QuoteBROWN SHINES ON DAY ONE
July 30, 2005
By ZACH BERMAN
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The crowd was chanting Reggie Brown's name. The loudest cheer of the morning practice came when Brown caught a touchdown in the front right corner of the end zone in seven-on-seven drills. And when he finished practice, Eagles fans were eager to test his hands by throwing him a pen to sign whatever memorabilia they brought to Bethlehem.
Clearly, rookie wide receiver Reggie Brown is a draw. After his first training camp practice, onlookers learned why. The second-round pick from Georgia has the talent to be a noteworthy contributor for the Eagles.
His tools were evident on Saturday morning. For a rookie, his route-running was smooth. He was the biggest receiver on the field. His speed was nice, too. And he made some tough catches, displaying a set of hands that would make for a good Stick 'Em advertisement.
"Just as long as I keep making catches, they're going to want to keep giving me the ball," Brown said. "I felt pretty good. It's only the first day of camp, and I think the second practice will be even better."
Still, Brown did have his rookie moments. He dropped a pass thrown by QB Donovan McNabb, something that Brown was not afraid to point out when asked about his practice.
"I dropped one, and hopefully I won't be dropping anymore," Brown said. "I feel like I have a lot of work to do. It's going to be a long training camp and I'm going try to keep getting better."
When asked about Brown, McNabb gushed over the rookie. He complimented the rookie's hands and route-running. McNabb is also excited about what Brown can do after he catches the ball.
"He has big play ability, and he's the type of guy who if you put the ball in his hands, he can make a couple guys miss," McNabb said. "If you give him the ball in a six yard route, he can take it the distance."
But what was more telling was what McNabb said about the rookie's maturity. Brown spent time with McNabb and some of the other Eagles receivers working out in Arizona. It helped give the Georgia product a jumpstart on training camp by developing a rapport with his quarterback.
"That says a lot about the type of person he is," McNabb said. "The work ethic of taking time out of his schedule as a rookie, to come to Arizona and work with his teammates says a lot about him.
"He is a strong individual, a guy who is always open for advice and guidance. He is not a guy that thinks he knows it all."
The quarterback confessed that Brown will need a learning period to adjust to the league and the offense. Historically, rookie receivers have taken some time to learn head coach Andy Reid's system. Todd Pinkston, Freddie Mitchell and Billy McMullen were all first day draft selections who needed considerable time to get comfortable.
"I think as a rookie in general, it's a challenge to come in and learn the position," McNabb said. "It's not just knowing your position, but you have to know every position. I think sometimes a lot of people overlook that fact because they feel that you just line up on the outside and run routes. You have to know what every guy is doing on offense. You have to know what coverage you're seeing, you have to know if you have to convert a route, you have to know if you have to chop a route down, reduce it, and the list goes on."
Brown is prepared to learn. He did it in mini-camps, he did it in Arizona and he'll continue the learning process in training camp. Brown's remaining confident, yet humble. He understands what he can do and he knows the route to making it happen is by learning on the job.
That quality will help when the veterans arrive on Monday. Brown enjoys the increased repetitions while the numbers are small this weekend, but a part of Brown is eager for the rest of his teammates to arrive. He says right now, it's just like the passing camps in June. But once the pads go in, it's a whole different story. And like McNabb said, Brown will seek to soak things up.
So when the obligatory Terrell Owens questions came Brown's way, he took that approach. Brown was unbelievably non-chalant about all the hoopla surrounding the situation. He simply stated that he can learn from Owens.
But without Owens - or any returning receiver - in training camp yet, Brown was the receiver fans came to see. Brown was the receiver that stood out. And at the end of the practice, Brown was the name that they were all calling.
"Hey, it's good," he laughed. "I like that they know my name."
Good for him...sounds like he has a solid head on his shoulders. Let's just hope that AR doesn't label him Na Brown hands or something like that.
<---------- :yay
I really hope this guy develops into something special and IMO it is only a matter of time. He has the size and speed combo to eventually be a #1.
sounds good so far.
i like his attitude the best. confident but not cocky.
hes in a good position here, hes not expected to start or make any huge contributions. hes a rookie and will give a chance to play on ST and as the 4th or 5th wr.
I'll believe it when hes starting and making plays in games. How many other TC studs do we have on the team? But they never show up game day.
Anyway not to be all negative...i like this kid and i really hope he breaks the mold. Best of luck to reggie :yay
I was at camp today. There's a lot of truth in the report but it's a bit overblown. Reggie looked good but the crowd wasn't chanting his name like they said. It wasn't exactly a TO event.
Reggie Brown is going to be a fantastic WR for the Eagles. He has out of this world ability & I really think the Eagles finally got it right w/ this kid. Can't wait too see this kid next Thurs.
what do they say... you cant coach a work ethic... everything sounds great so far about Brown.
Quote from: MURP on July 30, 2005, 08:09:27 PM
what do they say... you cant coach a work ethic... everything sounds great so far about Brown.
What a refreshing change from Bitchell & his all-world yapper...
I'll believe it when hes starting and making plays in games
or at least against sheldon and/or lito in practice
I need a camp report on this guy. From ZACH BERMAN's account, this guy may finally fill Na Brown's shoes as a camp favorite....
As much as I want to be optimistic, history says that the earliest this guy will see the field in live action is the second half of the season. Thats been the case with every rookie WR under Reid ... and thats best case.
::) Negadelphian much?
It's a great report, but who exactly is he going up against? Rookie FA's? It's great that hes dominating subpar competition, but I think that is expected.
I really love Reggie Brown, but I'm not about to say he's the second coming of anything until he can produce against NFL starter talent, and in full pads in 90 degree heat.
I know that history says this guy won't play much this season but it is a little premature to right him off completely this season. IMO this guy is the most talented receiver the Eagles have drafted in the AR era. Look at Clayton last season with the Bucs, they run a similar offense and he turned out to be a year 1 stud. I think that talent can go a long way and will in this case.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on July 31, 2005, 10:47:22 AM
::) Negadelphian much?
Guilty as charged.
I am hoping this guy will be the first quality WR we've drafted in decades, and I'm not discounting the possibility, but Reid hasn't even once shown the inclination to play a rookie WR in a real game. I am guessing TO will be back, with Pinky, and Lewis next in line. Barring injury or holdout, Reggie may not get a chance to play regardless of talent except in 4 WR sets late in the season. Personally, I am all for throwing rookie WRs & RBs in the mix early and often, especially when we have a comfortable lead. Reid does not agree with me. Then again, if I were the coach, we'd probably finish 0-16 this year, so what do i know.
We need some fodder during camp, so optimism over a promising WR is as good as it gets, but in reality, he probably will have minimal impact if any at all this season.
Quote from: Reidme on July 31, 2005, 12:57:55 PM
Quote from: PhillyGirl on July 31, 2005, 10:47:22 AM
::) Negadelphian much?
Guilty as charged.
I am hoping this guy will be the first quality WR we've drafted in decades, and I'm not discounting the possibility, but Reid hasn't even once shown the inclination to play a rookie WR in a real game. I am guessing TO will be back, with Pinky, and Lewis next in line. Barring injury or holdout, Reggie may not get a chance to play regardless of talent except in 4 WR sets late in the season. Personally, I am all for throwing rookie WRs & RBs in the mix early and often, especially when we have a comfortable lead. Reid does not agree with me. Then again, if I were the coach, we'd probably finish 0-16 this year, so what do i know.
We need some fodder during camp, so optimism over a promising WR is as good as it gets, but in reality, he probably will have minimal impact if any at all this season.
As his sponsor I'll say this...he was the first rookie WR (I think) to go to Arizona to work out with McNabb. He has been working extremely hard to learn the playbook. this is a much different start than Hollywood had. All he wanted to do is find the next reporter to speak to.
I'm impressed by his demeanor and the way he handles himself. He seems to have a similar personality to McNabb in that he's all business and carries himself well. He's willing to learn and seems like a bright young man.
I think that alone will serve him well in the NFL. He has the right type of head on his shoulders and the physical talent to match.
That being said I'm excited to see how he will produce in TC and in preseason games.
I'm happy he's on the field. All the rest is premature.
Quote from: Diomedes on July 31, 2005, 07:45:06 PM
I'm happy he's on the field. All the rest is premature.
Nuh uh.
whoop de damn doo. :-D
Quote from: ice grillin you on July 31, 2005, 07:54:07 AM
I'll believe it when hes starting and making plays in games
or at least against sheldon and/or lito in practice
patience my man patience. He will this kid is for real :yay
I hope anyway :paranoid
QuoteBirds hope Brown can take the heat
By LES BOWEN
bowenl@phillynews.com
BETHLEHEM - The route-running and pass-catching part of it went just fine, Reggie Brown felt.
It was the "Arizona'' part of being invited to Arizona a few weeks ago to commune with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb that the Eagles' second-round rookie wide receiver felt was a struggle.
"It was a different experience, going out there in that heat,'' Brown said yesterday, as rookies and select veterans navigated the second of 3 days of workouts, before the bulk of the team was to report to training camp this evening. "It just allowed me to get more familiar with him, in that kind of enviornment.''
Brown said the main thing he learned about his new QB is "that he likes to work.''
"You go out to Arizona to get work in, you must love to work,'' Brown said. "It was like, 118 degrees out there. I got up about 8:30 or 9, it was already 100 degrees outside.''
Of course, Arizona residents always say, "but it's a dry heat.''
"That doesn't help at all,'' said Brown, who was born, raised and then spent his college career in the much stickier warmth of Georgia. "It's really dry. When you breathe in, it dries your throat out immediately. You have to drink a lot of water.''
Brown said that was his first visit to Arizona, "and I don't know if I'll go back.''
Actually, a reporter pointed out, he pretty much has to, since the Eagles are scheduled to visit the Cardinals on Christmas Eve.
"Hopefully, it'll cool down by then,'' Brown said.
"Boy, you try to bring a guy into a new climate, a new area,'' McNabb said, smiling. "Those guys think down-South heat is tough... Good thing he didn't bring that up while we were out there.''
Weather aside, the rookie agreed it was "kind of flattering'' to be included in a group of Eagles getting together to work out with McNabb, including safety Brian Dawkins, running back Brian Westbrook and fellow wideouts Greg Lewis, Billy McMullen and Justin Jenkins.
Of course, Eagles fans will be quick to note that Terrell Owens was not among the teammates who found their way out to the desert this year, after a much-publicized precamp visit with McNabb a year ago. McNabb told reporters at the most recent minicamp that Owens was invited again; an Owens publicist has said T.O. and McNabb were unable to mesh their schedules.
McNabb's remarks Saturday, when he indicated he plans to take a cordial but businesslike approach to his relationship with Owens if T.O. reports as expected today, probably shouldn't be interpreted as any sort of major shift in the tone of their interaction. All that best-buddy, odd-couple roommate stuff of a year ago was good PR for both players and for the team, but even though Owens bought a house near McNabb in Moorestown, N.J., he and McNabb didn't hang out that much. As long as they get along on the field, there shouldn't be much difference from before. They will not be roommates at this camp.
Other than McNabb, Brown might be the Eagle most affected by Owens' dispute with the Eagles. The Birds drafted him 35th overall, the highest they've taken a wideout since drafting first-rounder Freddie Mitchell 25th in 2001. Ever since his first minicamp, Brown has fielded questions about what Owens' unhappiness with the Birds' refusal to revise his contract might mean for a player who could be slated to be T.O.'s eventual replacement.
"I've been getting T.O. questions since I got drafted,'' Brown said on Friday, when he reported for camp. "I don't know him. I've never met him. I really can't say too much about him.''
Asked if he felt there were any comparisons between himself and Owens (a third-round pick of the 49ers in 1996), Brown smiled. "We're both receivers,'' he said. "They can compare you to anybody. I'm just going to go out there and play my game, and if he comes in, I'll be able to watch him and learn from him; he's a great receiver.''
Every story written about Brown this year will include the fact that under Andy Reid, rookie receivers don't tend to flourish. Mitchell's 21 catches for 283 yards are the rookie-wideout high of the Andy Era.
"We're 7 years into the offense, and it snowballs on you,'' Reid said yesterday. "There are a lot of things we just know our players know, and you can add new wrinkles in there on top of those base plays. For a young guy coming in, he's got to be pretty sharp to pick all that up and then go out and execute it against all the different defensive looks that defenses are throwing at you. [Brown] is doing a nice job with it. He studies, he's got a great work ethic.''
McNabb said Saturday that Brown "can turn a 6-yard route into a play that can go the distance.'' He also praised Brown as "a guy who is always open for advice and guidance, he's not a guy that thinks he knows it all.''
Yesterday, McNabb said it would be a mistake for anyone to put big expectations on Brown as a rookie, with all the weapons the Eagles have - if he catches 40 balls, great, but the important thing is for him to learn and grow.
Much has been made of how quickly Brown seems to be picking up the offense. Brown is wary of taking too much credit too soon there.
"The information they give you, I'm picking it up pretty good, I'm not making many mistakes, but there's so much more information to come,'' Brown said. "That's the problem; the offense, it can be basic in a sense, but once you start piling it on and on, it's hard to retain the information. I've just got to stay on top of it and try not to get overwhelmed.''
Quote from: Reidme on July 31, 2005, 09:15:43 AM
As much as I want to be optimistic, history says that the earliest this guy will see the field in live action is the second half of the season. Thats been the case with every rookie WR under Reid ... and thats best case.
actually, history says he'll drop a pass in the 4th quarter of a game early in the season...and then he'll be buried for the rest of the year :P
My "source", who rarely talks up players to me, told me today (after watching a few days of practice) that Reggie Brown is going to be really good. He believes he will be the first Eagles rookie WR to catch more than 21 passes since Victor Bailey in 1993.
FWIW.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on August 01, 2005, 12:58:07 PM
My "source", who rarely talks up players to me, told me today (after watching a few days of practice) that Reggie Brown is going to be really good. He believes he will be the first Eagles rookie WR to catch more than 21 passes since Victor Bailey in 1993.
FWIW.
I liked Victor Bailey. He was the Illini wasn't he. didn't he have some injury that ended his career? I think Reggie is going to be productive in this offense early. This is the first time that we have a quality WR rookie working in an offense that has TO to take some of the heat. He'll catch passes in the beginning simply because he is overlooked. As reggie's sponsor, I'm looking forward to seeing him light it up this season. Working in Arizona with Donovan AND Darth will prove to be educational.
im interested to see how he does against Lito and Sheldon. Screw the 15th string CB's. ;)
Quote from: MURP on August 01, 2005, 01:11:47 PM
im interested to see how he does against Lito and Sheldon. Screw the 15th string CB's. ;)
I said the same thing, but his response was that the route running and smarts was light years ahead of the other rookies (including Lewis/Pinkston/Freddie) that have come into camp in recent years. The fact that he's only been there for a few days and already knows where he is supposed to be on the field is a HUGE thing. McNabb throws and Brown is always where he should be.
Good. Let's cut TO. On his face.
Or, and I know this is a crazy idea, we can have two good WRs on the field at the same time. Think about it.
GF, you know as well as I do that that goes against every single single thing that Andy Reid stands for.
you can say that about everything other than bacon cheeseburgers on the top shelf of a bookcase
So did signing a good WR in the first place, but he did it.
Yeah, and look how well that's worked out. I'd bet dollars to donuts that AR would gladly hop on the 'light TO on fire' bandwagon right about now, even if he'll never publicly admit it.
Quote from: rjs246 on August 01, 2005, 01:29:56 PM
GF, you know as well as I do that that goes against every single single thing that Andy Reid stands for.
What it goes against is our many years of ill fortune at the WR slot. I mean, who was the best WR after Irving Fryar during the Ray-ray days? Chris T Jones? :P
Quote from: rjs246 on August 01, 2005, 01:34:42 PM
Yeah, and look how well that's worked out. I'd bet dollars to donuts that AR would gladly hop on the 'light TO on fire' bandwagon right about now, even if he'll never publicly admit it.
Reid will not hop for anything.
Quote from: General_Failure on August 01, 2005, 01:41:46 PM
Reid will not hop for anything.
Hm. Valid point. You are a master debator, my friend.
I still think we should char TO, but the idea of having two reliable receivers on the field at the same time does sort of tickle my taint.
There's always the option of immolating him in three or four years when he starts sucking like Pinkston.
I can't even fathom the thought of the Eagles having two reliable receivers on the field at the same time. I'll believe it when Pinkston's role as Number 2 is usurped.
Quote from: Tomahawk on August 01, 2005, 01:50:48 PM
I can't even fathom the thought of the Eagles having two reliable receivers on the field at the same time. I'll believe it when Pinkston's role as Number 2 is usurped.
Obviously. We're clearly getting ahead of ourselves in this conversation, but
if Brown can buck the trend and
if he can get his ass on the field to produce...
I hate Pinkston's ability as a WR more than G_F could ever hope.
What ability?
Quote from: Diomedes on July 31, 2005, 07:45:06 PM
I'm happy he's on the field. All the rest is premature.
Hey, at least your picks are in camp right now.
(SORRY ABOUT THE SIG SIZE, BTW. THEY MAKE EM BIG OVER @ BENGALZONE. :P)
Quote from: Who Dey on August 01, 2005, 03:10:52 PM
Quote from: Diomedes on July 31, 2005, 07:45:06 PM
I'm happy he's on the field. All the rest is premature.
Hey, at least your picks are in camp right now.
Every last one of them. ;D And there sure are a lot of them.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on August 01, 2005, 03:11:19 PM
Quote from: Who Dey on August 01, 2005, 03:10:52 PM
Quote from: Diomedes on July 31, 2005, 07:45:06 PM
I'm happy he's on the field. All the rest is premature.
Hey, at least your picks are in camp right now.
Every last one of them. ;D And there sure are a lot of them.
How come your Georgia boy comes to camp on time?
We got two, and one who's playing an entirely new position.
I don't get it. Pollack doesn't strike me as the type to hold out.
that sig pic is not going to last...eh i think i have to shtein now
dude...get rid of that sig pic...OMG WTF!11
I'm just guessing here but maybe our picks realize they'll be playing for the Eagles while your picks realize they're going to be playing for the Bengals for the next several years.
:-D
Quote from: jerome99RIP on August 01, 2005, 03:59:09 PM
I'm just guessing here but maybe our picks realize they'll be playing for the Eagles while your picks realize they're going to be playing for the Bengals for the next several years.
:-D
:-D Oh shtein that's good!
Brown looking to contribute as a rookie (http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/view_content_box.asp?ID=12885)