Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Eagles training camp schedule

Sunday, July 22, 5 p.m. (Andy Reid) (rookies and selected vets report to camp)

Monday, July 23, 8:45 a.m. (walkthrough) (offensive coaches) and 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 24, 8:45 a.m. (walkthrough) (defensive coaches) and 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 25, 8:45 a.m. (Andy Reid) (remaining veterans report to camp)

Thursday, July 26, 3 p.m. (10/10/10) (closed to fans)

Friday, July 27, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs DL)

Saturday, July 28, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Juan Castillo) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs OL)

Sunday, July 29, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m (autographs DB)

Monday, July 30, 8:15 am (walkthrough) (Marty Mornhinweg) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs WR)

Tuesday, July 31, Players day off; no scheduled media availability

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m.  (military day)

Thursday, Aug. 2, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Bobby April) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs QB, TE, specialists)

Friday, Aug. 3, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs RB, LB)

Saturday, Aug. 4, 8:15 a.m  (walkthrough) (Juan Castillo) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs DL)

Sunday, Aug. 5, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs OL)

Monday, Aug. 6, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Marty Mornhinweg) and 2:45 p.m.  (autographs WR)

Tuesday, Aug. 7, Players day off; no scheduled media availability

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. (mock game) (Andy Reid) (closed to fans)

Thursday, Aug. 9, Pittsburgh at Eagkes, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 10, Players day off; no scheduled media availability

Saturday, Aug. 11, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs DB)

Sunday, Aug. 12, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Juan Castillo) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs RB, LB)

Monday, Aug. 13, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Marty Mornhinweg) and 2:45 p.m. (autographs QB, TE, specialists)

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 8:15 a.m. (walkthrough) (Andy Reid) and 2:45 p.m. (fan appreciation day)

Wednesday, Aug. 15, Players day off; no scheduled availability; break camp

Thursday, Aug. 16, Training camp resumes at NovaCare Complex

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(Below) With Phillies striking out, Eagles training camp looks a lot more promising.

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Bittersweet month for Fletcher Cox

Bittersweet month for Eagles rookie.
One week ago Fletcher Cox felt as discombobulated as a first-round draft pick can be.

Cox had worked his way into the starting rotation at defensive tackle and was looking forward to the Eagles' minicamp.

His life changed forever when his cousin Melvin Baker was killed in an automobile accident. The 21-year-olds did almost everything together.

On Monday Cox agreed to a four-year contract worth $10.24 million. The 12th overall pick in the draft tried to put the life-changing events in perspective during a conference call.

"Dealing with the death in the family, it was a real bad time for me," said Cox, who stayed home in Yazoo City, Miss. to mourn for all but one day of the Eagles' minicamp.  "And I kind of felt it a little bit. But getting the contract signed, it's just a blessing how things work. I mean, Melvin is in a better place right now. And he'll be watching down on me as I play ... every day. Not just on Sundays or Monday nights but even in practices he'll be looking down on me. He wants nothing but the best for me. And that's all I want for him, nothing but the best."

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 Eagles first-round draft pick Fletcher

aximum of $10.241 million over four years, per the slotted system for signing draft pi

passing, like that of his cousin, Melvin Baker, 21, who died in a car wreck. Cox was excused from the first two days of what was, for everybody else, a mandatory minicamp.

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Friday, June 15, 2012

What we learned from Eagles minicamp: QBs

Eagles took a good look at Tannehill but didn't act.
Michael Vick's backup might not be on the 90-man roster.

That's the vibe I'm getting after the offseason workouts.

The Eagles are concerned about Vick's shelf life. That's why the inquired about Peyton Manning, who was coming off a major injury, took a real good look at Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill, and in the third round of the draft, selected Nick Foles.


McNabb (C) would help.
Remember, it's what the Eagles do, not what they say. And if they start the season with Foles, Mike Kafka or Trent Edwards backing up Vick, they're in  major trouble should - some would say when - No. 7 sustains injury.

Spare me the counterpoint that it's the same for any team losing its starting passer. No other starting quarterback plays a style remotely similar to Vick, who also happens to be the smallest No. 1 in the league.


Not saying Foles or Kafka - and that's how I have them firmly rated  right now - cannot play in the league. Just that they're not guys I would count on to win right now. And quite frankly, I'm surprised the Eagles seem to feel this way. It's like the Phillies going into the season knowing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley aren't going to be much help.


But again, it's what the Eagles do, not what they say. Unfortunately they're also running out of time.

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Curry has dreaded high-ankle sprain

Reid expects him back for training camp.
Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry sustained a high ankle sprain last week.


While Curry's ankle heals, head coach Andy Reid explained, the plan is for him to do upper body weight lifting with the rest of the rookies in the coming weeks.

For now Reid is hopeful Curry can participate in training camp, which begins July 22 at Lehigh University.

"Vinny Curry should be back out there," Reid said. "He should be participating."

Curry would have been able to practice on the field with the rookies had he been healthy. He hasn't been able to practice since last week.

Rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox returned for the final day of the mandatory minicamp, having been excused to grieve the loss of a cousin to an automobile accident.


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Contact practices for Eagles training camp start at 2:30 p.m.; single-game tix on sale Thursday

Wonder what's going on there.
If you're getting ready for Eagles training camp, which runs July 22 through Aug. 15 at Lehigh University, you might want to consider the new format.

Those contact practices you looked forward to will run from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or a little later in the afternoons rather than the mornings as has been the case in the past. The morning practices that could start at 8:30 will be glorified non-contact OTAs.

The Eagles feel this is prudent way under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement.

On another note, Eagles single-game tickets  go on sale for all 10 home games next Thursday, June 21, at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at www.philadelphiaeagles.com, Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster (800-745-3000).

Prices range from $70 to $95  with a four-ticket limit per household.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

NFL memo evades drinking issues

About that wedding reception ...
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams warning them about the consequences of drinking.

This is a link.

DUI incidents apparently are on the rise both among players and club personnel.

While I appreciate the heads-up, suggesting that players/employees find a designated driver if they "choose to go out for drinks" implies the Commish fears they won't drink responsibly. And that's an issue worth discussion, not a memo.

So what is Goodell really saying? How  about, don't get caught.

"Know the environment," the memo states. "Avoid trouble spots and places that don't provide adequate security. Don't try to provide your own 'security. by carrying a weapon.

"Use available resources. A variety of resources are available to help you. Contact your Director of Player Engagement, Security Director, the NFLPA , or the NFL Security Department for assistance."

It's hard to imagine a player calling the union or NFL security to plan a night of  drinking.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mudd says Eagles 'will win with Bell'

Mudd says Bell is a winner.
Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd was back at practice Tuesday after missing all of the organized team activities.

Mudd, 71, was excused from the drills to rest an aching hip.

It's early but the veteran coach see's a lot to like in Demetress Bell, signed to replace multiple Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Jason Peters.

Sounds like the offense - and the Eagles, who have lofty expectations - won't miss a beat.

" I don't anticipate changing the entire offense because we don't have Jason Peters," Mudd said. "Will some of the things be less spectacular? Probably. But we can win games with Demetress. We're going to win games with Demetress Bell."

The Eagles worked without first-round draft pick Fletcher Cox, exused to attend the funeral of a cousin killed in an automobile crash according to Andy Reid.

Everyone else was at the mandatory mini-camp that concludes Thursday.

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Eagles signee Frank Trotter, not Donari Poe, voted MVP of Memphis DL

Poe running a 4.91 40-yard dash at 346 pounds.
The Eagles brought defensive tackle Dontari Poe in for a visit before the NFL draft.

On Tuesday they signed Poe's teammate, the reigning defensive lineman of the year at Memphis.

That would be defensive end Frank Trotter, who registered 6 sacks this past season and was added to the Eagle roster on a tryout basis for the three-day minicamp.

Trotter (6-2, 275 is built like but not related to former Eagles middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Frank Trotter was  cut after a tryout with the Jaguars.

The Eagles signed two others on a tryout basis.

One is linebacker Ryan Rau (6-1, 230), No. 34 in this highlight tape from his 2011 season at Portland State.

The other is wide receiver Raymond Webber (6-3, 225), the product of Arkansas-Pine Bluff cut most recently by the Seahawks.

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Eagles employees officially learned Joe Banner stepped aside in an email

Big Red has final say in football matters.
The Eagles told  their employees in an  email early this morning that Joe Banner is out as team president.

This follows reports in Delcotimes.com that Banner had stepped aside and Andy Reid, the head coach/vice president of football operations, was back firmly in control of football operations.

The Eagles confirmed through football media relations director Derek Boyko that Don Smolenski, formerly COO, succeeded Banner as president.

Boyko revealed Eagles employees were sent an email at 5:28 am announcing  the changes and a news conference to address the matter at 2:30 p.m. today.

Evidence of the change in leadership has been apparent for months.

Embattled defensive coordinator Juan Castillo is back, proof that Reid flexed his muscles with the power he has over his staff. A source said Reid was preparing an exit strategy in case the Eagles let him go following the 8-8 season.

The often contentious renegotiations with veteran players that were part of the Banner era have all but ended, the team  making DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy happy with long-term deals. Several other vets were rewarded as well.

Reid sat in with Roseman during negotiations with McCoy's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to make sure that deal got done. Rosenhaus was floored by Reid's involvement, unprecedented in his numerous dealings with the Eagles.

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No doubt about it, Big Red is The Man.


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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

BREAKING: Add Curry to Eagles injury report

Sore back.
Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry sprained an ankle late in the Tuesday practice and sat out the Eagles' OTA today. Curry is out indefinitely.

Linebacker Casey Matthews sat out a second straight day of Eagles practice due to what a team spokesman called a sore back. Don't look for Matthews to return this week.

The Eagles also were without Nnamdi Asomugha for a second straight day, the cornerback taking care of personal business. Asomugha might take Thursday off as well, the practices of course, voluntary in nature.


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Monday, June 4, 2012

UPDATED: DRC a weather-related no show

If you're in the area give us a call.
The Eagles understood wide receiver DeSean Jackson would take this week off from organized team activities to take care of family business.

They also were under the impression that cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who probably has had the best offseason of all the Eagles, would continue to be part of the voluntary practices.

But DRC wasn't around Monday and we'll soon find out what was up with him.

A teammate indicated DRC - who resides in Arizona - was absent because of the bad weather resulting in cancellation of Sunday flights.

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Friday, June 1, 2012

UPDATED: Babin, Maclin OK after run-in

His right ankle is a little sore, too.
Jeremy Maclin returned to  work the day after pulling himself out of a drill with a sore ankle.

And it didn't take long for him to make his presence felt as he engaged defensive end Jason Babin, who tried to strip him after a reception.

"It's football,"  Babin said. "I think he was more upset with the DB."


That would be Nnamdi Asomugha, who bumped Maclin before the reception.

Maclin exited practice swiftly, avoiding most of the media. 

The good news for Maclin was that in contrast to Thursday, when the starting wide receiver was limited at practice, he barely had any tape protecting the foot.

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