Eagles/NFL

MCNABB'S RAISE DOESN'T EQUATE TO JOB SECURITY

2009-06-12T13:08:00.006-04:00

Donovan McNabb didn't get an extension. He got a raise.

The restructuring of the franchise quarterback's deal basically means that he'll collect the $19.2 he was slated to make this season and next season, along with an extra $5 million that reflects current market value.

The salary cap has skyrocketed since McNabb signed a 10-year, mega-million extension in 2002, and so have player salaries. By comparison, Kurt Warner's recent deal guarantees him $19 million over the next two years.

"Donovan warranted this," Andy Reid said. "We'll worry about the future as we come up here."

Don't read too much into this deal. It's a small victory for both parties.

Sure, McNabb's money his guaranteed, but he still must perform over the next two seasons to get an extension beyond 2010. And by perform, I mean deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl title.

I also wouldn't assume that two guaranteed seasons of salary ensures that McNabb can't lose his starting job to Kevin Kolb.

Good teams expect that a significant percentage of their payroll goes to the quarterback position and plan accordingly. The Eagles aren't financially crippled by McNabb's raise and Reid has no obligation to play a poorly performing McNabb based on the quarterback's paycheck.

"And I’ve always said that I would like to retire here, but that’s not going to be in two years," McNabb said today at his press conference. "Again, like I said, my main focus, as well as Coach’s, is to focus in on what we have to do in these next two years and we feel like with the guys we have in this locker room, we can get this job done.”

Also don't believe that McNabb power-played the Eagles into giving him more money by that ESPN.com report that he considered a trade request or was waiting to see the team's offseason moves before deciding if he'd stick around.

McNabb's agent, Fletcher Smith, admitted that when McNabb signed his extension in 2002 there was some kind of agreement that the deal would be upgraded in the future if the market changed.

Guess what? The market changed dramatically. Nobody could have forseen the revenue hike the league has enjoyed over the last half-decade and the seemingly endless ceiling of salary-cap space each team has.

Basically, the Eagles gave $5 extra million to make him happy for the moment and get with the times. As for job security and his future beyond 2010, nothing changed.

MINICAMP OVER, LEHIGH NEXT.

2009-06-11T14:11:00.004-04:00

The Eagles finished their final practice of the minicamp season Thursday and won't officially practice again until rookies report to Lehigh on July 26 for training camp.

I'm already dreaming of the dense, mountain air and the hours that pass standing outside the A. Haigh Cundey Varsity House (pictured left) waiting for a third-string guard to indulge me about a mised assignment that sabotaged the second-team offense's red zone drill.

I actually love training camp, especially when the hitting starts and the 11-on-11 drills brings out the competitive thirst of those fighting for roster spots. Eagles camp might be the only camp in the NFL where the defense gets more cheers than the offense.

For their last minicamp practice, the Eagles scouted the Carolina Panthers - their first opponent of the 2009 season. Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Jon Beason were impersonated on the scout team.

A handful of Jeremy Maclin catches on the first-team offense highlighted the day, along with a few pass breakups from second-year cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu.

In one passing drill, Maclin was given 10 yards of cushion by scout-team corner Byron Parker but the rookie still blazed past the corner on a seam route and caught the ball in stride with rookie safety Macho Harris fast pursuing.

Brent Celek, who enters the season as the No. 1 tight end, turned in the best catch of the day. His picture-perfect, over-the-shoulder catch along the right sideline over Joselio Hanson gained 45 yards.

Dimitri Patterson, a free-agent corner back at practice after missing two days from a groin strain, picked off a fade route in the end zone intended for rookie tight end Eugene Bright. The pass was thrown by Temple product Adam DiMichele.

Here are my observations from the past two weeks of camp, and what they mean for the future:

* Second-year pro Quintin Demps is the lead candidate to fill Brian Dawkins' void but he'l struggle to keep free-agent signee Sean Jones off the field. Demps makes good reads and has great hands, but Jones is a physical specimen, and I think that'll show when the pads come on at Lehigh.

* There really isn't a competition at right tackle. It's Shawn Andrews' spot and he'll have to play poorly or get injured to lose the job to Stacy Andrews, who will play right guard.

* Omar Gaither wants his weak-side linebacker job back, but Akeem Jordan looks very comfortable. If anything, second-year pro Joe Mays' recent practices at weak-side linebacker could signify that Gaither is on the way out. Just a hunch there.

* Donovan McNabb's out routes are fantastic. His arm strength on those passes are still his bread and butter. But the offense is working to get more vertical, which hasn't been McNabb's forte the past two seasons. With DeSean Jackson's emergence and the addition of Maclin, look for McNabb to established the bomb at Lehigh.

* Reggie Brown had a nice camp. Did a lot of diving and stretching for passes, which we don't see enough from the entire crop of wideouts.

* Kevin Curtis seemed to push himself to get on the field after undergoing a second groin surgery. Makes me wonder if he's feeling the heat after the team spent high draft picks on Jackson and Maclin.

* Nick Cole played better at right guard than Max Jean-Gilles did last year in Shawn Andrews' absence. Cole will challenge Jamaal Jackson for the starting center job in camp, but I don't see Jackson losing the battle. He's a stellar pass protector and he'd have to really slip up to lose out.

* Those predicting a breakout season for middle linebacker Stewart Bradley probably aren't misguided. But this group of linebackers needs to make big plays - i.e., sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles - for any one of them to "break out."

* I'd be surprised if Jim Johnson is back to coach the defense. It stinks to write, but it's the truth. Johnson is doing the chemo treatment and, as coach Andy Reid said, some days are better than others. Expect the season to start with Sean McDermott running the show.

* As for McDermott, some of the guys on defense said he's changed a few things around, which is good. McDermott needs to put his stamp on the defense and show that he's his own coach, not Johnson's clone. Remember, Steve Spagnuolo took Johnson's defense to the Giants and adapated it to his personnel there, adding his wrinkles here and there. He won a Super Bowl in his first season.

Your thoughts?

REPORT: BIRDS WORK OUT DEFENSIVE END PROSPECT

2009-06-10T18:02:00.003-04:00

The Eagles on Wednesday worked out a defensive lineman prospect who will available in this year's supplemental draft, according to reports by ESPN.com and The Associated Press.

Former University of Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, who was suspended by the NCAA for his senior season after failing a drug test, wasn't present when the team conducted its normal minicamp practice at the NovaCare Complex.

The substance in question hasn't become public information, though Jarmon has said it came from a dietary supplement, according to the AP. Jarmon will have a Pro Day workout July 9, his final showcase before the July 16 draft.

If the Eagles are truly interested, they'll have to surrender a 2010 draft pick and potentially outbid other suitors. That's how the supplemental draft works.

Interested teams submit a private draft-pick bid. If the team wins, it must part with that pick to acquire the prospect. If more than one team bids on a prospect, the team that bids the highest pick wins.

Naturally, you don't see first-round picks thrown about here very often.

The Eagles have nine picks in 2010, but it's hard to believe they'd give one up for another defensive end. They already have six on the roster.

Then again, they're the Eagles. They don't believe in the concept of too many pass-rushers, although Andy Reid surprisingly made it through April's draft without picking one defensive lineman.

Citing NFL scouts, the AP story said Jarmon would have been a first- or second-round pick had he been allowed to finish his Kentucky career. In three years, the 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive end registered 17 sacks, third-most in school history.

RESERVE CORNERS GET BUMPED

2009-06-09T14:28:00.004-04:00

Andy Reid isn't thrilled that his starting cornerback tandem isn't at minicamp.

But these camps are called voluntary for a reason, and lest the Eagles' coach want to incur the wrath of the players' union, Reid can't really gripe too loudly that Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown aren't at the NovaCare Complex this week with their teammates.

Two teammates who aren't so unhappy about the situation are Dimitri Patterson and Trae Williams. Both are cornerbacks with long odds to make the team but each have capitalized on the absences of Brown and Samuel by jumping up the depth chart.

"For the most part, whether you're getting 20 reps or two reps, they better be your best reps," Patterson said. "It's all in the mind-set, and that's the mind-set I like to approach with."

Patterson, a third-year pro, had already been practicing on the second team - ahead of 2008 fourth-round pick Jack Ikegwuonu - last week. But he got a little banged up in practice Monday and gave some reps away to Williams.

"You get to know the defense a lot better when you're running with the 1s," Williams said. "I feel pretty comfortable making the jump."

MCCOY RETURNS TO PRACTICE

2009-06-08T14:06:00.006-04:00

It was a fairly scary sequence of events last Friday - the tumble that caused LeSean McCoy to sprain his left thumb followed by the announcement that Brian Westbrook had undergone his second offseason surgery.

For a moment, it seemed that coronation of Lorenzo Booker as the team's starting running back was imminent.

Turns out, there's still a camp competition for that top backup running back spot. McCoy returned to practice Monday, missing no time from the thumb sprain. He participated in all parts of practice with a splint protecting the gimpy digit.

"It felt good," McCoy said. "They gave me some great treatment this morning and I felt good about it."

The injury happened after McCoy caught a pass and slipped while he turned upfield. He tried to brace himself with the hand but his thumb bent back almost completely.

McCoy said he was "nervous" initially. He still hasn't signed a contract yet and any missed time might have set back his ambition to edge Booker in the depth chart.

"I didn't know what happened," he said. "I was in a lot of pain."

Other tidbits from the first day of the last OTA.

* CB Sheldon Brown still isn't here.

* CB Asante Samuel wasn't at practice. He took advantage of the camp's "voluntary" nature, an Eagles spokesperson said. No word if he'll be back today.

* Kevin Curtis ran through a handful of snaps as he continues to come back from a second groin surgery.

* Right guard Max Jean-Gillies, coming back from surgery on his right fibula, practiced some with the team.

* The Eagles have begun their annual preparation for division opponents in camp. Today, they practiced against a scout team representing the Redskins.

WESTBROOK'S SURGERY A SUCCESS, McCOY INJURED IN CAMP

2009-06-05T13:22:00.013-04:00

Brian Westbrook underwent successful ankle surgery Friday morning in Baltimore, performed by Dr. Mark Myerson, but the Eagles can't pin a timetable on the Pro Bowl running back's return.

They anticipate that Westbrook will be good to go for the Sept. 13 season opener against Carolina but aren't sure if he'll be an active participant at training camp, which starts July 29 for veterans.

Contrary to some reports, Westbrook's sugery was not athroscopic. It was an invasive procedure intended to remove scar tissue and extract two bone fragments that had grown in the back and inside of Westbrook's ankle, according to head trainer Rick Burkholder.

One of the spurs, Burkholder said, was the result of the sprained ankle Westbrook sustained in Week 3 last season against the Steelers. The other's origin isn't clear, but Burkholder suggested its presence hadn't caused Westbrook any prior irritation.

One fragment had grown large enough to rub against a nearby tendon and cause inflammation that extended to Westbrook's toe. After removing the fragment, Myerson treated the the scar tissue and inflammation, Burkholder added.

"Brian's doing well," Burkholder said. "He texted us and said he's doing well."

For the next two weeks, Westbrook will be non-weight bearing and then revisit the doctor for an examination. From there, the team will take his rehab "week-to-week," Burkholder said.

The Eagles also had a running back scare in practice when rookie LeSean McCoy injured his hand during 1-on-1 drills. X-rays turned up negative and McCoy was diagnosed with a thumb sprain that will sideline him until next week.

Asked if the team had considered signing another running back for the rest of camp or for training camp, head coach Andy Reid said he was waiting on news from Westbrook's surgery.

"It seems like it's all positive right now," Reid said. "Not that we haven't looked. It's not that we're not on top of the guys that are out there. But do I feel an urgency? No."

EAGLES HOPING FOR SPEEDY WESTBROOK RECOVERY

2009-06-04T13:44:00.003-04:00

Regardless of whether Brian Westbrook is sidelined until the season opener or training camp, it can't be denied that he'll be coming off two offseason surgeries (one knee, one ankle) and already had track record of injuries, including last year's injury-plagued season.

And that's especially troubling this season because Westbrook's backups consist of someone who has never played an NFL snap [Shady McCoy] and someone who played just sparingly last season and didn't demonstrate any glimpse of ability to handle a starting role [Lorenzo Booker].

So what's the mood inside the Eagles locker room? There's no panic. At least not yet. But even Booker admitted that getting over that Super Bowl hump is almost an impossible mission without a healthy Westbrook.

"The good thing is, we're in the beginning of June as opposed to the beginning of August," he said. "Had we been at the beginning of August, we might be in a little more trouble. But he's got June, July and August."

Even if Westbrook does recover before the opener, there are those injuries Westbrook is known to rack up during the season.

Can Booker and McCoy hande the the No.1 job for a temporary or elongated time period, or will the Eagles bring in a veteran in training camp. Someone like, say, Edgerrin James? There's always fullback Leonard Weaver, a darkhorse option.

Either way, it's hard to believe the Eagles can win as they're currently constituted if Westbrook were to miss a significant stretch of the season.

"He's the real deal, so I don't know [if the Eagles can win without Westbrook]," McCoy said. "What he does is remarkable."

EAGLES: NO WORD ON WESTBROOK'S ANKLE

2009-06-03T18:56:00.003-04:00

An Eagles team spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied a report today from Comcast SportsNet's Michael Barkann that Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook has sustained a high-ankle sprain that might require surgery.

Derek Boyko, director of public relations, said a "definitive diagnosis" hasn't been made yet and that Westbrook is still being evaluated.

More definitive information should be available today, Boyko added.

Per the report, which cited a team source, Westbrook was in Baltimore today to have his injured right ankle examined by Dr. Mark Myerson, the same specialist who performed surgery on Terrell Owens in 2004.

If Westbrook undergoes surgery, he should recover in time for the Sept. 13 season opener, the source said.

Westbrook didn't practice with the team Tuesday, when minicamps began. After the practice, coach Andy Reid said he wasn't sure about the extent of Westbrook's injury.

REPORT: NEW DEAL FOR MCNABB IN WORKS

2009-06-03T15:50:00.004-04:00

It appears the job security that Donovan McNabb asked for at the end of last season will be delivered sometime soon.

Citing a league source, Derrick Gunn of Comcast Sportsnet is reporting that the Eagles had been negotiating a contract extension with McNabb for the past month and have paused from extension talks to instead re-work the quarterback's current deal for the next two seasons to reflect McNabb's market value.

McNabb is slated to make $9.2 million this year and $10 million in 2010.

If the agreement goes forth, it satisfies both parties involved.

McNabb would get the comittment he's been seeking since rebounding from an awkward benching to lead the team to the NFC title game for the fifth time in his 10 years.

The Eagles would retain McNabb, 32, for two more years before deciding after the 2010 season whether forge ahead with McNabb or make the move to Kevin Kolb. Both quarterbacks will be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season (McNabb has an opt-out clause).

McNabb might be somewhat misguided on the significance of his potential contact restructure. Yes, it shows the team's commitment to him as its starting quarterback, but McNabb seems to think the money makes all the questions about his job security disappear.

I'm not buying that theory. They pulled him last year and I believe they'd do the same if the situation warranted his benching.

The only thing a new contract would do is allow him to collect top-10 quarterback money even if he sat the bench. Perhaps the gaudier paycheck would ease the pain of riding the pine.

BROWN SKIPS MINICAMP PRACTICE

2009-06-02T13:25:00.004-04:00

Lito Sheppard's recent assertions that Sheldon Brown is destined to follow in the same footsteps could turn out to be true.

Sheppard, you may recall, forced his eventual trade out of town by griping about his contract. He lost his starting job, sunk down the depth chart and was eventually dealt to the Jets in the offseason.

Brown is apparently taking a page from his former teammate and good friend's playbook. He was the only Eagle not in attendance Tuesday for the start of full-squad minicamp. Last year, Sheppard also skipped the voluntary practices.

"Voluntary" is the key word here.

Brown can't be fined for his absence. The only thing he can lose is snaps to veteran corner Ellis Hobbs, acquired by the team from New Englad during the draft as an insurance policy for Brown.

Sheppard, talking to Newsday, recently said the same fate that resulted from his contract dispute will happen to Brown, who made a big public stink about his contract just before the post-draft minicamp, expressed his desire to be traded and didn't hide his disdain for team president Joe Banner.

In other camp news
* RB Brian Westbrook and OT/OG Stacy Andrews, each coming off knee surgery in the offseason, were in attendance. Westbrook didn't work out and Andrews practiced in a limited fashion.

* Still no word on whether Donovan McNabb plans to address the media anytime this decade.

SOURCE: STEWART TO JOIN EAGLES STAFF

2009-05-31T10:02:00.007-04:00

In another sign that Jim Johnson likely won't return to his coaching post, the Eagles are prepareed to add former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart to their staff, according to a team source who confirmed multiple internet reports from the Dallas-Forth Worth area that Stewart and the Eagles had struck a deal.

Stewart hasn't officially signed a contract yet but is in Philadelphia and is expected to sign sometime this week, the source said. The Eagles haven't yet issued any offical announcement.

The team has publicly maintained optimism that Johnson, on an indefinite leave of absence to continue treatment for melanona, would be able to return to his defensive coordinator post.

But the signing of Stewart suggests otherwise.

It's unclear what job Stewart will assume, but his background is the secondary. The Eagles have promoted secondary coach Sean McDermott to interim defensive coordinator while Johnson is away from the team.

Stewart coached defensive backs in San Diego and Houston before joining the Cowboys as defensive coordinator in 2007.

Seeking a shake-up during their fast-fading 2008 season, the Cowboys - a preseason Super Bowl favorite - fired Stewart shortly after the team's 44-6 season-ending loss to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Head coach Wade Phillips had stripped Stewart of play-calling duties earlier in the season and assumed play calling.

Stewart and Eagles coach Andy Reid share a connection from their days at Northern Arizona University, where Stewart played cornerback and Reid coached the offensive line.

MACLIN, MCCOY DISCUSS STRIDES

2009-05-29T13:21:00.003-04:00

The first and only rookie camp for No. 1 and No 2 pick Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy concluded finally - and mercifully - today with one final hour-and-a-half practice at the NovaCare Complex.

After the session, each of them stopped to talk with reporters about the strides they've made since Day 1.

Maclin said questions about his spread offense pedigree at Missouri and his adjustment to intermediate routes of the West Coast offense shouldn't follow him anymore.

"They're coming along just great," he said. "I think that's no longer a question anymore. Anybody who comes from a college has to get used to running routes at the pro level. I don't think that's much of a problem."

Just like Maclin worked on honing a new skill, McCoy exhausted plenty of snaps learning the ins and outs of pass blocking and blitz pick-up from the running back position.

"I've been doing a lot of pass blocking and we didn't even put the pads on yet," he said. "They're just trying to get me ready."

KLECKO AMONG THREE VETS ADDED TO MINICAMP

2009-05-26T17:47:00.004-04:00

Dan Klecko was one of three veterans added to the mix Tuesday when the Eagles reconvened for minicamp, along with cornerback Ellis Hobbs and running back Lorenzo Booker were the other two.

Klecko is, happily, practicing at his native position of defensive tackle - where he's been told he'll stay and be given a chance to compete for a job.

You may recall, the Eagles signed him to play fullback last year despite very limited experience at the position. They moved him to defensive line by training camp, then moved him back to fullback later in the season.

"I got a whole new respect for that position," he told a circle of reporters. "It's tough. But it was fun, it was a great experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world."

Klecko is one of just two tackles at minicamp, along with Jervonte Jackson - the brother of center Jamaal Jackson - and his arrival couldn't be more timely. It appears tackle Amon Gordon, signed by the Eagles in the offseason, is out for a stretch with an apparent Achilles injury that he suffered Thursday. The team still hasn't announced Gordon's injury.

Klecko said he suffered a major calf injury about two months ago but is close to being 100 percent and isn't limited in practice.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOHNSON TAKING LEAVE

2009-05-18T14:53:00.003-04:00

When rookies and selected veterans report to minicamp Wednesday, Jim Johnson won't be there.

Johnson, the Eagles' longtime defensive coordinator, is taking a leave of absence to continue his treatment for cancer, according to the team.

A timetable for Johnson's return wasn't given.

Secondary coach Sean McDermott will fill Johnson's role. McDermott took Johnson's place in the off-season while Johnson undwent treatment.

"Jim and I agreed that he needs to concentrate all of his efforts on his recovery," head coach Andy Reid said in a statement emailed to media outlets. "His health is number one. He's struggling, but he's a tough guy and a true battler. I hope everyone will keep him in their thoughts and prayers during this period of time. We hope to have him back with the team as soon as possible."

Last month, during the team's full-squad minicamp, Johnson said in his press conference that he expected to coach during the 2009 season and had no plans to retire.

"It's a part of my life and it keeps me going," he said of coaching. "I don't feel any different coaching. I'm coaching the same way."

This is Johnson's second bout with cancer. He was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2001.

LITO: WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WILL HAPPEN TO SHELDON

2009-05-16T13:20:00.003-04:00

Lito Sheppard doesn't think he was fairly demoted last season, to the point where he was barely used and didn't even play in the NFC Championship while rookie Quintin Demps was thrown into significant action.

Sheppard also thinks what happened to him last year is destined for his good friend and former teammate Sheldon Brown, the latest Eagles cornerback to go public with his contract dispute.

Sheppard, talking to Bob Glauber of Newsday, said he already knows how Brown's year will pan out.

"He ultimately won't even be playing before the end of the season," Sheppard told Newsday. "It's a known fact. I hope they prove me wrong."

The Eagles are often accused of benching players for contractual reasons, based on their recent history.

Safety Mike Lewis, who refused to sign an extension, was benched midway through his final season in 2006. There were also murmurs last year that linebacker Omar Gaither, who also hasn't agreed to an extension, lost his job for similar reasons.

The common denominator, though, is that Lewis, Gaither and Sheppard weren't playing up to expectations when each was benched. Lewis was getting burned consistently in coverage by every slot receiver. Last year, the team had already demoted Sheppard to a third corner role before the season and there's no arguing that the defense - which shot to No. 1 in the NFC - improved when Akeem Jordan replaced Gaither at the weak side.

Also, for two years the team couldn't sign tight end L.J. Smith and yet the Eagles still paid him over $4.5 million last year as their franchise player. Smith was also benched by the end of the season, but injuries and poor overall play were glaring.

REID: WE ASKED ABOUT ANQUAN

2009-05-13T16:33:00.004-04:00

We promise, this is the last blog posting on Anquan Boldin. (OK, that's probably a lie, but we really hope this is it).

Andy Reid went on 610 WIP's "Morning Show" recently and enlightended the listening audience on the team's draft strategy.

Asked why he drafted Jeremy Maclin instead of trading for a proven talent, like Boldin, Reid said he inquired about the Cardinals' wideout first.

"I'm not sure they really wanted to trade him," Reid told the station. "I'm not sure they really wanted to do that, or else it probably would have happened."

Reid didn't say what the Eagles offered - or if they made an offer - but he made it sound like the asking price on Boldin was unrealistic.

"Let's just say it was a one and a three and a five," he said, referring to the draft picks. "Say it was a Roy Williams [like] deal. That's a lot of picks, No. 1. And then you'r egoing to pay the guy 10 million dollars.

"So you get hit on both sides of it. You're losing what could be three players that make your team, along with paying him a lot of money that takes a big cap hit. I checked into it. I'm not sure that's the direction they wanted to go. They were going to supposedly entertain everything and then take it in but the end result was that they really didn't want to do anything."

IS MCCOY ENOUGH?

2009-05-06T12:04:00.004-04:00

The Eagles' drafting of LeSean McCoy in the second round satisfies a glaring need, but the stable of running backs could still use another body.

Let's assume Brian Westbrook misses at least one game with an injury. What if McCoy hasn't picked up the offense yet and isn't ready to step in, or what if he gets hurt. Then it's back to Lorenzo Booker as the main back.

That can't happen.

It's not entirely out of the question that the Eagles still look to bring in a veteran back, someone with experience and some size, between now and the start of the season. Teams have loaded their rosters, creating competition for the camps. It's very likely a decent running back will become a cap casualty and get cut by a team trying to get younger.

Here's an example: Thomas Jones is unhappy in New York. Say the Jets trade him to Cleveland. Say the Browns then cut Jamal Lewis. There you have a free-agent running back who can come and help your team's running game.

It's that simple.

THE QUESTION THAT WON'T DIE

2009-05-03T13:33:00.003-04:00

In case you're wondering, the regular season doesn't start until Sept. 13.

That's four months and 10 days away. There are still four minicamp/OTAs left, and then training camp.

Still, it didn't stop the time-tested question about Andy Reid's running game -or lack thereof - after the first minicamp concluded Sunday.

Asked about improving upon the run in 2009, Reid said, "We're striving to lead the league in rushing this year."

Get the sarcasm there? He was kidding, of course. But that didn't stop the inquisition. Reid was later asked if he's more focused on running the ball "more efficiently."

"We really strive to run it efficiently. That’s our goal," he said. "I think things get blown way out of perspective on the run game part, as far as the number of runs we do, but we’re going to do what we think is best to win the game.”

Too much made about the run-pass ratio? Gee, who's fault is that?

Anyway, camp concluded Sunday without Donovan McNabb addressing the media at all. At some point this millenium, the franchise quarterback will be coaxed into speaking and then we'll find out how he truly feels - or least what he decides to tell us that day.

By the way, I've failed to point out the last few days that running back Brian Westbrook also hasn't conducted a press conference like he usually does around this time. See, McNabb really is a leader.

BLAME IT ON THE RAIN

2009-05-02T14:13:00.003-04:00

Saturday's morning minicamp practice wasn't Jeremy Maclin's best body of work. Maclin dropped a handful of passes in the individual drills, dropped another during the 7-on-7s and also botched a kickoff return.

Then again, he wasn't alone. A wet ball might have been the problem. Intermittent rain all morning also made for a wet field.

Maclin's first day went off without as many hitches. He generally caught all the passes thrown his way and didn't have any mishaps in the return game. Andy Reid noted that there very few drops from the entire team Friday.

Another observations from the day: Jim Johnson isn't letting his battle against cancer interfere with his duties. He walks with a cane and uses a motorized scooter to get around the practice fields, but his enthusiasm for the job hasn't dwindled.

But you can tell he's not exactly feeling his oats.

"I feel good. I appreciate all the concern about my injury, I really do - from the fans and you guys [in the media]," Johnson said at his press conference between conferences.

"I'm still going through treatment. The biggest thing I'm trying to get now is some pain out my back. I've got some broken bones in the lower part. It allows me not to be on my feet as much, but everything else, I feel fine and just keep working."

OFFENSIVE LINE SHAKE-UP

2009-05-01T13:36:00.011-04:00

Andy Reid's new-look offensive line debuted Friday this morning for the team's first full-squad minicamp practice.

It looked more different than expected.

New left tackle Jason Peters took his spot protecting Donovan McNabb's blindside, but the line's other newcomer - Stacy Andrews - just stood on the sideline and watched. He's still recovering from an ACL tear and probably won't be ready to go until training camp.

The perception was that, for the money he's making, Stacy Andrews would play right tackle. Not necessarily.

Shawn Andrews worked at right tackle and Reid said the two-time Pro Bowl guard will compete for the starting right tackle job.

"Stacy actually played both [guard and tackle], so he gives me a little fleixbility there," Reid said. "I wanted to give Shawn an opportunity. I'm going to give Shawn an opportunity at the right tackle spot and we'll see how he does these camps. I would think that he would do very well."

After the morning practice, in the locker room, Shawn Andrews made it sound like a foregone conclusion that he'd be the right tackle when the season begins.

"I think it's going to be fun out there," said Shawn, sporting a blond mohawk and still-svelte physique. "[Stacy] has no hard feelings about it. He has excelled at guard [with the Bengals]. They didn't say if he was going to play guard or tackle when he first came here."

The moves make sense, since Stacy's injury occurred in the Bengals' last game of the season. Playing inside - for at least one year - would require less lateral movement and put less stress on his knee.

Nick Cole played right guard with the first-team offense in Stacy's place. At left guard was second-year pro Mike McGlynn, not incumbent Todd Herremans. But don't read between the lines there.

Herremans recently underwent minor knee surgery to get some things "cleaned up," Reid said.

Shawn Andrews had been taking sets at left tackle for most of the off-season and planned to be Tra Thomas' succesor, but those plans changed when the Eagles acquired Peters, an All Pro, in a trade with Buffalo.

Other observations
* Donovan McNabb isn't talking to the media - for now. All those questions about his contract and reports that he's not happy with the front office will have to wait until King Donovan decides to indulge us.

* Victor Abiamiri came out with the first defense at left defensive end. He was supposed to start there last season until suffering a major wrist injury in training camp that required surgery and out him out for about two months. He came back and played rush tackle in the nickel while Juqua Parker started.

* Kevin Curtis, who missed time after undergoing sports hernia surgery right before the season opener, had a second procedure done a few weeks ago. He's expected to be back for the OTAs.

* Brian Westbrook, coming off knee surgery, worked out with the team but didn't participate in all drills.

* Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who's battling cancer, traveled around the practice fields on a motorized cart. It didn't stop him from barking orders at his defense.

MINIATURE CAMP SURMISINGS

2009-04-29T18:27:00.002-04:00

There's almost too many compelling storylines surrounding the Eagles as they reconvene this weekend - Thursday, actually - for the first time since leaving the NovaCare Complex following their NFC title loss.

Let's go through the top five stories running through my mind at the moment. Feel free to add any of your own.

1. Donovan McNabb
He's loves the Eagles ... he loves the Eagles not ... he loves the Eagles ... he loves the Eagles not ...

2. Surgery (more specifically, post-ops)
Brian Westbrook, Stacy Andrews and Shawn Andrews are each coming back from them. Stacy's probably not going to participate. Shawn and Westbrook should be out there - but they'll probably be limited. Wonder who's the top backup behind each?

3. Rookies
Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy get thrown into the fire with the big guys. Did you know they drafted players with the nicknames "Shady" [McCoy] and "Macho" [Victor Harris]. I hear this Brandon Gibson guy ain't too shabby, either.

4. Depth chart
Still unsettled [I think] are weak-side linebacker, strong safety [assuming Quintin Mikell takes Brian Dawkins' free safety spot] and - perhaps - center. I don't think Jamaal Jackson's going anywhere, but Nick Cole is breathing down his neck.

5. Corners
Yawn. I refuse to make a bigger deal out of Sheldon Brown's contract griping. And I'll assume he's ahead of Ellis Hobbs on the depth chart until the first camp practice Friday. Friday's practice will also be the first for second-year pro Jack Ikegwuono, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

6 [Hey, if the Big Ten can have 11 teams ...]. Leonard Weaver
Wow, a fullback ... who actually played fullback!

MCNABB: I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD

2009-04-28T15:42:00.005-04:00

Donovan McNabb has spoken. Apparently, he's happy.

McNabb, on his personal blog at Yardbarker.com, made his first public comments since an off-season ESPN.com that the Eagles' quarterback was waiting to see what off-season moves the Eagles made before deciding his next move.

On the blog, McNabb wrote that he's "excited" about meeting his new teammates and "getting to know them and working together on the field.

He also said he's "ready to move forward" and that "it's time to focus on the future."

"We now have a lot of new, young skill position players and it will be exciting and interesting to see how they become acclimated to what we do here," he continued. "If they can come in here and take their game to the next level, they will be productive pros and we can achieve great successes together. I want to welcome the new rookies and am excited to get to work with them."

McNabb also wrote glowing remarks about Jason Peters, Stacy Andrews, Leonard Weaver, Sean Jones, Ellis Hobbs and Rashad Baker.

ROOKIE FREE AGENTS

2009-04-28T11:34:00.005-04:00

Here's a list of bios dispersed by the Eagles about the 13 rookie free agents they signed Monday.

The Eagles have had success with these kind of guys - Quintin Mikell, Jamaal Jackson, Akeem Jordan, Nick Cole - so don't just assume they're camp bodies earmarked for unemployment when the final roster cuts are made.

Josh Gaines
Defensive End, 6-1, 274
Penn State

A defensive co-captain for the Nittany Lions, finished his career with 105 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Became a starter during his sophomore season then rarely came off the field, playing 589 snaps during his junior season and 696 snaps during his red shirt senior campaign. One of 11 children (four brothers and six sisters).

Reshard Langford
Safety, 6-1, 213
Vanderbilt
A four-year starting safety at Vanderbilt, posted 247 tackles (16 for a loss) and eight interceptions. Was a two-year captain at Tanner HS in Tanner, AL, as a running back and safety, earning first-team All-State honors in his senior season.

Marcus Mailei (MY-lay)
Fullback, 6-0, 255
Weber State
A two-time, All-Big Sky selection from 2007-08, recorded 58 receptions for 563 yards and five TDs in his four-year career. Also amassed 161 rushing yards and three TDs. Attended the same high school (Highland) as Eagles LB Stewart Bradley and garnered first-team all-state honors as a senior after rushing for 1,206 yards and 16 TDs.

Walter Mendenhall
Running Back, 6-0, 225
Illinois State
Transferred from Illinois after spending four years with the Illini. In his one season at Illinois State, rushed for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns on 126 carries (6.3 avg in 2008). Earned academic All-Conference honors with a 3.2 GPA at Niles West high school in Skokie, Ill., where he finished his career with over 3,600 all-purpose yards. His younger brother, Rashard, played collegiately at Illinois and was a first round draft pick of the Steelers in 2008.

Dallas Reynolds
Guard, 6-4, 314
Brigham Young
Played all five offensive line positions at BYU and twice garnered first-team All-Mountain West honors – as a left tackle his junior year and as a center his senior year. Attended Timpview HS in Provo, Utah, where he was a team captain and a two-time all-state performer. His father, Lance, is the associate head football coach and running backs coach at BYU, and his older brother, Lance, also played center for the Cougars. His two younger brothers, Matt and Houston, have also signed letters of intent to play there after serving their church missions. A former Eagle Scout, Reynolds served a church mission in Seattle and is married to Suzanne Steele. Born 4/23/84.

Brandon Robinson
Wide Receiver, 5-10, 198
Boston College
Posted 141 receptions, 2,023 yards and 10 touchdowns in his four-year career at Boston College, earning All-ACC honorable mention honors in his junior season. Attended Breck School in Minneapolis, MN, where he earned All-America and Minnesota Prep Player of the Year honors in 2003. He recorded three touchdown catches, a punt return touchdown and a 32-yard field goal in his final high school game. Also starred in soccer, basketball, tennis and track.

Courtney Robinson
Cornerback, 5-11, 200
UMass
A two-time All-CAA selection at cornerback from 2007-08, tallied 101 tackles, five interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 22 knockdowns in his three-year career at UMass. Additionally, is the school's all-time leader in kickoff return yards (1,388) and garnered all-conference accolades as a returner in his sophomore and junior seasons. Appeared in 11 games as a reserve cornerback at UConn in 2005 before transferring to UMass the following year. As the team captain in both football and track at Atlantic high school in Delray Beach, FL, earned first-team all-county honors as a senior defensive back and was the conference champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash.

Sam Swank
Kicker, 6-2, 201
Wake Forest
Finished as the all-time leading scorer at Wake Forest with 337 points. Set school records with 71 field goals and 124 career PATs. Concluded his career ranked 16th in NCAA history in career scoring. Excelled on the football and soccer teams at Fletcher HS in Neptune Beach, FL.

Marcus Thigpen
Running Back, 5-9, 193
Indiana
Finished second in school history with 2,009 career kick return yards, third with 4,658 career all-purpose yards and tied for eighth with 21 career touchdowns. Became the first player in school history to record 1,000 yards rushing (1,621), receiving (1,028) and by kick return (2,009). Amassed eight career rushes of 70 yards or more. Earned first team All-America honors as a sophomore after leading the nation with a 30.1 yard kick return average and three touchdowns on 24 returns. Captured the Michigan 100-meter crown as a senior track athlete at Mumford HS in Detroit, MI. Also clocked a 10.67 100-meter dash to take sixth at the 2007 Big Ten Championship.

DRAFT LEFTOVERS

2009-04-27T20:52:00.002-04:00

Because there wasn't enough conjecture, analysis, guesswork and verbal diarrhea before the NFL Draft, it's imperative we sum up the weekend's events with a few more observations.

* One [more] thing that really stands out about Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy: their age. Each have yet to turn 21, making them among the youngest prospects in the NFL.

* The Ravens were one of just four AFC teams that didn't draft a wide receiver. Wonder if Joe Flacco was waiting to see what moves GM Ozzie Newsome made before deciding whether or not he'd return.

* Speaking of, Eagles coaches Andy Reid said he's on speaking terms with Donovan McNabb [awwww .....] and said the quarterback would report Friday when full-squad minicamp begins. Asked if he believed McNabb was happy with the off-season moves, Reid said, "He is excited." All of us can breathe a big sigh of relief now (except for Kevin Kolb).

* There seems to be the perception that the trade for Ellis Hobbs makes Sheldon Brown expendable. Not so fast.

Behind starters Brown and Asante Samuel, the Eagles were thin. Joselio Hanson is fine at nickelback, but the team can't be certain what to expect from second-year pro Jack Ikegwuono, who missed his entire rookie season to recover from an ACL tear.

Before Hobbs' acquisiton, one sprained ankle puts Hanson at starter and Ikegwuono into the nickel job. For a team that plays nickel and dime as often as the Eagles do, that's a recipe for disaster.

ONE MORE TRADE ...

2009-04-26T13:41:00.009-04:00

(UPDATE, 6:03 p.m.)
The Eagles have made yet another deal, trading one of their two remaining sixth-round picks [222nd overall] to the Colts for a sixth-round pick next season. They have one pick left - mercifully.

(UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.)
The Eagles might have stumbled on a sleeper. They drafted Washington State wideout Brandon Gibson in the sixth round with the 194th overall pick.

Gibson caught just 57 passes for 673 yards and two touchdowns - not exactly the 200-yards-per-game average that first-rounder Jeremy Maclin averaged at Missouri - but his lackluster stats could more be the result of Washington State's abysmal quarterback situation.

According to an AFC college scout whose terrain is the West Coast, Gibson "should have been drafted higher." The scout, who asked not to be identified, called Gibson a "great player" in "a bad situation in college."

Gibson [6-0, 210 pounds] has plus sideline speed, is adept at getting out of press coverage and can elude defenders in the open field. The knock on him is that he doesn't adjust well to poorly thrown passes and doesn't have great instincts.

UPDATE (3:28 p.m.)
The Eagles drafted Virginia Tech corneback Victor Harris and Oregon offensive lineman Fenuki Tupou in the fifth round, then executed yet another deal involving picks.

They traded their last fifth-round pick to New Orleans for a 2010 fifth-round pick and the Saints' seventh-round pick this year [222nd overall].

Harris and Tupou give the Eagles versatility. Harris can play corner and safety. Tupou can play on the outside and interior, those he's projected more for the right side of the offensive line.

Stay tuned. One pick left in the sixth and three left in the seventh.

UPDATE (3:00 pm.):

The Eagles drafted University of Florida tight end Cornelius Engram with the first of their four picks in the fifth round.

A former quarterback recruit, Engram described himself as a "vertical" tight end groomed in the Gators' spread offense, but added that he plans to hone his blocking in the coming months so he can contribute.

****

The Eagles just made their fourth trade this weekend, sending two fifth-round picks [137th and 141st overall] to New England for veteran cornerback Ellis Hobbs.

The deal helps the Eagles shore up the secondary as they brace for a potentially ugly labor dispute with disgruntled cornerback Sheldon Brown, who recently asked to be traded and might get his wish.

Hobbs started every game the past two seasons for the Patriots and is signed through 2009. He had three interceptions last season and has nine in his four-year career.