Post by EagleGene on Jul 20, 2006 20:26:45 GMT -5
News And Notes: Rookies Arrive
July 20, 2006
By ZACH BERMAN
Like their first day of freshman year of college, the Eagles rookies arrived at their dorms on Thursday morning not knowing what to expect.
They unpacked their cars in front of their dorm at Lehigh University for their report date at training camp with a pack of media members waiting to speak with them.
All were excited, albeit with slight trepidation, about reporting and fighting for a spot on the team.
"This challenge is just as much if not more than any challenge I've faced in my athletic career," said wide receiver Jeremy Bloom. "But that's part of the beauty of it."
Bloom, who will miss at least the first day of practice with a hamstring injury, had a lot to unpack. He brought his PlayStation 2, a television, recovery drinks and vitamins. Other players brought items like computers and IPods.
Not that they're expecting to use them, though. Bloom revealed how taxing he's heard training camp is, and that was the consensus among the players interviewed. And it's not just because of Andy Reid's practices.
"I think just the media and the heat put together might get a little taxing," linebacker Chris Gocong said.
With the exception of first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley, they all signed and reported to camp on time. Because spots in the Eagles' lineup is difficult to obtain for rookies, signing and reporting is essential.
"I think it was very important to make it to camp on time to learn plays and get reps," said offensive tackle Winston Justice.
They'll have two and a half days for those increased reps before the veterans arrive. Then, they'll have to prove themselves against the veterans.
"I feel like I'm a freshman again," Justice said. "I'm just trying to make my way."
Big and Small
The Eagles did a good job of sizing up their draft picks in the 2006 NFL Draft. Among their eight selections, fourth-round pick Max Jean-Gillies was the heaviest player selected at 358 pounds and fifth-round pick Jeremy Bloom was the lightest player selected at 180 pounds.
Early Start
The rookies were required to report early. But selected veterans are a handpicked group that come to either recover from injury or jump-start the season.
July 20, 2006
By ZACH BERMAN
Like their first day of freshman year of college, the Eagles rookies arrived at their dorms on Thursday morning not knowing what to expect.
They unpacked their cars in front of their dorm at Lehigh University for their report date at training camp with a pack of media members waiting to speak with them.
All were excited, albeit with slight trepidation, about reporting and fighting for a spot on the team.
"This challenge is just as much if not more than any challenge I've faced in my athletic career," said wide receiver Jeremy Bloom. "But that's part of the beauty of it."
Bloom, who will miss at least the first day of practice with a hamstring injury, had a lot to unpack. He brought his PlayStation 2, a television, recovery drinks and vitamins. Other players brought items like computers and IPods.
Not that they're expecting to use them, though. Bloom revealed how taxing he's heard training camp is, and that was the consensus among the players interviewed. And it's not just because of Andy Reid's practices.
"I think just the media and the heat put together might get a little taxing," linebacker Chris Gocong said.
With the exception of first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley, they all signed and reported to camp on time. Because spots in the Eagles' lineup is difficult to obtain for rookies, signing and reporting is essential.
"I think it was very important to make it to camp on time to learn plays and get reps," said offensive tackle Winston Justice.
They'll have two and a half days for those increased reps before the veterans arrive. Then, they'll have to prove themselves against the veterans.
"I feel like I'm a freshman again," Justice said. "I'm just trying to make my way."
Big and Small
The Eagles did a good job of sizing up their draft picks in the 2006 NFL Draft. Among their eight selections, fourth-round pick Max Jean-Gillies was the heaviest player selected at 358 pounds and fifth-round pick Jeremy Bloom was the lightest player selected at 180 pounds.
Early Start
The rookies were required to report early. But selected veterans are a handpicked group that come to either recover from injury or jump-start the season.