has the size and Celek was a draft pick with potential. This will be one of the more interesting camp battles.

Quentin Mikell continues to be around the ball. Mikell is in a similar situation to Rod Hood last season, where he could be a starter on other teams but he has a backup role with the Eagles. He's a major piece on special teams, too. He's a vital -- albeit seldom mentioned -- part of the Eagles.

Bill Sampy and Dedrick Roper are hurting themselves by being hurt. If the coaches can't see them, they'll have trouble keeping them. They'll have to get back on the field soon in order to continue their push to make the team.

Comments (2)

Dan:

Quintin Mikell - Re-signed to a four-year contract

Posted by Dan | August 3, 2007 4:44 PM

Posted on August 3, 2007 16:44

Ryan:

Unless Mikell signed a one year deal this off season he will be with the Eagles for awhile. For your sake, I hope I am wrong. If not, find another profession.

Posted by Ryan | August 3, 2007 4:47 PM

Posted on August 3, 2007 16:47

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Eye on the Eagles

Practice 12 Observations

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