Training Camp News Articles Thread

[Feva]

Questions remain for receivers

By: REUBEN FRANK (Sun, Aug/13/2006)


BETHLEHEM - All they've heard is how bad they are. All spring, all summer. All preseason. Everywhere they go.

The Eagles' wide receivers know the only way to answer those doubts is to shut up and make plays.

"Everybody's doubting us," Reggie Brown said. "It's up to us to prove them wrong. So far, I'm really encouraged by how we're playing."

After three weeks of training camp and two preseason games, the Eagles think their revamped wide receiving corps is doing exactly what it needs to do. Learning the offense, practicing hard, improving daily, and making plays in the games.

The remaking of the wideout position in a post-T.O. world has not been without complications.

Todd Pinkston has barely practiced, free agent Jabar Gaffney has been slow to pick up the offense, and Greg Lewis hasn't caught a ball in the two preseason games.

But undrafted rookie Hank Baskett has materialized as a potential starter. Rookie Jason Avant has looked good since returning from minor knee surgery. Darnerien McCants is the most improved receiver in camp. And Lewis still makes every catch in practice.

Add it up and what do you have?

Nobody knows. Still too early to tell.

But the position does seem to be taking shape with over a month left before opening day in Houston.

"I'm excited about the way those guys are progressing," Donovan McNabb said after Saturday's morning practice. "Reggie's kind of the focal point, which is different because he's only a second-year guy, but he's handled it well.

"The other guys - Hank has done a great job, Jabar is getting better every day, Greg Lewis is a guy I always have a lot of confidence in, and Jason Avant, you can see him improving. And it was great to see Todd back there today and hopefully he can stay healthy.

"What people say about our receivers ... it's a motivating factor for them. People are going to say, "You can't do this, you can't do that.' We try to talk about what we can do and not what we can't do. And I think this group can do a lot of different things."

Head coach Andy Reid has been experimenting with various configurations, working Baskett and Avant into the slot, lining up almost everybody at some point with the first offense and in various three- and four-wide combinations.

"We're giving them a lot of opportunities to see what they're best at," he said. "And we'll see who ends up being the better guys at what positions."

Lewis at times seems like the odd man out lately. He doesn't have a preseason catch, and he played only four snaps Thursday night, when the Eagles beat the Browns at the Linc in their second preseason game.

Reid said the only reason Lewis hasn't played much is because the newcomers in the offense - Baskett, Gaffney, Avant - need the reps. Lewis played well at the end of 2004 but had a lousy 2005 season.

"Greg Lewis is one guy I know what he can do," Reid said. "I'm very confident in Greg so I don't need to see quite as much out of Greg as I do the young guys."

And Gaffney has made strides the last week or two and is starting to look comfortable.

"He's gotten better here the last few days," Reid said. "He's getting a little better feel for the offense."

McCants, essentially a special teamer last year, has had a good camp and helped himself with a 32-yard touchdown catch Thursday night. Avant had a 22-yard catch to help set up another TD.

Baskett has been the find of camp, going from an undrafted rookie free agent to a likely opening-day starter opposite Brown. After making spectacular plays every day at Lehigh, he finally got to do it in a game Thursday night and responded with a lunging 32-yard reception from McNabb down to the 2-yard-line to set up a field goal.

"They gave me an opportunity and that's what my dad has always taught me, to make the most out of every opportunity," Baskett said. "I don't know how big of an impact (I'm making), I'm just out there playing football trying to make the best out of every chance they give me."

The only locks right now are Brown, Baskett and Avant. Reid will likely keep six receivers, and it certainly seems to be lining up as Gaffney, Lewis and McCants in the three other spots.

Pinkston? He returned to practice yesterday after nearly two weeks, but until his Achilles lets him play on Sundays in the fall he can't be counted on.

Jeremy Bloom? He also returned to practice, but he's behind and has to catch up to have a chance.

"We've got some young guys in there that are playing their tail off," Reid said. "There are some things we could definitely work on, but they are working extremely hard and getting better.

"When it's all said and done we are going to end up releasing a few good football players. That's the way it ends up working out. You can't keep everybody."

[phillywin2k5]

i like the prospect of McCants, i thought last year he was a good p/u but then played little in the season. To see him excel this year brings alot to the team. We could finally have a real WR core for the 1st time since Barnett and Williams.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

We could finally have a real WR core for the 1st time since Barnett and Williams.

We could, but let's not count our chicken eggs before we throw them in the baskett.

[Feva]

Stop it.  Now.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Stop?  The best way to stop a charging bull is to take away his Amex!

[Geowhizzer]

You're all a bunch of Baskett-cases. 

[Rome]

That's not a pun, Geo.

I still laughed, though.  Of course, I laugh at people when they get devoured by lions in game preserves, so take that for what's it's worth.

[Sgt PSN]

We could finally have a real WR core for the 1st time since Barnett and Williams.

We could, but let's not count our chicken eggs before we throw them in the baskett.

Solid B.  It made me laugh against my will. 

[Feva]

Eagles' line much stronger

Sunday, August 13, 2006
BY JOHN NALBONE

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- There was offseason money to be spent at wide receiver, linebacker, offensive line and backup quarterback.

But when Eagles president Joe Banner crunched the salary-cap numbers and flipped through his little black book of potential free agents, while general manager Tom Heckert and his scouts were done scouring the countryside for players to help avoid another 6-10 season, most roads led back to the defensive line.

Wise choice.

"We now have first- and second-team guys that can really get after the quarterback," Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said. "I don't think we've blitzed once yet in the preseason. Those guys up front have been getting sacks and when we don't have to blitz, we can stay back and be where we need to be. It just makes our job so much easier because we can have that extra guy in coverage."

Newly acquired defensive end Darren Howard has rebuffed his critics and it appears his knee is healthy enough to make an impact.

At six years and $30 million, it better be.

On the other side is veteran Jevon Kearse, whose legs and attitude appear as fresh as the day the Eagles gave him $16 million up front in March 2004.

Last year's first-round draft pick, Mike Patterson, has been very active and Jim Johnson's other rotating ends -- Trent Cole, Juqua Thomas and rookie LaJuan Ramsey -- have helped the Eagles (1-1) register nine sacks in two preseason games after being credited with just 29 all of last season.

There even have been a few Jerome McDougle sightings.

"If we do our job as a front four, hopefully there won't be a need to do a whole lot of blitzing," Kearse said. "Along with double-teaming me last year, they were packing down on the inside. But with the guys we've got now it's not going to play out like that no more -- as long as we stay healthy and do what we have to do."

Asked if he thought the Eagles had the potential to have one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL, Kearse took a step back and seemed stunned there even was any doubt.

"We are the best D-line," Kearse said, flashing his prototypical smile. "Like I said, as long as we can stay healthy. On paper we look good and so far we look good live. But I still think there is so much more we can bring to the table, and once we get (first-round pick Brodrick) Bunkley up to speed we're really going to be deadly up there."

Bunkley started the second half Thursday, and although he was featured in just a handful of plays due to his 16-day hiatus from training camp, the All-America defensive tackle from Florida State pressured Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Campbell and was credited with a hurry on just his third pro play from scrimmage.

"I did what I was asked to do when my chance came around," Bunkley said. "I was hoping (Campbell) would hold the ball a little longer, but I was going to hit him anyway.  I'm just ready to get after it and play some football."

Notes: Wide receiver Todd Pinkston (Achilles) returned to practice for the first time in weeks yesterday morning, but he is unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason game against Baltimore ... Long-snapper Mike Bartrum also was back on the field yesterday after tests conducted Friday confirmed the 13-year veteran suffered from a viral infection that triggered the chest pains which caused him to miss the 20-7 preseason win over the Browns. Initial broadcast reports erroneously reported that Bartrum had suffered a heart attack ... With starting running back Brian Westbrook still grounded by a sprained foot and not expected to dress for Thursday's game, Correll Buckhalter ran with the second team and Ryan Moats worked with the third unit during yesterday's morning session. Both are expected to see action against Baltimore ... Center Jamaal Jackson (ankle sprain), tackle Calvin Armstrong (knee sprain), guard Adrien Clarke (back), linebacker Greg Richmond (back spasms), defensive tackle Darwin Walker (ribs) and Westbrook (foot sprain) did not practice yesterday, while McDougle had his ribs rattled early in the session but did return ... In desperate need of depth at center, the Browns reportedly are interested in Eagles veteran Hank Fraley, who became expendable when Jackson emerged as the Eagles' clear-cut starter at center once Fraley tore his rotator cuff last season ... Like Donovan McNabb against the Raiders Aug. 6, new Ravens quarterback Steve McNair led his team to a touchdown during his one and only series on the field in Friday's loss to the Giants ... Although he generally is pleased with what he has seen over the first two games, an area of concern for Reid are penalties. The Eagles have been flagged for 19 totaling, 142 yards ... Also notable was a fight between starting guard Todd Herremans and outside linebacker Dhani Jones during the last 45 minutes of drills. Herremans body-slammed Jones during a 7-on-7 drill. Jones then ripped off Herremans' helmet and heaved it 30 yards downfield. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

Playback

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - It was the practice to attend if you love hitting and defense.

About halfway through yesterday's workout at Lehigh University, Eagles coach Andy Reid barked at the defense.

"You're going through the motions," he said after approaching the line of scrimmage.

"They caught two or three deep balls on us, and he was obviously trying to get us fired up," middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said. "He's trying to help us, and we have to take stuff personally when we get beat."

Linebacker Matt McCoy nailed a running back on the next play. A few minutes later, the Eagles went into a goal-line drill with the first offense going against the second defense. The offense failed to score on three attempts from the 2-yard line.

Rookie linebacker Omar Gaither started the nonstop hits party with a picture-perfect tackle of Josh Parry that stopped the fullback dead in his tracks after he caught a pass at the 1.

Reno Mahe fumbled on the next play after being greeted by three or four white-shirted defenders. McCoy covered the ball. Linebacker Dedrick Roper, the only remaining healthy competition for Dhani Jones at strong-side linebacker, registered a touch sack of Donovan McNabb to end the drill.

Enter the first-team defense, which was equally as dominating.

On first down, safety Michael Lewis blitzed and batted a pass attempt by Jeff Garcia back into the quarterback's face. Correll Buckhalter went nowhere on the next play, and Reid spoke to his defense again.

"Nice job, D," the coach said. "Way to get off the ball."

Defensive end Juqua Thomas finished the drill by throwing Buckhalter for a loss as Lewis screamed that the offense was in an illegal formation. It wasn't enough for the defense to beat the offense: It also had to accuse the offense of cheating.

"That shows we're hungry," Trotter said. "Everybody is hungry. That was the main goal coming in here. Obviously we're embarrassed by last season and sometimes it takes a butt-kicking to get you back and going again. A lot of guys worked hard this off-season, and I think it's showing... .

"This year, our goal coming in was to be the No. 1 defense in the league... . You have to practice that intensity every day."

Catch of the day

Mahe, on a ball put up for grabs by McNabb, stepped back inside of safety Sean Considine to make a terrific catch.

Play of the day

McNabb made an incredible throw, and L.J. Smith made an even better catch in the end zone for a touchdown.

Quote of the day

Trotter on rookie defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley: "The guy is a bowling ball. He's 314 pounds of nothing but muscle."

[PhillyPhreak54]

Linebacker making noise as a rookie
Fifth-rounder Omar Gaither isn't shy about speaking up.

By Shannon Ryan
Inquirer Staff Writer

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Omar Gaither is not trying to keep himself a secret. And it's hard to imagine that he would be able to keep one.

The linebacker is one of the most vocal - and entertaining - players on the field at Eagles training camp at Lehigh, hardly abiding by a rookie code of silence.

Blend in? Keep quiet? Act like a wallflower?

Not Gaither.

"I think the whole stadium knows what defense we're playing because he calls it in the huddle so loudly," said defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.

Gaither, out of Tennessee, was the second-to-last player drafted in the fifth round, but he is as loud as the boisterous veteran linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.

"That's just the way I've always been," said Gaither, who is battling a knee injury. "I grew up that way. I think it's all about attitude. If you go out with an attitude and you're vocal, everybody knows it. The whole defense gets up."

Gaither has certainly been fired up lately.

In the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, he recorded his first interception as an NFL player, diving for a deflected pass from Cleveland quarterback Lang Campbell.

He took about 35 defensive plays and 13 on special teams, according to Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh.

"That's a lot of reps for a young guy," Harbaugh said. "He's working through it, and he's doing a good job."

Gaither, who is 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, recorded 78 tackles and four sacks as a senior with the Vols.

While Johnson said Gaither has "a ways to go" in learning the defense, he has been impressed with the middle linebacker. Johnson also wants Gaither to learn the outside linebacker position, where he played in college.

"He's got a little bit of a knack of football sense," Johnson said. "He's making plays. He has to become a little bit more disciplined player in reading schemes and stuff like that, but I do like the way he plays."

Gaither said he needs to stay on his toes.

"I know me being a lower pick I have to work harder to stand out a little more," he said.

So far, it has been hard to ignore him.

At training camp yesterday, Gaither hardly left the field and was obviously never too winded. He made a huge tackle during goal-line-stand practice, when he stuffed fullback Josh Parry into the turf. Gaither also broke up an end-zone pass from Koy Detmer.

When Reno Mahe was stopped short of the end zone, Gaither was heard yelling, "No. No. No. He didn't get in."

"He's a good leader," Trotter said. "He gets the guys going and tries to get everyone in the right spot. Normally you don't see that from rookies... . He's definitely one of the bright spots as far as the rookies go. He's just going to continue to get better."

Gaither said his mouth at times has landed him in the doghouse, from grade school through college and now in pro football.

"It gets me in trouble all the time," Gaither said with a smile. "It gets me in trouble here sometimes... . My voice was low so it carried, and the teacher knew it was me. I'd go home and my mom would whip me and my dad would whip me. You live and you learn."

But he doesn't see himself muzzling it anytime soon.

"That's just the kind of person I am," he said. "I've been doing it this long, I don't know why I should change."

[reese125]

Linebacker Matt McCoy nailed a running back on the next play. A few minutes later, the Eagles went into a goal-line drill with the first offense going against the second defense. The offense failed to score on three attempts from the 2-yard line.

this doesnt happen regularly I hope

[Geowhizzer]

Linebacker Matt McCoy nailed a running back on the next play. A few minutes later, the Eagles went into a goal-line drill with the first offense going against the second defense. The offense failed to score on three attempts from the 2-yard line.

this doesnt happen regularly I hope

Don't worry.  Signing Stephen Davis will solve that problem. 

[hunt]

dook had 12 td's in the first 10 games last season. 

[Seabiscuit36]

If reno is your starting back, theyll get stopped every time.  Reno is a WR not a RB, he's great after the catch but cant do anything behind the O Line