Eagles Chat: Early camp impressions

Bob Brookover:

I'm here if anybody has any questions, fire away.

Peter:

What did you think about Donovan's professed support for Michael Vick?

Bob Brookover:

Peter, I didn't have a big problem with it. All he basically said was he's supporting Michael Vick. He didn't condone dog fighting. That would have been a problem.

Archer:

Bob, any surprise standouts so far at camp?

Bob Brookover:

Archer, it's too early to tell if there are any surprises that will last, but second-year offensive guard Max-Jean Gilles has looked much improved from last year and Jeremy Bloom looks like he could contribute as a WR and returner.

Dan:

ESPN said no way McNabb's a lock for the Hall of Fame. What do you think?

Bob Brookover:

I'd agree with ESPN. If McNabb leads the Eagles or any other team to a Super Bowl before he's done, he'd probably be a lock then. Right now, though, he needs to improve his resume to get to Canton.

Jesse:

Bob, how's Bunkley looking so far in camp, and do you think he'll be a guy the Eagles can actually depend on?

Bob Brookover:

Jesse, so far Bunkley has looked very good. He had a real good day today. I know the Eagles really have a lot of confidence in him and he came into camp in great shape and with a great attitude.

Ed:

What rookie will crack the starting line u this year? Stong side LB from Neb. or tight end from U of Cincy?

Bob Brookover:

Ed, I think both Stewart Bradley and Brent Celek will have a hard time getting into the starting lineup. I don't think the Eagles will have a rookie starter. My best educated guess is that Celek and Tony Hunt will make the biggest contributions among the rookies.

Joe:

Hi Bob. I have two questions. From your prospective who has been the standout in camp so far, and does it seem the injuries to Dawk and Lito will hold them out of significant time? Thanks!

Bob Brookover:

Joe, I'll answer the second one first. I think Dawk and Lito will both be fine just from watching their demeanor when they leave the field house after practice. As far as the standout at camp, it's been fun to watch the enthusiam Takeo Spikes brings to the first-team defense. It's almost like watching a second Trotter out there.

John:

Any chance the starting linebackers this year could be spikes/gocong/gaither and not have trotter part of the mix? And think any news will be forthcoming about LJ or just let him play the season out? Thanks.

Bob Brookover:

John, I don't think Gaither will start over Trotter as long as Trotter is healthy, which he appears to be so far. Gaither, however, will get some snaps as a third-and-long linebacker in the middle.

Eddie Welch:

Is there any chance Trotter will be cut?

Bob Brookover:

As you can probably tell by my previous answer, I don't think Trotter will be cut. He's come into camp in great shape and he's determined to show he can play. He told me during the minicamps that he wants to have a comeback season like Dawkins did last year.

Jesse:

Next question Bob, Does Rocca have a legitimate shot to be our punter this year? The image of Bennett from the Chargers a couple of years ago is what I'm seeing. Can he really beat out Johnson?

Bob Brookover:

Rocca definitely has a chance to be the punter. He'll have to be consistent in preseason games, but he definitely has a stronger leg than Dirk Johnson. He hit another 68-yarder today.

Joe:

Only 2 years ago the eagles spent a 2nd round pick on undersized, unproven lb matt mccoy. does he make the roster? is he even an nfl player?

Bob Brookover:

Joe, McCoy is definitely a bubble guy to make the roster. He'll have to have a great camp and strong preseason to make it. If he doesn't, he'll probably get work somewhere else at least for a season.

tessmalone:

Andy places great weight on continuity along the offensive line. Do you see the same five nucleus that finished 06 so strong remaining a unit?

Bob Brookover:

I think the same five will continue to be the starters, but Gilles could push Herremans if he doesn't perform well at guard.

Jesse:

My last concern: If [William] Thomas starts getting gimpy with that back again, should we be worried that Winston Justice might have to step in? Can this kid really play, or is his fall to the second round of the 2006 draft indicative of his abilities?

Bob Brookover:

Jesse, I hate to say a kid can or can't play until he actually gets on the field and Justice didn't dress for an entire game last year. It's one of those things that you really can't find out until he's thrown into the fire.

Mark:

So, Considine I assume at safety? And do you think Baskett or Avant will play the slot?

Bob Brookover:

I think you'll see both Baskett and Avant lining up in the slot at different times depending on what matchup Reid and Mornhinweg think they can get. I do think Baskett will be on the field a little more than Avant, but they'll both get their chances.

Calvin Watts:

What is the upside to Mike Patterson?

Bob Brookover:

Calvin, I think Mike Patterson can be a solid starting defensive tackle, but I don't think he'll be a star at the position. I think Bunkley actually has star potential and if he becomes one the Eagles will have an outstanding d line. While we're on the subject of D tackles, LaJuan Ramsey is another guy who has looked good so far in camp. Actually has beaten Andrews a few times.

benny manguno:

barksdale, real or a flyer?

Bob Brookover:

Raw. Very raw. He hasn't played much football. I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up on the practice squad.

baldy dom:

Defense was an eagles signature which seems to have disappeared. Can this defense be dominant?

Bob Brookover:

Like the question almost as much as the name. The Eagles' defense really hasn't been a dominant bunch since the 2001 and 2002 seasons and I think they need to get back to that level if they want to get back to the Super Bowl. I do like the depth of this defense, but with a lot of older guys, they have to stay healthy.

Toby:

Why are people calling Bunkley a bust? He hasn't even had a chance to play yet. This town seems so quick to pre-judge players.

Bob Brookover:

Agreed Toby. You can't call a guy a bust after one season, but I think the vast majority of Eagles fans are willing to reserve that sort of opinion for a later time.

sallli d:

was [Brady] Quinn on the radar before the Browns moved up to nab him?

Bob Brookover:

Love to answer the ND questions because my daughter goes there. The answer is no. Quinn wasn't on their radar screen. The Eagles had Kolb ranked ahead of Quinn.

kelli washburne:

Will Kearse ever regain the form that won him all the respect early on?

Bob Brookover:

Another good question. I'm not sure he'll ever be the same player he was as a rookie with the Titans, but he has looked really good in these early days of camp, especially for a guy coming off such a serious knee injury. If he can play at the level he was playing at the first two games last season, the Eagles will have a great rotation at DE.

george thomas:

you write McCoy off--yet in college he hit everything that moved. Possible he is being misused?

Bob Brookover:

George, I didn't write McCoy off. I said he really needs to show something in this camp and during the preseason. I never saw him play much in college, but I think his size (or lack of it) was a problem last year for several reasons. There were times I watched video the day after and he was getting blown off the ball by the much bigger offensive linemen.

Bill:

Is the receiving corps going to be able to do the job, separation and making tough catches for first downs?

Bob Brookover:

I like this receiving corps. Kevin Curtis is fast and has excellent hands. I think Reggie Brown is going to get better and Avant and Baskett are solid slot guys.

allie boy:

On ND guys--what are the observations on the DE--remember also he is a baby?

Bob Brookover:

Jim Johnson said he was impressed by Abiamiri the first two days and that's a good compliment from a guy who isn't real quick to praise rookies.

Mike in Seattle:

Interesting that you think Tony Hunt will contribute as a rookie. Rookies usually take a lot of time to pick things up and get into Reid's O. What is Hunt doing differently to make you think he's going to get in this season?

Bob Brookover:

When I say contribute, I mean he'll have some kind of role. He might be the power back they give the ball to on third-and-short. Plus, he plays a positioin where guys are always getting hurt, so that makes it more plausible that he'll see the field more than some of his rookie teammates.

Rick:

Re the DL: Has Monte Reagor gotten on the field yet? Has Ian Scott made any impression?

Bob Brookover:

Both Reagor and Scott are banged up. Reagor hasn't practiced yet and Scott was out today, so, no, I haven't seen much from either of them.

gavin malone:

Bloom reminds me of Tommy Mcdonald.another guy they said was to small-yet was never injured-more quick than fast

Bob Brookover:

Fortunately, I'm too young to remember Tommy McDonald, but I did see his kid play at Delaware. Bloom is definitely fast. His big challenge will be cleanly handling punts.

california johnny:

is Herrmans the weak link on the OL?

Bob Brookover:

Cali, Seattle, the left Coast is well represented here. Herremans had a good season last year, but I think Gilles is a strong-bodied kid who has really trimmed down. I don't want to say Herremans is the weak link, but he has a really good player behind him.

Markku from Finland:

Baskett had two 80 plus yard receptions. Yet some say him slow. How can that be?

Bob Brookover:

All right, we've officially gone international. He's not slow, Markku. He's actually deceptively fast because he's a big guy with long strides.

Mike in Seattle:

Does Moats or Ilaoa (sp?) from Hawaii make the roster? How have they looked so far?

Bob Brookover:

Norman, I know the team's history very well. I just wasn't alive to witness it. I'm a firm believer that Al Wistert belongs in the Hall of Fame and that goes back beyond Concrete Charlie and the boys.

Jesse:

Since I live in Pittsburgh now, what are the chances I get to see McNabb play in that preseason game?

Bob Brookover:

Jesse, if McNabb is healthy, which he is right now, you'll not only see him play against the Steelers, you'll see him play longer than at any point in the preseason. That's always the case in the third preseason game.

Mario from Como:

Bob -- another Philly native in Europe. You see Bradley in an Urlacher mode?

Bob Brookover:

Mario, way too early to put Bradley in the Urlacher class.

Hao Tsu from China:

You say the Eagles had Kolb ranked higher than Quinn. Really? Will he be another Donovan? Booed draft pick turned star?

Bob Brookover:

"Bob from Delran" just doesn't sound too exciting after seeing these names. Anyway, I like what I've seen of Kolb so far. He makes quick decisions and knows how to find an open receiver. I think he'll be a different type of quarterback than McNabb, but he has a chance to be real good.

Jesse:

What's your take on the whole Mike Vick situation? Are you as befuddled as I am, not that this case isn't disgusting and worthy of coverage, but don't you wish that the domestic violence incidents that players are involved in got as much media scrutiny as this does?

Bob Brookover:

Jesse, People love their pets. I was watching highlights from the Tour De France and a rider tumbled over a dog and the comment from the newscaster was "I hope that dog is all right."

Bob Brookover:

All right, I want to thank everybody for all the questiions from around the world. This will be the first of many this season. Take care. Enjoyed it.