Post by EagleGene on Jul 29, 2006 20:27:39 GMT -5
I Know It's Early In Training Camp, But ...
July 29, 2006
The reality is stunning: There are 40 days remaining until the Eagles meet the Texans in Houston. Forty days. So much will happen between now and then.
In the second week of a hot, hot, hot training camp -- projected temperatures are in the 90s through Thursday -- the Eagles have the distinct look of a team that is a work in progress.
There have been many good things to watch and discuss and debate. There have been some question marks that have not yet been answered. Through one week, this is what sticks out to me ...
The defensive line is absolutely legit. There has not been, in my memory, a deeper, more talented group in an Eagles training camp. The additions of Darren Howard and Ed Jasper, plus the emergence of rookie LaJuan Ramsey, have provided a tremendous boost to this group.
Jerome McDougle is the comeback player of the camp (although he has competition; more on that later) and if he keeps up his burst and plays the way he has been playing, he's going to be a tremendous factor.
Howard is such a terrific player. I've been so impressed with his technique, his speed and his economy of moves at both end and tackle. I also think the fact that he feels good about being an Eagle will play a positive role in his performance this season.
With Howard, McDougle, Jevon Kearse, Trent Cole and Juqua Thomas, the Eagles have a really promising group of edge rushers. With Mike Patterson, Darwin Walker (who was having a good camp until he tweaked his quad), Sam Rayburn, Jasper, Ramsey and Keyonta Marshall, the Eagles have promising depth inside.
When Brodrick Bunkley reports -- I am guessing that it will be within the next four days and that he will be in uniform for the Hall of Fame game -- the Eagles are going to be loaded.
This group needs to remain healthy, of course, but there is no doubt it is the best overall group on the team.
A close second is the quarterback position. I think Jeff Garcia may be the top No. 2 quarterback in the league. He runs a good offense and shows a veteran's resiliency in the pocket. I also like the way Garcia has thrown the deep ball. He's been accurate, timely and understanding of the offense.
At No. 3, Koy Detmer is way ahead, as I see it, in his battle with Timmy Chang. Detmer has had a good camp. He hasn't been particularly productive these last two regular seasons, so the real test will come in preseason games. I want to see Detmer put some points on the board.
Some depth chart updates: Jamaal Jackson is the unquestioned starter at center. He has taken all the reps with the starters. Dirk Johnson has been doing the holding on field goals. Dhani Jones has given way to Greg Richmond for a few reps, but Jones looks like the undisputed starter at the SAM linebacker position. Josh Parry is miles ahead at fullback, in large part because both Thomas Tapeh and Jason Davis have battled injuries (Tapeh is back in practice after missing time with a hamstring spasm and Davis is out with a fractured hand). Actually, Stephen Spach has gotten some really good looks at the fullback position.
Let's talk about the wide receivers, shall we? I like this group overall, and I am starting to see separation. If I were to rate the receivers based strictly on practice, I would go with Reggie Brown, Jabar Gaffney, Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis 1-4. Todd Pinkston has been limited in practice, but he caught the ball beautifully and ran and leaped well in Saturday afternoon's 10-10-10 practice. Justin Jenkins and Darnerien McCants are neck-and-neck on my list, while Carl Ford is just behind them. Bill Sampy is probably next in line, followed by Michael Gasperson and then J.J. Outlaw.
I am hoping that Jason Avant, who is stepping up his rehab and could be back soon, will make an immediate impact when he returns. Jeremy Bloom has been working hard to get back, too. I think the Eagles will be extra-careful with that balky hamstring.
Everything I have heard about Matt McCoy has been positive. We shall see when the games start. He's aggressive, he's making few mental mistakes and he'll hit you. The lasting challenge will be his ability to shed blocks.
It was encouraging to see William Thomas on the field and moving well on Saturday afternoon. I don't like hearing that he has back issues, but they are apparently not related to his past disc woes.
The left side of the offensive line is still not as solvent as you would like right now, but that's where those 40 days come into play. There is time for Thomas to round into shape and get ready. There is time to get Winston Justice ready if the team feels concern for Thomas. There is time for Todd Herremans to work out the kinks of playing his new position of guard.
Another offensive line note: If Shawn Andrews doesn't make the Pro Bowl and dominate week in and week out, I will be disappointed.
Jeremiah Trotter hasn't stopped chattering since he arrived in camp. He is as fired up a player as I've seen.
Matt Schobel is going through a tough couple of days. He struggled to catch the ball in Saturday morning's practice, but came back and caught the ball well in the afternoon. Schobel is dropping easy passes. He didn't drop a thing in the spring. His slump is clearly mental, so it will be interesting to see how he rebounds.
What makes the story even more intriguing is that second-year man Andy Thorn is having a fine camp. He had one drop in the afternoon on Saturday, but he has largely been flawless catching the ball. Thorn is one of the most improved players on the team.
Matt Ware looks like he is playing more safety than cornerback these days. And he looks like he is very much at home there, too.
J.R. Reed and Bruce Perry should be 1 and 1A on the depth chart as kickoff return men for the game against Oakland. I would think that duo could provide some dynamite in the return game.
My view on running backs hasn't changed a bit. The Eagles have enough here to be outstanding -- I assume that Ryan Moats will be fine when I make that statement. Brian Westbrook is having the best camp of his life and Bruce Perry has been solid. He is stepping up. I like what Reno Mahe has done -- he is just a do-everything-right player. Correll Buckhalter looks awesome -- cross your fingers -- and I look forward to seeing him in contact very soon.
The Eagles do not need another running back.
Speaking of which ... I have absolutely seen more emphasis on the running game in this camp. Does that mean anything? Maybe. Maybe not. But they are working on it more here than in recent camps.
Tapeh leveled Cole on a blocking play in the morning on Saturday. I need to see more of that.
I need to pay more attention to Dirk Johnson and Reggie Hodges. Then again, we have five games to judge them.
Quintin Mikell practiced on Saturday afternoon. He's a tough guy after taking such a brutal hit to the eye on a play earlier in the week when L.J. Smith lowered his shoulder and slammed Mikell.
To me, Trey Darilek looks more comfortable at tackle than he does at center or at guard. He is moving around between guard and tackle in this camp.
Max Jean-Gilles has improved a lot in the last week.
Ditto Omar Gaither. He's really quick shooting a gap.
J.R. Reed doesn't appear to have skipped a beat, so the nexts step is this: Can he play at a super-high speed in a preseason game? The Hall of Fame game awaits ...
July 29, 2006
The reality is stunning: There are 40 days remaining until the Eagles meet the Texans in Houston. Forty days. So much will happen between now and then.
In the second week of a hot, hot, hot training camp -- projected temperatures are in the 90s through Thursday -- the Eagles have the distinct look of a team that is a work in progress.
There have been many good things to watch and discuss and debate. There have been some question marks that have not yet been answered. Through one week, this is what sticks out to me ...
The defensive line is absolutely legit. There has not been, in my memory, a deeper, more talented group in an Eagles training camp. The additions of Darren Howard and Ed Jasper, plus the emergence of rookie LaJuan Ramsey, have provided a tremendous boost to this group.
Jerome McDougle is the comeback player of the camp (although he has competition; more on that later) and if he keeps up his burst and plays the way he has been playing, he's going to be a tremendous factor.
Howard is such a terrific player. I've been so impressed with his technique, his speed and his economy of moves at both end and tackle. I also think the fact that he feels good about being an Eagle will play a positive role in his performance this season.
With Howard, McDougle, Jevon Kearse, Trent Cole and Juqua Thomas, the Eagles have a really promising group of edge rushers. With Mike Patterson, Darwin Walker (who was having a good camp until he tweaked his quad), Sam Rayburn, Jasper, Ramsey and Keyonta Marshall, the Eagles have promising depth inside.
When Brodrick Bunkley reports -- I am guessing that it will be within the next four days and that he will be in uniform for the Hall of Fame game -- the Eagles are going to be loaded.
This group needs to remain healthy, of course, but there is no doubt it is the best overall group on the team.
A close second is the quarterback position. I think Jeff Garcia may be the top No. 2 quarterback in the league. He runs a good offense and shows a veteran's resiliency in the pocket. I also like the way Garcia has thrown the deep ball. He's been accurate, timely and understanding of the offense.
At No. 3, Koy Detmer is way ahead, as I see it, in his battle with Timmy Chang. Detmer has had a good camp. He hasn't been particularly productive these last two regular seasons, so the real test will come in preseason games. I want to see Detmer put some points on the board.
Some depth chart updates: Jamaal Jackson is the unquestioned starter at center. He has taken all the reps with the starters. Dirk Johnson has been doing the holding on field goals. Dhani Jones has given way to Greg Richmond for a few reps, but Jones looks like the undisputed starter at the SAM linebacker position. Josh Parry is miles ahead at fullback, in large part because both Thomas Tapeh and Jason Davis have battled injuries (Tapeh is back in practice after missing time with a hamstring spasm and Davis is out with a fractured hand). Actually, Stephen Spach has gotten some really good looks at the fullback position.
Let's talk about the wide receivers, shall we? I like this group overall, and I am starting to see separation. If I were to rate the receivers based strictly on practice, I would go with Reggie Brown, Jabar Gaffney, Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis 1-4. Todd Pinkston has been limited in practice, but he caught the ball beautifully and ran and leaped well in Saturday afternoon's 10-10-10 practice. Justin Jenkins and Darnerien McCants are neck-and-neck on my list, while Carl Ford is just behind them. Bill Sampy is probably next in line, followed by Michael Gasperson and then J.J. Outlaw.
I am hoping that Jason Avant, who is stepping up his rehab and could be back soon, will make an immediate impact when he returns. Jeremy Bloom has been working hard to get back, too. I think the Eagles will be extra-careful with that balky hamstring.
Everything I have heard about Matt McCoy has been positive. We shall see when the games start. He's aggressive, he's making few mental mistakes and he'll hit you. The lasting challenge will be his ability to shed blocks.
It was encouraging to see William Thomas on the field and moving well on Saturday afternoon. I don't like hearing that he has back issues, but they are apparently not related to his past disc woes.
The left side of the offensive line is still not as solvent as you would like right now, but that's where those 40 days come into play. There is time for Thomas to round into shape and get ready. There is time to get Winston Justice ready if the team feels concern for Thomas. There is time for Todd Herremans to work out the kinks of playing his new position of guard.
Another offensive line note: If Shawn Andrews doesn't make the Pro Bowl and dominate week in and week out, I will be disappointed.
Jeremiah Trotter hasn't stopped chattering since he arrived in camp. He is as fired up a player as I've seen.
Matt Schobel is going through a tough couple of days. He struggled to catch the ball in Saturday morning's practice, but came back and caught the ball well in the afternoon. Schobel is dropping easy passes. He didn't drop a thing in the spring. His slump is clearly mental, so it will be interesting to see how he rebounds.
What makes the story even more intriguing is that second-year man Andy Thorn is having a fine camp. He had one drop in the afternoon on Saturday, but he has largely been flawless catching the ball. Thorn is one of the most improved players on the team.
Matt Ware looks like he is playing more safety than cornerback these days. And he looks like he is very much at home there, too.
J.R. Reed and Bruce Perry should be 1 and 1A on the depth chart as kickoff return men for the game against Oakland. I would think that duo could provide some dynamite in the return game.
My view on running backs hasn't changed a bit. The Eagles have enough here to be outstanding -- I assume that Ryan Moats will be fine when I make that statement. Brian Westbrook is having the best camp of his life and Bruce Perry has been solid. He is stepping up. I like what Reno Mahe has done -- he is just a do-everything-right player. Correll Buckhalter looks awesome -- cross your fingers -- and I look forward to seeing him in contact very soon.
The Eagles do not need another running back.
Speaking of which ... I have absolutely seen more emphasis on the running game in this camp. Does that mean anything? Maybe. Maybe not. But they are working on it more here than in recent camps.
Tapeh leveled Cole on a blocking play in the morning on Saturday. I need to see more of that.
I need to pay more attention to Dirk Johnson and Reggie Hodges. Then again, we have five games to judge them.
Quintin Mikell practiced on Saturday afternoon. He's a tough guy after taking such a brutal hit to the eye on a play earlier in the week when L.J. Smith lowered his shoulder and slammed Mikell.
To me, Trey Darilek looks more comfortable at tackle than he does at center or at guard. He is moving around between guard and tackle in this camp.
Max Jean-Gilles has improved a lot in the last week.
Ditto Omar Gaither. He's really quick shooting a gap.
J.R. Reed doesn't appear to have skipped a beat, so the nexts step is this: Can he play at a super-high speed in a preseason game? The Hall of Fame game awaits ...
