Practice 9 Observations (Eye on the Eagles)

By Zach Berman

The Eagles just finished their most physical practice of training camp. They practiced for about two and a half hours. Here are some observations, notes and tidbits:

Brian Dawkins didn't practice. Neither did Lito Sheppard, Montae Reagor nor Bill Sampy. Dawkins was sidelined with Achilles tendonitis. The other three players were out with previously reported injuries.

The first fight of training camp happened between offensive guard Max Jean-Gilles and defensive end Trent Cole. They started the tussle during the live team drills.

Speaking of Jean-Gilles, he's been playing well this camp. He was very active today, especially on rushing plays downfield. That's likely because he's slimmer. When I spoke with him yesterday, he said he dropped 22 pounds. Jean-Gilles was a productive college player at Georgia and he's simply huge for a guard. He's still big, but now that he's lighter, he'll be able to pull more. The weight loss is akin to Shawn Andrews' last season.

The loudest ovation of the day came when McNabb scrambled downfield in the live team drills. This was the first time McNabb tucked the ball away and ran downfield.

There were many "sacks" in the morning practice. I put sacks in quotation marks because the quarterback is not allowed to be hit, but the play is whistled over with a sack.

On the play McNabb scrambled, Jeremiah Trotter shouted "sack" from the sideline.

Cornerback Joselio Hanson laid a huge hit on receiver Michael Gasperson as Gasperson went up for the catch. The referees called pass interference on Hanson.

Hanson has been playing out of the dime spot, which is likely where he'll be if he ends up on the team.

Stewart Bradley is taking most of his reps at middle linebacker. We reported on this earlier in the week, but it's a surprise he's doing it with the veterans at camp. He looks athletic out on the field, but he's still learning the position.

Dustin Fox played some tough defense on Hank Baskett in the endzone on a deep pass from McNabb. Credit Fox, although he's been a fringe NFL player throughout his career. Baskett should be able to go up and out-jump Fox for the football.

The Eagles are running the football with Thomas Tapeh more often than they did the last training camp. Remember, Tapeh was a running back at Minnesota and last year was his first season back from a hip injury. Now that he's fully recovered, the Eagles might be thinking of using Tapeh in the running game.

Ryan Moats was used on kickoff returns today. That might be Moats' attempt to make the roster, because Tony Hunt is getting reps over Moats at running back.

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Check back for today's installment of "Meet the Eagles," practice 10 observations and more.

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Eye on the Eagles

Practice 9 Observations

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