Peter King Postcard: Eagles Training Camp

[JimmyConway]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/07/30/eagles.postcard/index.html

Setting the Scene

On the hilly (no, mountainous) campus of Lehigh University, an hour north of Philly in Bethlehem, Pa., for Eagles camp. It's a broiler here, 90 degrees with what feels like 95 percent humidity for the afternoon practice of a two-a-day deal. It was so oppressive Tuesday morning, though slightly cooler, that disoriented defensive end Chris Clemons was whisked off in an ambulance after the workout with what appeared to be dehydration. (He returned to camp Tuesday night, fine.)

This is always a good spot to gauge fan reaction in what's always an enthusiastic, bleachers-filled environment. "Love you Brian!'' one fan yelled to Brian Westbrook this morning after he caught a long ball from Donovan McNabb. Followed by "Can I have your autograph?!''

Three observations

1. Donovan McNabb is throwing the ball well and looks like he's not remotely ready to cede his spot to Kevin Kolb. Kolb, the second-round quarterback pick from Houston last year, worked with the second group this morning, as he has been doing; Andy Reid isn't handing him the starting job, but because he knows A.J. Feeley is a competent backup, he wants to give Kolb the bulk of the work with the twos.

McNabb is entrenched as the starter here and will not be challenged for the starting job unless he gets hurt again, which, of course, is always possible. This is his 10th season. He turns 32 this year. He has missed two, six, seven, one, zero, and six games due to injury in the past six seasons, so it's no lock he'll make it through 16 games.

2. Shawn Andrews is AWOL. Andrews, one of the best guards in football, is at home in Little Rock, Ark., and his absence is worrying the Eagles, who are fining him $15,000 a day. This is not a contract holdout, I've been assured. It has to do with personal problems and Andrews' mental state, I'm told.

In his absence, backup Max Jean-Gilles is getting all the work with the first team offensive line. The Eagles don't seem concerned about Andrews playing the season, but when he'll be back has cast a small pall over camp every day. "Shawn will be back,'' McNabb said today. "We've been playing phone tag, missing each other, but [he left me a message and] assured me things will be fine and he'll be back.''

3. The Eagles are still in search of a defensive end to be a force opposite Trent Cole. Bad day for that today. Bright young prospect Victor Abiamiri, the second-year end from Notre Dame, had wrist surgery and the team said he likely would be out four months. Sounds like an IR case to me. And with Clemons getting carted off, who knows if he'll be set back. Clemons was a situational rusher in Oakland mostly, and Philly needs him to step up to more of a regular presence.

New Face, New Place

Running back Lorenzo Booker. What's not to like about Booker, acquired from Miami in the offseason? He just turned 24. He averaged 4.5 yards per rush, and caught 28 balls in only seven games of part-time play in Miami last year. He has looked strong and decisive in his cuts here. The Eagles just might have caught the kind of Ryan Grant lightning-in-a-bottle with Booker. Look for him to beat out Correll Buckhalter for the backup running back job and become the kind of trusted change-of-pace back that could give Westbrook a blow for a series or two a game.

Looking at the Schedule

With the four teams from the AFC North providing the cross-conference competition this year, the Eagles have about as balanced a schedule as you could have playing in the tough NFC East. They never play two home games in a row. They play consecutive games on the road only twice -- an AFC North swing to Cincinnati and Baltimore (just 90 minutes away) in November. There isn't a stretch on the sked that scares you. But they'd better be in good playoff position come December. Philly is at the Giants, home for a Monday-nighter with Cleveland, at Washington and home with Dallas to close the season.

Memorable Image From Camp

Jason Avant and Hank Baskett, 6-foot and 6-4 respectively, have had most of their glory in training camp with the Eagles. With 68 combined catches in four collective seasons, they're young receivers who always seem to be on the edge of the roster, always the guys the Eagles are looking to replace and upgrade, the kind of players I thought of in the offseason when McNabb said, "We need more weapons.'' (And he didn't get any, by the way, after the Eagles failed to pry Randy Moss from the Patriots in free-agency.)

This is the kind of day both receivers need to have to show Reid and McNabb they can be trusted in the third quarter at Dallas. Avant made a great one-handed catch on a nine-route, causing the crowd to oooooooh. He generally caught everything in sight.

Working against Sheldon Brown on a route near the near sideline, Baskett went up for a jump ball and outfought Brown, tumbling to the ground hard and hanging on. A terrific catch . And camp aide Harold Carmichael, the former star Eagle wideout standing nearby, got in Baskett's ear. "Great job!'' he said. "Way to play above the rim, big fella!'' Remember Carmichael, one of the original really big receivers? That's the league the Eagles need Baskett to play in.

On the Menu

Ate lunch at the usual sandwich place in town, Deja Brew, and had an interesting experience. The owner, Jeff, told me they'd make me a sandwich, and what did I like? Turkey, tomato, lettuce, oil and vinegar ... something like that. So here came the turkey sandwich, on Russian Rye, with an inventive grape-tomato and romaine salad on the side.

Perfect for me, because I don't exactly get a lot of roughage on the ol' training-camp trip. The topper, of course, was the peanut-butter ball for dessert. Jeff's mom makes these classic balls with a hint of chocolate, things that look like big marbles but are the perfect smallish cap to a great lunch.

I noticed that as a tribute to Eagles play-by-play man Merrill Reese, Jeff has invented a coffee concoction for the broiling days here -- a iced latte with coffee ice cubes, peanut butter and chocolate syrup and coffee. Unusual, but I polished it off in about three minutes.

"We had the Dalai Lama here on campus this year,'' Jeff told me, "and so we made a Dalai Latte in tribute to him. It was a chai drink. People loved it. And one day, we had some monks come in here to eat. They were big eaters. Imagine this -- one day the monks, and the next day Chuck Bednarik came in.''

Parting Shots

• The Eagle hope rookie Trevor Laws, who looks a little smallish for the NFC East wars, can be the third DT in a rotation with Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson.

• Darren Howard is in the best shape of his life. He could be the missing defensive end Jim Johnson thought the Eagles bought from New Orleans two years ago. He's given them only six sacks in two years, so that's why they went out and got Clemons.

• DeSean Jackson, counted on to be a returner and deep-threat, third-down receiver, isn't doing himself any favors by staying out of practice. Reid said he needs to be practicing. But Jackson injured a hamstring at a June mini-camp in Philadelphia and re-tweaked it Sunday.

• Asante Samuel also has a hamstring strain. No one's very worried, but he walked off the practice field Tuesday morning with a slight limp.

• McNabb is happy. Seems carefree and his usual cutup self.

[dizzinator53]

3. The Eagles are still in search of a defensive end to be a force opposite Trent Cole. Bad day for that today. Bright young prospect Victor Abiamiri, the second-year end from Notre Dame, had wrist surgery and the team said he likely would be out four months. Sounds like an IR case to me. And with Clemons getting carted off, who knows if he'll be set back. Clemons was a situational rusher in Oakland mostly, and Philly needs him to step up to more of a regular presence.

Do you think this is why the Skins gobbled up Erasmus James and Jason Taylorso fast? To keep the (always slow) Eagles at bay. I do. I love this FO.

[OWUeagleMD]

Do you think this is why the Skins gobbled up Erasmus James and Jason Taylorso fast? To keep the (always slow) Eagles at bay. I do. I love this FO.

Erasmus James?

Anyway, we do have one thing in commong. I too love the Skins front office.

[McMetal]

Erasmus James?

You'll see him on the field before Abiamiri.

[dizzinator53]

Erasmus James?

Anyway, we do have one thing in commong. I too love the Skins front office.

Parker? Clemmons? (our garbage and hospitalized this week)

Don't hate.... you guys would beg for EJ right now if he were still available. But he's not... However, you do have the chumps listed above. See you in the playoffs......... oh wait.

:laugh:

[OWUeagleMD]

Parker? Clemmons? (our garbage and hospitalized this week)

Don't hate.... you guys would beg for EJ right now if he were still available. But he's not... However, you do have the chumps listed above. See you in the playoffs......... oh wait.

:laugh:

I'll take Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, and Bryan Smith over Erasmus James without a moment of hesitation. I'm in no way jealous of your DE situation.

However, I admit that if Abiamiri had been injured before Daniels, things may have easily been different for Jason Taylor.

[Fred Jones]

I'll take Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, and Bryan Smith over Erasmus James without a moment of hesitation. I'm in no way jealous of your DE situation.

However, I admit that if Abiamiri had been injured before Daniels, things may have easily been different for Jason Taylor.

1. Have to wait and see. The Bird DE's have been disappionting as of late. However, James has been hurt and what he will bring is a big question mark. Injuries, however, is one thing they have in common.

2. FO is CHEAP, no further discussion.

[Westbrook36]

Eramus James. :laugh:

[Fred Jones]

Eramus James. :laugh:

Please, like you know. James is a question mark. Not going to say he is or he isn't. James also has to stay healthy. But, he could have some upside. If he doesn't, skins move on and lose nothing. Unlike the Birds and their numerous draft failures along the Dline.

Addionally, you are the last person to mock a player pickup. You still haven't proven me wrong from a couple of drafts ago.

[OWUeagleMD]

Please, like you know. James is a question mark. Not going to say he is or he isn't. James also has to stay healthy. But, he could have some upside. If he doesn't, skins move on and lose nothing. Unlike the Birds and their numerous draft failures along the Dline.

Addionally, you are the last person to mock a player pickup. You still haven't proven me wrong from a couple of drafts ago.

Draft failures like Trent Cole, Mike Patterson, Broderick Bunkley, Derrick Burgess, Raheem Brock, and Corey Simon.

[dizzinator53]

Draft failures like Trent Cole, Mike Patterson, Broderick Bunkley, Derrick Burgess, Raheem Brock, and Corey Simon.

Broderick Bunkley = 30 Games, 40 tackles, 30 solo, 3.0 sacks WOW AWESOME, especially for a 14th overall pick!

Raheem Brock = Never played a game for the Eagles... Waste of a draft pick... Nice.

Mike Patterson = Averages 3.0 sacks per year with a career high 50 solo tackles (last year) ... getting a bit better, but still a run-of-the-mill DT so far.... I mean, nothing to write home to Mom about.

Derrick Burgess - 57 Tackles and 8.5 sacks in 4 years with the Eagles... Pathetic. He only played 29 games in 4 years too! He should have gotten more production than that. Injuries plagued his stint with the Eagles and he then went on to play for Oakland... where they utilized him better.... Another bad pick for your style of D.

Corey Simon - Averaged about 35 tackles a season (terrible) and had the best years of his Career in Philly. He was a dependable sack man, but obviously couldn't stop the run. I think he is actually a good draft pickup though.

Trent Cole - The best Player on your Defense. Yes... including your secondary. Great Draft Pick. Even the sun shines on a dog's ass every once in a while.

So in my estimation and your words, the Eagles have managed to draft 4 good defensive linemen in the Super Bowl Era or 6 in their existence if you add in Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Pete Pihos, and Bill Hewitt.

That is failure if you ask me. But you're used to that in Philly:

http://www.phillysucks.com/

[OWUeagleMD]

Broderick Bunkley = 30 Games, 40 tackles, 30 solo, 3.0 sacks WOW AWESOME, especially for a 14th overall pick!

Raheem Brock = Never played a game for the Eagles... Waste of a draft pick... Nice.

Mike Patterson = Averages 3.0 sacks per year with a career high 50 solo tackles (last year) ... getting a bit better, but still a run-of-the-mill DT so far.... I mean, nothing to write home to Mom about.

Derrick Burgess - 57 Tackles and 8.5 sacks in 4 years with the Eagles... Pathetic. He only played 29 games in 4 years too! He should have gotten more production than that. Injuries plagued his stint with the Eagles and he then went on to play for Oakland... where they utilized him better.... Another bad pick for your style of D.

Corey Simon - Averaged about 35 tackles a season (terrible) and had the best years of his Career in Philly. He was a dependable sack man, but obviously couldn't stop the run. I think he is actually a good draft pickup though.

Trent Cole - The best Player on your Defense. Yes... including your secondary. Great Draft Pick. Even the sun shines on a dog's ass every once in a while.

So in my estimation and your words, the Eagles have managed to draft 4 good defensive linemen in the Super Bowl Era or 6 in their existence if you add in Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Pete Pihos, and Bill Hewitt.

That is failure if you ask me. But you're used to that in Philly:

http://www.phillysucks.com/

Actually, I only counted players drafted by Andy Reid. So, in my estimation and your words, you have little or no understanding of football history and no ability to manage your own biases in a way that would have allow you to have a meaningful conversation.

Trent Cole, Corey Simon and Derrick Burgess are all pro bowlers, drafted by Andy Reid. Control your desire to qualify the discussion, and accept that they obviously work against any "point" you may feel compelled to make.

Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley were the anchors of a unit that was quite good against the run last year. Patterson was one of the most productive DTs in football last year, and Bunkley drew praise from scouts and observers across the league. Both players would start for the Washington Redskins, or, for that matter, the majority of teams in the league.

Raheem Brock was a good draft pick followed by a poor business decision. Keep in mind the topic of conversation.

I was going to question the Skins history of drafting Dlinemen, before I realized they've drafted a grand total of 4 in the last 8 years, none of which matter in any way.

Brilliant strategy... just don't draft anyone to play four of the most important positions on the field. Golden.

[GibbsFactor]

I'll take Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, and Bryan Smith over Erasmus James without a moment of hesitation. I'm in no way jealous of your DE situation.

However, I admit that if Abiamiri had been injured before Daniels, things may have easily been different for Jason Taylor.

So it takes 3 of your DEs to beat out James?

We needed DE help and so did you. We were, perhaps, overly aggressive in getting our needs, but we sure did meet our needs. Did you? See why we were aggressive now?

[dizzinator53]

Actually, I only counted players drafted by Andy Reid. So, in my estimation and your words, you have little or no understanding of football history and no ability to manage your own biases in a way that would have allow you to have a meaningful conversation.

Trent Cole, Corey Simon and Derrick Burgess are all pro bowlers, drafted by Andy Reid. Control your desire to qualify the discussion, and accept that they obviously work against any "point" you may feel compelled to make.

Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley were the anchors of a unit that was quite good against the run last year. Patterson was one of the most productive DTs in football last year, and Bunkley drew praise from scouts and observers across the league. Both players would start for the Washington Redskins, or, for that matter, the majority of teams in the league.

Raheem Brock was a good draft pick followed by a poor business decision. Keep in mind the topic of conversation.

I was going to question the Skins history of drafting Dlinemen, before I realized they've drafted a grand total of 4 in the last 8 years, none of which matter in any way.

Brilliant strategy... just don't draft anyone to play four of the most important positions on the field. Golden.

Why bring the Skins into an Eagles discussion?

I gave you proof positive that the players you named were mostly mediocre if they even played :laugh: . What is it that you cant understand about that?

Also, we got in free agency a guy that has more sacks that has almost 50 career sacks. I wouldn't expect you to know what free agency is because the only time you have ever made a decent move in that is when you got burnt by TO and still didn't get a Lombardi out of it. LOSERS.

[OWUeagleMD]

Why bring the Skins into an Eagles discussion?

Basis of comparison.

I gave you proof positive that the players you named were mostly mediocre if they even played :laugh: . What is it that you cant understand about that?

No, you provided qualifications in a lame attempt to explain why good draft picks "don't count" in a discussion about the quality of draft picks.

Also, we got in free agency a guy that has more sacks that has almost 50 career sacks. I wouldn't expect you to know what free agency is because the only time you have ever made a decent move in that is when you got burnt by TO and still didn't get a Lombardi out of it. LOSERS.

Free agency is an area where the Eagles have indeed failed when evaluating defensive linemen. Jevon Kearse, Darren Howard, and Derrick Burgess are good examples.

[OWUeagleMD]

So it takes 3 of your DEs to beat out James?

We needed DE help and so did you. We were, perhaps, overly aggressive in getting our needs, but we sure did meet our needs. Did you? See why we were aggressive now?

No, genius. I named three players who are better than James. Not the combination of the three.

We lost a high draft pick to injury, which sucks, for him and for the team. Luckily Parker and Clemens (who we aggressively pursued in the early days of free agency) have both played on a high level in the NFL. Bryan Smith is another high draft pick, and Darren Howard, while a complete bust thus far (and another guy we aggressively pursued in free agency), could easily provide a mediocre presence when needed, in the style of Philip Daniels.

[dizzinator53]

No, genius. I named three players who are better than James. Not the combination of the three.

We lost a high draft pick to injury, which sucks, for him and for the team. Luckily Parker and Clemens (who we aggressively pursued in the early days of free agency) have both played on a high level in the NFL. Bryan Smith is another high draft pick, and Darren Howard, while a complete bust thus far (and another guy we aggressively pursued in free agency), could easily provide a mediocre presence when needed, in the style of Philip Daniels.

Yeah, but they suck....at least Daniels showed up big in the run game, swatting passes down at the LOS, and against the Cowturds. We have had Clemmens. He isn't that great.

[dizzinator53]

Basis of comparison.

No, you provided qualifications in a lame attempt to explain why good draft picks "don't count" in a discussion about the quality of draft picks.

Free agency is an area where the Eagles have indeed failed when evaluating defensive linemen. Jevon Kearse, Darren Howard, and Derrick Burgess are good examples.

1. Comparison? We were talking about Eagle names that YOU brought up, spin doctor... Not Redskins

2. Your draft picks were neither that good, and that does count, but only against your FO.

3. I know, that's why I said it

[OWUeagleMD]

1. Comparison? We were talking about Eagle names that YOU brought up, spin doctor... Not Redskins

Comparison: a likening; illustration by similitude; comparative estimate or statement.

2. Your draft picks were neither that good, and that does count, but only against your FO.

Brilliant stuff. It's always productive to argue against a mindless hater. You're like dockeryfan, minus intelligence and communication skills.

3. I know, that's why I said it

Thought I'd point out that we've obviously been more than willing to shell the dough to free agent Dlinemen, even if they've been woefully unproductive.

[Fred Jones]

No, genius. I named three players who are better than James. Not the combination of the three.

Again, we will see. James problem was injuries, not quality of play. Healthy, he was better than the three you named.

However, he has not been healthy, and it is as yet unknown if he can not only stay healthy, but regain his form. To simply discount completely is a little arrogant on your part. Just because the skins FO might have made a good off-season acquisition doesn't mean you have to hate.

I am patiently waiting to see how it turns out. Our new coach said he estimates probably October before he is ready to play on a regular basis.

Next you will try and say our WR draft picks suck as well and that the Bird FO utilized their keen drafting ability and selected one that can actually contribute on the field. Yeah, patience will prove that as well.

[OWUeagleMD]

Again, we will see. James problem was injuries, not quality of play. Healthy, he was better than the three you named.

However, he has not been healthy, and it is as yet unknown if he can not only stay healthy, but regain his form. To simply discount completely is a little arrogant on your part. Just because the skins FO might have made a good off-season acquisition doesn't mean you have to hate.

I am patiently waiting to see how it turns out. Our new coach said he estimates probably October before he is ready to play on a regular basis.

Next you will try and say our WR draft picks suck as well and that the Bird FO utilized their keen drafting ability and selected one that can actually contribute on the field. Yeah, patience will prove that as well.

I've said numerous times that Erasmus James was a good signing. Said the same about Stuart Schweigert. We'll see if I'm right about either.

In any case, this was all in response to the assertion that the Eagles need a guy like James.

[dizzinator53]

The Eagles need someone to come off the edge. You're obviously in denial and are only wearing the green and silver glasses.

Hate all you want, I love our stacked situation here at DE, while I laugh at yours. You could be enjoying your stacked situation at corner over there, but your bitter ass would rather be on our site sniffing our proverbial taint. Don't blame me that Irsay stole your Dad's team in the middle of the night and we were the only show in town so your Dad told you to root for the Eagles.

Being the re-headed stepchild of the EAST, I wouldn't expect you to support an inferior forum such as the Eagles'.

[skins2victory]

The Eagles will be at the bottom of the NFCE for the 2nd year in a row. The Skins are going to pound the Eagles into the turff this year!!

[illone]

Anyone remember the Bunkley sig that westy used to rock?

:laugh:

[Fred Jones]

The Eagles will be at the bottom of the NFCE for the 2nd year in a row. The Skins are going to pound the Eagles into the turff this year!!

IMHO, I think the Birds are going to be hard to pick. I think it is easy to put them at the bottom, but McNugget is healthy, their Oline is still good, their defense is still good and history shows they will bounce back.

That said, someone else has to take the bottom slot. It would be nice if was the pukes, but have to wait and see. Every team has question marks that could disrupt their season.

I actually don't know who is going to finish at the bottom. It could easily be the skins just as it easily could be the Birds.