To be honest not really a day off, as teammates and coaches were in meetings all day… but a day off in the sense it gives guys 24 hours to assess their sore bodies and put together a plan to avoid unnecessary pain today…
Too bad that notion does not apply to WR Ron Johnson, who was unceremoniously waived by the team with a relatively paltry injury settlement of $60,000 for the “Wham, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am” award of the day. Geez, thanks for letting us destroy your Eagle dreams, Ron… oh, and here’s a little somethin’…and by the way, Sonbutts could use a car wash, wax and detail on his Infiniti if you need a little extra cash…
I jest somewhat…but it is a cruel business, this NFL, especially if you don’t have brand-name recognition…
I stumbled upon this little photographic gem of Monday’s practice which I titled “WHY?”…
Philadelphia Eagles running backs Chris Polk (32) and LeSean McCoy, right, block each other during NFL football training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Okay, I gotta ask— If you’re going to train a rookie RB like Polk to pass-pro block, you line him up against another running back, right? Seriously— is this really happening or is this photo a fake? OK, maybe I’m being too harsh— maybe McCoy is showing Polk the ropes of what kind of chucks and deke moves a 265-pound defensive end is going to bring against the diminutive rookie Polk in that first preseason game coming up soon… But if this photo represents a live blocking drill, we are doomed from the start…
More notes from Monday— Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry took some heat for knocking down quarterback Mike Kafka during a scrimmage. Quarterbacks are not supposed to be hit.
Rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox took some reps with the first-team defense during the 9-on-7 drills.
Veteran quarterback Trent Edwards did not throw a single pass during the scrimmage or 7-on-7 drills.
Position analysis: Running back-— Returning players: LeSean McCoy (starter), Dion Lewis, Stanley Havili (fullback)
Newcomers: Bryce Brown (draft pick), Chris Polk (free agent), Emil Igwenagu (free agent, fullback), Jeremy Stewart (free agent, fullback)
Outlook: McCoy has emerged as one of the league’s elite backs after rushing for 1,309 yards and scoring a NFL-best 20 touchdowns last season. The Eagles are hoping one of the backups can step up and help reduce McCoy’s workload this season. Lewis, who barely played as a rookie in 2011, has been among the early standouts of camp. Brown and Polk are fighting for the No. 3 spot. There is a chance the Eagles won’t carry a fullback this year.
If the season started today— Coach Andy Reid would have to be fitted for a new game-day wardrobe. He reported to training camp i60 pounds lighter than last season. He ended the first day of camp by walking approximately two mountainous miles to the coaches’ living quarters instead of riding back in an SUV.
What they’re saying— Tackle Demetress Bell, on the Eagles’ training camp compared to Buffalo’s: “Well, it’s fast and it’s a lot of hitting. That’s expected during training camp, but not this much. It’s hard work.”
Congrats to former Northwestern wide receiver Andrew Brewer for being signed to the Eagles TC roster to replace the injured Ron Johnson… Who remembers his Outback Bowl TD?
Brewer (6-3, 215) played two seasons in the UFL with the Omaha Nighthawks (2010-11). He played collegiately at Northwestern and as a senior caught passes from current Eagles quarterback Mike Kafka. He had 57 catches for 925 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior in 2009, and established a Northwestern single-season record with 16.2 yards per catch.
Maybe I’m crazy, but it seems to me if one more serious injury comes to the Eagles WR depth chart, we are looking at a probable veteran free agent signing… and Plaxico is his name-o…
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