Eagles Notes: Ex-teammates heap praise on Westbrook

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The young Eagles said they were happy for Brian Westbrook now that the former Bird has signed with the 49ers, praising him as a teacher for many of those now stepping into leadership roles.

"Brian was one of my mentors and one of the leaders on our team," said quarterback Kevin Kolb. "He never took that superstar role very serious and he always knew he was a humble guy and that was good for young players to see."

LeSean McCoy, who is trying to step into Westbrook's cleats as the team's lead running back, said Westbrook "embraced" him from the start.

"He treated me like a little brother," McCoy said, recalling some nights when he slept on Westbrook's couch. McCoy was back at practice after sitting out Monday with a bruised thigh.

Westbrook's signing sets up back-to-back reunion games for the Eagles.

After the McNabb Bowl against the Redskins in Philadelphia on Oct. 3, the team travels to San Francisco on Oct. 10.

"I can't wait, man. I'll probably give him a big hug," McCoy said.

Center Mike McGlynn expects to get another chance to make his case for a starting job Friday night. He said he expects to play with the first-team offense for one half against the Bengals in the Eagles' second preseason game.

McGlynn, who has filled in for the recuperating Jamaal Jackson and Nick Cole, is fighting for his first significant role in the NFL and received positive reviews for his play against Jacksonville in the team's first preseason game.

"Everything's going in the right direction right now," McGlynn said after Tuesday's morning practice.

Cole has not practiced regularly since leaving with knee soreness Aug. 7. Jackson, who appears ahead of schedule in his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is still limited in practice, although he has taken the field for some drills.

Coach Andy Reid has stood behind Cole, but he appeared to leave the door open for a change earlier this week. "Right now, Nick's the guy, but we just have to see how things work here," Reid said Sunday.

Asante Samuel left practice Tuesday morning with what the team called a hamstring "tweak" on the left side. The Eagles did not provide further detail, but the injury is not believed to be serious.

Samuel walked off the field without assistance. He missed an early stretch of camp with hamstring "spasms," according to the team.

Fellow cornerback Ellis Hobbs sat out with an illness that he said came from some "bad cereal." Not quite Brent Celek's old cherry cheesecake - which forced him to miss an earlier practice - but close. Hobbs expects to practice on Wednesday.

Tight end Cornelius Ingram was also limited in the morning session as the team continued to try to ease the impact on his knee. Cole was still out, as was running back Mike Bell (hamstring).

The Eagles are working on new ways to get Brandon Graham involved in the defense.

After showing great speed from the defensive end spot early in camp, the top draft pick set up on the inside of the defensive line for some plays Tuesday. Already eager to get to the quarterback, Graham said playing inside means he doesn't have to worry about containment responsibilities on the edge of the defense. He can just rush the passer.

He also dropped into coverage on some plays, once starting near the line of scrimmage and running deep downfield to help double-team a wide receiver.

Chad Hall made the play of the day on a flea-flicker from Mike Kafka. Geoff Pope had good coverage and had a better angle at the ball, but the 5-foot-8 Hall pulled the deep pass in. DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett rushed out to congratulate him. Hall is making a push for a job, but is still a long shot at a crowded receiver position. . . . The first-team offense got into the end zone a couple times from the 10-yard line, once on a Kolb pass to an open J.J. Arrington and once on a Kolb strike to Jackson in the back of the end zone. Nate Allen was beaten on the play.