Mini-Camp Stuff

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We found out quite a few interesting things after the first practice session of the 2010 season.  One thing has to be stressed.  Just because guys lined up somewhere today does not mean that is where they will play.  The coaches are in a tough bind.  They want to experiment with certain guys.  They also need guys to fill some spots where we are unsure of the depth chart.  For instance, LB Keenan Clayton was told last weekend that he would play the WLB position.  This week he's actually at SAM.  At 6'1, 225 I doubt he has a long future at SAM.  Sure, we could bulk him up, but I think this is just a matter of helping practice to run smoothly.  We've got a bunch of WLBs.  Clayton played SAM in college so he can line up there and be functional.

Macho Harris was the starting FS.  We've heard Big Red talk about the fact he'll play Cb.  I'm guessing that the coaches wanted someone who knew where to be and could help the other guys to line up correctly.  Using Macho at FS for the weekend makes some sense.

Joselio Hanson was the starting RCB.  I said earlier today that he had zero chance of actually getting that job.  I still think that is true.  He just was the right fit for the weekend's practice.

We'll see guys shifted around this weekend.  The coaches are experimenting and will keep an open mind about how best to use the versatile players we've amassed for the 2010 season.  Some notes of interest:

* OC --- Mike McGlynn and Nick Cole split time at Center.  No word on Mischa Barton.  I'm happy that Mike is being given a chance.  I loved him at Pitt.  I have faith in Nick, but it would not shock me to see McGlynn win the job.

* DL --- First unit:  Cole, Bunk, Patt, Juqua.   Second unit:  RE Tapp, Laws, Dixon, LE Graham.  Teo was the LDE on the #3 group.

* Max Jean-Gilles is missing camp because he had Gastro-Bypass surgery.  He had a band put in (or on?).  Good for Max.  I'm not his biggest fan, but it isn't personal.  I've heard he's a pretty good guy.  My beef is that he was too big and not mean enough.  Guys with his natural size should be bullies.  I hope Max comes out of this a lean, mean, blocking machine.  From now on he is Dewey Oxberger.

* Early reports from the Eagles beat writers made it sound as if Kevin Kolb looked pretty good, but that Mike Vick was struggling.  No surprise there.  Vick has never been a gifted practice QB.  I remember watching him in Training Camp in ATL when he would struggle at times in the 7-on-7 drills.  QBs should shine when they don't face a pass rush.

* Stewart Bradley is back.   He is on the field and moving around pretty well from what I gather.  That is great news.  Boy did we miss Disco Stew in '09. 

* No word yet on whether Trevard Lindley looks like a combination of Asomugha, Revis, and Troy Vincent.

* The Eagles added a couple of newbies.  Rookie FA DT Darryl Jackson is here.   Greg Isdaner returned to the team.  Failed physicals opened holes for them.  OG Shawn Murphy and rookie Charles Alexander both failed.  That sounds so harsh. 


The guys are running around in shorts and shirts so you expect everyone to look pretty good.  What you're hoping to see is if someone stands out.  I watched a couple of practice clips and Jason Peters looked terrific in the footwork drills.  He's so much more fluid and agile than the rest of the OL that it isn't funny.  That is just God-given ability.

I am curious to see how the OC battle plays out.  I'm happy that it is an open competition.  I'm sure McGlynn has been dying to get on the field.  He was a 4-year starter at Pitt.  Watching games has to drive him nuts.  At the same time, Cole has been a starter for the last year and a half.  You can bet he doesn't want to sit.

I'm not sure what to make of Juqua Parker being the starter at LDE.  Tapp said he was told by Reid that he was coming here to start.  Could be Juqua is there just to help keep the practice sessions smooth.  I fully expect Tapp or Graham to win that job.  The x-factor here is if the team is trying to deal Juqua and wants to promote the notion that he's a projected starter.  I doubt that's the case, but the Eagles are a crafty bunch when they want to be.

The battle at RCB may not happen for a while.  Hanson started because Macho is still at FS and Ellis Hobbs isn't ready to go.  We need those guys competing to really know what's going on.

I am curious about FS.  I'm hoping Nate Allen gets that job soon.  He has to earn it.  Nothing is given to a rookie.  I think Nate is ready to handle the job and the more reps he has, the better.  Him taking that spot would free up Macho to go to the slot or RCB. 

I know I said I'd talk about McDermott today.  I'm going to push that off til tomorrow.  I don't have time to focus on writing out my thoughts and adding the proper research today. 
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