By Zach Berman
Andy Reid said at this point in training camp, the players start to become tired again and the fatigue catches up. But the Eagles had a solid practice. It was not as long as the past three days, but it was physical and there weren't as many glaring problems as normal during this time of training camp. Plus, the Eagles have avoided any major injuries, which is crucial for a team that always seems to have a major injury.
Here are some observations, notes and tidbits from the Saturday morning practice:
The new injury to report is with Shawn Andrews, who has an ankle strain and is day-to-day. Lito Sheppard and Brian Dawkins were both out again. So were Montae Reagor and Ian Scott.
The top play was defensive tackle Jeremy Clark scooping up a Nate Ilaoa fumble at the goalline and taking it the distance for the score. Like Mike Patterson last season against the 49ers, Clark was tired at the end.
The Eagles' defense was terrific on the goalline the whole day. The problem when that happens at training camp is they play against their own offense, so it might say something about the offense, too. But Jeremiah Trotter energized a group that forbid the offense from getting into the endzone expect for a few chances.
In passing situations, the Eagles were trying out different packages where they had defensive ends play upright instead of in a three-point stance. Juqua Thomas and Jerome McDougle both were playing upright. Jevon Kearse has played this "joker" role in the past.
Donovan McNabb is rolling out effectively during camp. He rolled out on a goalline passing play and hit Reggie Brown with a fade in the back corner of the endzone. McNabb, by the way, was wearing his knee brace.
Kelly Holcomb puts the ball in the right spots. He's a veteran and he most likely won't be on the team during the season, but he can help out teams around the NFL. He completed a pass up the middle today that had to be in one exact spot for a play to be made, and Holcomb put it there.
There was a slight scare when Correll Buckhalter made a nice run around the corner in running drills but landed funny. He came up limping and considering his knee injuries in the past, there was a moment of concern. As it turned out, he was hit in the crotch.
Pat McCoy, a second-year offensive tackle who made the team last season as a rookie free agent, is an impressive prospect. He made a nice block today as the pocket collapsed and Donovan McNabb was about to be sacked. The block allowed McNabb to continue scanning the pocket and found Brian Westbrook in the flat.
It was Alumni Day at training camp. Former defensive end Mike Mamula was along the sideline. He spotted former Eagles linebacker Mike Caldwell, an intern coach at training camp, and the two embraced.
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Note: I'll be back tonight for a wrap and a "Meet the Eagles" feature. The special teams practice in the afternoon is the same as it will be throughout the week, so I'll leave the observations from the contact drill sup. The special teams practice is more for working on coverages and protections than any scrimmage-like situation.
Comments (1)
I am very pleased at the progress of the Eagles camp. Hoping for 11-5. Should be very attainable.
Posted by Vic Cuvo | August 5, 2007 9:45 AM
Posted on August 5, 2007 09:45