Lewis Bird-Watching In Utah

[PhillyPhreak54]

Eagles Notes Chad Lewis: Bird-watching in Utah

By Bob Brookover
Inquirer Staff Writer

ATLANTA - The last time the Eagles played the Atlanta Falcons, Chad Lewis was right in the middle of the action and the celebration.

Thanks in large part to his two touchdown catches in the right corner of the north end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles finally cleared the NFC championship game hurdle that they had stumbled on the previous three seasons.

As it turned out, of course, it was a bittersweet moment for the Eagles' classy veteran tight end.

The first TD catch, an amazing tightrope-walking grab, will be part of team highlight reels 100 years from now and still draws viewing requests from his friends and neighbors back in Utah. His second TD catch, a fourth-quarter grab that put the Eagles up by 17 points, triggered a wild celebration at the Linc and also prevented Lewis from playing in the Super Bowl with his teammates two weeks later.

Lewis suffered a sprained left foot on the second touchdown and watched the Eagles' Super Bowl loss to New England from a wheelchair on the sidelines. Eight months later, he still is rehabilitating as a man without a team.

The Eagles, however, are still his team. Out for a bike ride with his kids near his home in Utah yesterday afternoon, Lewis said he planned to watch the Eagles' season opener against the Falcons last night.

"Yeah, it will be strange," said Lewis, who spent seven seasons with the Eagles, including the last six as the team's starting tight end. "That's my family running out on the field. Those are guys I care about and I've been to war with. That's a big part of my life."

Lewis, 33, has not retired. He said 10 teams have told him they want him to work out for them once he has fully recovered, but he wouldn't say whether the Eagles were among them. He did say that he's still in contact with team trainer Rick Burkholder. Mark Myerson, the surgeon who operated on Terrell Owens last December, also operated on Lewis.

"I'm getting close," Lewis said. "My mind is still actively engaged in football. I've been going to BYU practices. I work out about four to six hours a day. I'm lifting weights, riding a bike and running in the pool. I can cut again and I can jump and run. I'm just not full speed."

In addition to his rehabilitation, Lewis has been promoting the NFL in China.

"I've been to Beijing twice in the last two months," he said. "I just helped out with the world championship of flag football, and I'm helping the NFL build its brand of football around the world."

Thailand, by the way, beat the United States in the flag-football final for children ages 12 to 14

Sign Chad Lewis. Get his happy ass into Philadelphia now. The first week has passed and he's a vested veteran so his salary is not guaranteed. He would also only count $450K against the cap.

If you want to keep Spach...cut Reno or Parry and let Spach be the FB.

Like I said last night - Donovan misses Chad on 3rd downs or in clutch spots.

Sign him now, Andy.

[MURP]

Donovan misses everyone on 3rd downs. 

[TexasEagle]

I work out about four to six hours a day. I'm lifting weights, riding a bike and running in the pool. I can cut again and I can jump and run. I'm just not full speed."

Isn't that why they dumped Ritchie? Why would they sign Chad if they wouldn't keep Ritchie?

[PhillyPhreak54]

Sign him and get him in here to rehab and get back quicker. Something.

I'm not happy with the back-up TE and FB spots right now.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Donovan misses everyone on 3rd downs. 

[mussa]

cut parry

[greenbleeder]

I have Chad going to the Saints. Can't believe they didn't sign Teyo Johnson after Boo and Ernie Conwell went down.

[pinoyboy2pt0]

I'm not happy with out starting FB situation.  Spach did play some FB in college, I wonder how he does. 

[MURP]

how many times did Parry lead block in the game on a run play anyway?  I dont remember, but it couldnt have been that many. 

[rjs246]

Parry sucks.

[PhillyGirl]

I agree, he was awful. Horrible.

But those clamoring for Ritchie...hello? If Ritchie was able to, he'd be playing.

[Feva]

The first TD catch, an amazing tightrope-walking grab, will be part of team highlight reels 100 years from now and still draws viewing requests from his friends and neighbors back in Utah. His second TD catch, a fourth-quarter grab that put the Eagles up by 17 points, triggered a wild celebration at the Linc and also prevented Lewis from playing in the Super Bowl with his teammates two weeks later.

Ain't that the truth.

The two images that stick in my head most from that game both belong to Chad.  The 1st was that 1st TD grab... the 2nd was after he caught the 2nd one... he's sitting on his butt doing the "Daunte Culpepper", getting his roll on.

"I'm getting close," Lewis said. "My mind is still actively engaged in football."

[rjs246]

I agree, he was awful. Horrible.

But those clamoring for Ritchie...hello? If Ritchie was able to, he'd be playing.

Ritchie in a coma is better than Parry. I wish that were hyperbole.

[Feva]

I agree, he was awful. Horrible.

But those clamoring for Ritchie...hello? If Ritchie was able to, he'd be playing.

Ritchie in a coma is better than Parry. I wish that were hyperbole.

He's damn sure faster.

[pinoyboy2pt0]

I agree, he was awful. Horrible.

But those clamoring for Ritchie...hello? If Ritchie was able to, he'd be playing.

Ritchie in a coma is better than Parry. I wish that were hyperbole.

He's damn sure faster.

...and smarter.