Sunday Stuff

***

First, quick follow-up to yesterday.  I was wrong with my comment about Drew Brees in relation to the Vikings game.  I was in a rush to leave for a family get-together  and checked the score (31-28), but didn't look at the stats.  Drew was 17-31-197.  He threw 3 TDs.  Those are okay numbers, but hardly great.  I should have checked the stats before making my comment that he "ate up the Vikings and their outstanding D-line". 

It doesn't really change the basic point of what I wrote.  The NFL is unquestionably a passing league at this point and teams are getting better at it year after year.  Our defense has been adjusted during the offseason.  We got younger and deeper at the DE spots.  At the LB level we focused on adding speed and coverage skills.  Don't expect dramatic changes, but you can see that we are adjusting our personnel to the passing attacks we'll have to go through in key games and the postseason (whether 2010 or the future). 


MINI-CAMP NUGGETS

* Andy Reid said that prior to the draft he and Howie Roseman re-watched Macho Harris' college tape to compare how he looked at CB to what guys in this draft class looked like.  Macho mostly played FS this weekend, but it sure sounds like he'll be playing CB down the line. 

* WR Riley Cooper got some time with the 2nd string offense.  He impressed the coaches. 

* WR Chad Hall made a great Red Zone catch.  Adam Caplan spoke highly of Hall and how he looked this weekend.  Prior to the draft I saw a report on him on the Mountain West Network.  Hall caught me off guard with how thick and muscular he looked.  He's still very quick, has great body control, and catches the ball real well.  I'm interested to see what he looks like up at Lehigh. 

* MLB Stewart Bradley moved around really well and impressed everyone.  Reid spoke highly of him.  Caplan was very impressed by what he saw.  This is great news.

* FS Nate Allen was dealing with a quad injury.  That kept him from the team sessions.  Nate did practice in the individual drills.    I was hoping to come away from this weekend with him as the starting FS or pretty close to it.  That didn't happen.  Nate needs to get healthy so he can push for the job.

* Multiple players referred to strength coach Barry Rubin in interviews.  He must have made a real impression this spring.  I've heard good things about him from behind the scenes, but I'm encouraged when so many players have spoken about him.  It isn't like they are being asked either.  These guys are eager to sing his praises.  Macho Harris was actually excited to have another 7 to 8 weeks to continue working out before Training Camp. 

* Big Red and Sean McDermott both talked about SAM linebacker Moise Fokou.  While he isn't a huge guy, Fokou does have some important physical attributes for the spot.  He has long arms.  That helps him to get a good jam on TEs.  Fokou also has a strong punch.  That allows him to really jolt TEs and it helps him to shed blocks.  Reid talked about tough and physical Fokou is.  That's important for someone who has to mix it up with blockers at the line of scrimmage.  He might lack ideal size, but he has a strong upper body.  I know plenty of fans are worried about Moise, but the Eagles really seem to be excited to see what he can do now that he's in his 2nd year.  I was very encouraged by what he said in an interview.  He's not taking it for granted that he's the starter.  He seems focused on the fact that he must prove himself.  That is what you want to hear from a young guy.  Quintin Demps was just the opposite last year.  He got very complacent and lost his edge. 

* Brandon Graham practiced on Friday then went to his graduation ceremony at Michigan and then returned for Sunday practice.  Excellent.  That's the kind of dedication I want from a 1st round pick. 

* Akeem Jordan took some reps as the backup SAM.  That's good.  We don't have a clear backup at that spot.  Akeem will likely be the top backup OLB this year. 

* The QB play got better each day.  Kevin Kolb had a good camp.  Mike Vick improved and looked like he threw the ball pretty well today.  Mike Kafka opened some eyes with his Sunday performance.  He did well in the Red Zone.  This setup is ideal for QBs so you can't make too much of what went on, but it is still encouraging to see the backups doing their part. 

* I loved McDermott's comment on Ernie Sims..."There's a shark in the water."  Sims ability to run and cover ground was very obvious in this type of camp. 

* Watch the Bobby April PC if you get a chance.  I think I"m going to love having him as our STs coach.  
___