By Zach Berman
It is the end of the first day of hitting and there are no major injuries.
The one of note is Lito Sheppard, who left the morning practice with back spasms and didn't return in the afternoon.
As for the afternoon practice, here are some observations, notes and tidbits.
Kevin Curtis caught a 45-yard pass down the left sideline, but he was stripped by free safety Brian Dawkins after he made the catch.
Donovan McNabb was throwing a few balls off his back foot and underthrew receivers twice. Perhaps throwing off his back foot was intentional, although it might have been McNabb avoiding pressure on his plant leg, which is the leg with the brace.
Speaking of McNabb and his knee, he's rolling out with no problem. This should be good news for Eagles fans, or maybe it should be no news at all considering it's been the case throughout camp. McNabb even insists it was the case during the off-season.
Brian Dawkins hasn't aged. He's all over the field and continues to help out in coverage. His play on Curtis was impressive.
Will James was playing on the left side in the absence of Sheppard. Sheldon Brown was on the right side. This might be a situation similar to when the Eagles used Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor and Al Harris together earlier in the decade.
Rookie free agent tackle/guard Jonathan Palmer took reps with at right tackle with the second team. That spot was expected to be Pat McCoy. It might have just been a one-time, change-of-pace move, but it's something to keep an eye on tomorrow.
The third-team offensive line has struggled. Granted, they're almost all rookie free agents. But if they play like this in the preseason, Kevin Kolb might get hurt.
Jeremy Bloom looks like the undisputed leader at the return spots at this point. There hasn't been anyone else back there receiving significant reps besides J.J. Outlaw and Rashad Barksdale.
It's unlikely Andy Reid would put Brian Westbrook or Lito Sheppard back there consistently, so unless the Eagles make a move or Bloom has a poor preseason, he's the likely returner.
Jason Davis continues to receive significant work. It's too early to tell whether this will have any significance on Thomas Tapeh, although it's something to watch.
Kelly Holcomb can still play. He puts the ball in good spots and makes the throws he needs to make. It'll be interesting to see whether he makes it out of training camp an Eagle, or if a quarterback-hungry team offers the Eagles a pick.
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Today's off-the-field feature will come tonight because Bob Brookover and Patrick Carney both blogged in the afternoon. The feature will be with Sheldon Brown, so check back tonight.
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