Training Camp News Articles Thread

[Seabiscuit36]

The hitting begins
Howard shines in first practice with new team
By GEOFF MOSHER
The News Journal

07/26/2006
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Darren Howard has plenty of introductions ahead of him during training camp, many of which will take place on the field.

Like on Tuesday, when William Thomas introduced himself first during a tangle that resulted in Howard staring skyward from on his backside.

Later, Howard put a double juke on the veteran tackle that nearly took Thomas out of his cleats.

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"He whopped me a couple times and I got him a couple of times," Howard said. "That's how it's going to be all camp. That's how we're going to make each other better. It's nothing that we hold against each other."

They say first impressions are the most important ones. Howard wasted no time getting up close and personal with the opposing quarterbacks during the Eagles' first practice with pads.

He batted down a couple of passes during scrimmages and always seemed to surface in the backfield.

That made one teammate extremely happy.

"In certain periods in practice, the tight end was on my side every time, and then Darren was able to get open on the other side," defensive end Jevon Kearse said. "Every time I looked up, I saw him back by the quarterback."

Kearse couldn't help but envision the future.

"So, in a game situation," Kearse continued, "it's going to be good. When the offense sees that, then they're going to put the tight end over there, so I can go eat. Then we all go eat."

By eat, Kearse means get his fill of pressures and sacks, each of which he and the Eagles' pass rush struggled to produce last season.

Though fifth-round pick Trent Cole showed potential, the Eagles managed just 29 sacks last season, way down from the second-ranked 47 they compiled a year before.

That made signing Howard a top priority.

Coach Andy Reid gave Howard a fairly favorable endorsement after one practice in pads.

"I saw him show up a couple times around the quarterback," Reid said. "I'll look at the tape here and see. But it looked like he showed up."

Howard didn't realize the Eagles would bust out the big hits so soon. Apparently, the system was different in New Orleans.

"He was very surprised about it," Kearse said. "He ain't in New Orleans anymore."

Howard is thankful for that.

He spent his first six seasons there, amassing 44.5 sacks -- twice he registered 11 sacks -- but soured on the organization when they saddled him with the franchise tag the past two seasons instead of offering the long-term commitment he sought.

He managed just 3 1/2 sacks last season. The tragic events and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the uncertainty that came with the location of each practice and game, eventually wore on Howard.

He sat out the last four games of the season and bolted for Philadelphia when free agency started to sign a deal worth $30 million over six years.

Though he drew rave reviews from teammates, the Monday morning conditioning test, the abundance of defensive schemes and formations, the myriad terminologies to learn and the downhill motion of Eagles linebackers compared to New Orleans' unit caught Howard by surprise.

The whole flow of practice and atmosphere at Lehigh University made Howard appreciate his new surroundings.

"Somebody told me a long time ago you don't know how sweet the sweet is until you taste the sour," Howard said, "and I've tasted the sour, so I'm ready for the sweet."

Contact Geoff Mosher at gemosher@delawareonline.com.

[ice grillin you]

i just realized this thread is specifically for articles...10 minutes after my dumb ass posted an article in another thread

everything looks great with howard this year...most specifically his attitude...seems as tho he really wants to prove soemthing...his addition is why i am much more comfortable with the d line vs the o line...seems as tho most people disagree with me but i dont really see it being that close (provided bunkley doesnt hold out until the middle of august or later)

[Seabiscuit36]

I did the same thing IGY and moved the post here. I'm with you on the Dline.  I just think there are more Fastballs to throw this year whereas the oline has William Thomas who cant decide what his name is, to Herremans switching to Guard.  Jackson makes me much more comfortable at Center than tastykakes did.  Andrews is fine if healthy and Runyan is runyan. 

[MadMarchHare]

I think the question on the lines is knowns v. unknowns.  We've seen what Thomas, Herremans (granted not at guard), Jackson, Andrews and Runyan can do.

Kearse and Walker we're familiar with, and both have been inconsistent.  Patterson, McDougle, Cole, Bunkley, they're all unknowns.  And hearing that LaJuan Ramsey might beat out the senior tackle (Jasper) for a roster spot is concerning at best.

[ice grillin you]

why are herremans and jackson knowns but patterson and cole are not

[SunMo]

Eagles | Position coach scolds Gocong
Wed, 26 Jul 2006 05:24:15 -0700

The Express-Times reports Philadelphia Eagles rookie OLB Chris Gocong was scolded loudly during seven-on-seven contact drills at practice Tuesday, July 25, by linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo, who yelled: "Hey Gocong, that was soft!"

ha

Eagles | Reid growing more disappointed with Bunkley
Wed, 26 Jul 2006 05:32:12 -0700

Bob Brookover, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid's disappointment in rookie DT Brodrick Bunkley's absence from training camp is growing with each passing day. "I want to really express my disappointment in (agent) Gary Wichard," the Eagles' head coach said Tuesday, July 25, in between training-camp practices at Lehigh University. "That's especially true because the pick right above him in the draft is in camp." Bunkley missed his seventh and eighth practices of training camp, and there was no indication that the sides were even close to agreeing on the rookie's first contract. Cleveland Browns LB Kamerion Wimbley, a linebacker who was Bunkley's teammate at Florida State, signed a six-year deal worth $23.7 million. There has been speculation that Wichard did not think that was a fair deal for Wimbley.

Eagles | Richmond sees some first-team reps; others will too
Wed, 26 Jul 2006 05:37:33 -0700

Reuben Frank, of Phillyburbs.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles LB Greg Richmond got some work with the first-team defense at strongside linebacker Tuesday, July 25, in place of incumbent LB Dhani Jones, who had an unproductive 2005. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said he'll continue to rotate different guys with the first unit at practice. LBs Chris Gocong and Dedrick Roper are candidates as well.

Eagles | Mahe does some holding
Wed, 26 Jul 2006 05:42:03 -0700

Reuben Frank, of Phillyburbs.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles RB Reno Mahe worked on holding for placekicks after practice Tuesday, July 25.

[Seabiscuit36]

I look at patterson as a vet after getting so many snaps as a rookie.  Jasper has been on his last legs for 3 years now, and Ramsey is a fresh young player from a great program who wants to win the job.  I'm fine with Ramsey winning the spot over a guy who's  had trouble finishing seasons over the past couple years.  KillaCole isnt a rook anymore, and will definitly contribute. Mcdougle sounds promising so far as usual and so long as he doesnt get into any gunfights will be nice part of the rotation. 

[ice grillin you]

andy really is looking for any possible reason to keep mahe on the team isnt he

[SunMo]

that's the first thing i thought.  and at this point, it's simply him trying to annoy us.

[General_Failure]

Just wait until he gets a job in the scouting department.

[Drunkmasterflex]

I agree with Reid on the Bunkley deal, that is pretty much ridiculous.  The guy right in front of him is signed, he is really going to be playing catch up behind the likes of Marshall and Ramsey. 

[ice grillin you]

hes stuck this year because perry is finally healthy and experienced  and clearly better than reno...thus no spot

[SunMo]

and perry is a KR, since it's begining to look like they will IR Bloom this year, they have to keep Perry.

[MadMarchHare]

why are herremans and jackson knowns but patterson and cole are not

In my mind, because Herremans and Jackson got full time starter status, and performed consistently.  Cole was being cycled in, and was quite inconsistent.  Patterson started strong and faded, which isn't surprising for a rook.  But the point is well taken.

[Wingspan]

Eagles | Reid growing more disappointed with Bunkley
Wed, 26 Jul 2006 05:32:12 -0700

Bob Brookover, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid's disappointment in rookie DT Brodrick Bunkley's absence from training camp is growing with each passing day. "I want to really express my disappointment in (agent) Gary Wichard," the Eagles' head coach said Tuesday, July 25, in between training-camp practices at Lehigh University. "That's especially true because the pick right above him in the draft is in camp." Bunkley missed his seventh and eighth practices of training camp, and there was no indication that the sides were even close to agreeing on the rookie's first contract. Cleveland Browns LB Kamerion Wimbley, a linebacker who was Bunkley's teammate at Florida State, signed a six-year deal worth $23.7 million. There has been speculation that Wichard did not think that was a fair deal for Wimbley.

not that i dont agree with reid here...but why would he say this to any member of the media? for someone who likes to keep things in house..this is really a strange quote from reid.