Eye on the Eagles

Credit Zach with a hustle play this afternoon, reporting on L.J. Smith's injury and then updating the story with news of Brian Westbrook's return to camp.

Being the old-school reporters that we are, Zach actually called me earlier today with the Westbrook news so I could get it up in a hurry. Which I didn't do because I was still cutting video, but it's the thought that counts, right? Even if the phones were cell phone and mine's a BlackBerry?

Hey, we try.

Anyway, today I present you with not one but TWO videos. First up, Rich Hofmann discusses the impact of Smith's injury and the other injured Eagles, including Tony Hunt; then he responds to Donovan McNabb's statement that he'd "love to play" in the pre-season opener at Baltimore on Monday night.

The second video is a Philly.com exclusive: a one-on-one interview with legendary Eagles radio broadcaster Merrill Reese. Believe it or not, I had never met Reese before today. In addition to having a great voice, he's a really nice guy.

We really are spoiled around here with our broadcasters, aren't we? We have Merrill Reese, Harry Kalas and Dan Baker (who does Drexel basketball in addition to his public address work), as well as Scott Graham, who does college hoops on TV. Now if only we could get Big Al Meltzer back behind the mic...

Anyway, you care about football. So click on the left photo to watch Rich Hofmann and Donovan McNabb, and on the right photo to watch Merrill Reese.

That's what Inquirer columnist Ashley Fox says about whether Donovan McNabb should play in the Eagles' preseason opener. Today's training camp video report features the latest news on McNabb, L.J. Smith and the punting duel between Saverio Rocca and Dirk Johnson.

Oh, and it also features Zach's Philly.com video debut. Click on the photo below to watch.

That's what Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said after the last full day of training camp at Lehigh. Brown, Jeremiah Trotter and the Daily News' Les Bowen wrap things up in today's video report. Click on the photo of Trotter below to watch.

So I'm back in Philadelphia now, and I've just finished putting together the last video report from Lehigh. This morning, Andy Reid announced who will and won't play at Baltimore tomorrow night, and I talked with the Inquirer's Bob Brookover about his reflections on this year's time at Lehigh.

Click on the photo below to watch.