Bob Brookover: Hi everyone. Just back from the practice fields at Lehigh and ready to take your questions.

Chris: With Gocong seeming to be the future at SAM linebacker and Gaither at MIKE, where does Stewart Bradley fit in to the Birds' future plans?

Bob Brookover: You never know how things are going to shake out at the LB position. If you look at all the guys who have flanked Trotter during his career, it's obvious that's a position in almost constant transition for the Eagles. Bradley just needs to show he's a tough, physical guy on special teams right now.

Nate: Westbrook is apparently out of camp, any word on whether everything is ok?

Bob Brookover: Westbrook came back yesterday afternoon and is fine. He was at a funeral for a friend down in Maryland.

Tom: Do you think injuries will make Andy Reid rethink his camp strategy for next year? He is known to have more hitting and contact than most coaches.

Bob Brookover: I don't think Andy's going to change his stance on hitting. He's been doing it this way for nine years and he's encountered similar situations in the past. A lot of the injuries don't have anything to do with hitting. L.J. Smith, for example, wasn't hurt in a contact drill Thursday.

Joe: Hey Bob. Any word on Jon Runyan's injury? I know they said back tightness, but does it appear to be serious? Also any updated reports on any of the other wounded birds? Thanks I appreciate your work.

Bob Brookover: I saw Jon leaving practice today and he said he'd be all right. The man hasn't missed a game in years, so I suspect he'll be fine.

Les: What's been going on with Westbrook? Why has he been missing camp?

Bob Brookover: I think you know the answer to that one, Les.

Kris: Is Tony Hunt going to get a reasonable amount of carries early in the season?

Bob Brookover: I don't know what your definition of reasonable is Kris, but I wouldn't expect Tony Hunt to be too big a part of the offense as a rookie unless there are injuries to Westbrook or Buckhalter. Even Westbrook didn't touch the ball too much as a rookie playing behind Duce Staley and Dorsey Levens.

Dan, NorthEast: How would you compare this camp to last ones (This one seems quieter and a little monotone). Is that a good sign or should we worry?

Bob Brookover: Jeffrey Lurie pointed out the other day that when he gave his state-of-the-team address two years ago there was a violent thunderstorm sending lightning strikes down around the outdoor tent. The real storm didn't hit until later that year with the injuries and T.O. controversy. I think calm and little controversy is always good for team chemistry.

Les: Now that we have a nice size running back, what will the eagles run percentage be compared to the pass?

Bob Brookover: I still think it'll be about 60-40 in favor of the pass, but the opponent and situation will dictate those things.

Adam: What do you think of Hank Baskett? I think he is going to be a big part of the offense this year.

Bob Brookover: Baskett hasn't shown up as much in this camp as he did a year ago as a rookie, but I definitely think he'll have a role in the offense. It will be interesting to see how much they use him and how much they use Baskett as the No. 3 receiver.

Gerald: Do you think LJ Smith will be ready for the season opener?

Bob Brookover: I really don't know the answer to that one Gerald. Andy Reid said today that yesterday's injury wasn't related to the surgery, but I'm skeptical. I just know the Eagles haven't had good results recently with the sports hernia injury.

Tom: How big of a loss is L.J. Smith really?

Bob Brookover: I don't think it's a loss the Eagles wouldn't be able to overcome, but L.J. has more speed and athleticism than Matt Schobel and Brent Celek, so they would miss that for sure. L.J. can really give the Eagles some great matchups against LBs.

bj: will dawkins be back for the start of the season

Bob Brookover: I think Dawkins will be back for the start of the season. That's still a month away and watching him run the other day, he didn't look too bad. I don't know, however, how he responded the following day.

Dan, NorthEast: In light of the previous answer, which player that will be the biggest surprise this year? On D, O and Special Teams?

Bob Brookover: I think on defense, you might end up seeing a lot of rookie second-round pick Victor Abiamiri, who has really had a good camp. The first thing you notice about him is how big he is compared to the other DEs in camp. On offense, Celek might end up having the most impact, especially because of L.J.'s injury. Special teams, I'm going to take an educated guess that Bradley is going to have a real impact because of his size and speed.

bj: who is the kr/pr if bloom don't work out?

Bob Brookover: Great question and I'm not sure of the answer. Bill Sampy was supposed to compete for those jobs, but he's been out the entire camp with a quad contusion. Greg Lewis has been returning kicks in practice and might get a chance to do that Monday night against the Ravens. The Eagles really want Bloom to earn that job. Reno Mahe is still available.

bj: how is gaddis and paschal looking in camp so for?

Bob Brookover: Gaddis has shown the ability to hit and Paschal looked good early, but is just returning from an injury. The battle for fourth safety spot is going to be interesting with Chris Smith and Erick Harris also in the running.

Jim: I think Andy only brought in the Australian punter to light a fire under Dirk Johnson and that the Aussie has no chance of making the team. Do you agree?

Bob Brookover: I absolutely do not agree. Rocca is here to compete with Dirk and if he shows consistency in the preseason he's going to win the job. Rocca definitely has the stronger leg, but is inconsistent at times.

Dan, NorthEast: With the special teams was hoping your answer would involve a KR's name (any of them) ... Anyway, Is McDougle an official bust?

Bob Brookover: I'm actually really anxious to watch Bloom return kicks because it's impossible to tell anything in that department until they get in a game. There's no tackling on KRs in training camp. As for McDougle, Jim Johnson told me the other day that he is having a great camp, but I think it's going to be impossible for him to make the team unless one of the other DEs gets hurt.

Greg: There have been conflicting reports on Donovan. Sept 9th in Green Bay he will be about 90%? 90% McNabb is better then all but Brady and Manning in my opinion.

Bob Brookover: I don't know how you can tell what percentage a person is anyway. Either he can play or he can't and from what I've seen in training camp McNabb will be able to play at a high level Sept. 9 in Green Bay. I don't know if McNabb is in the top three, but I'd put him in the top five or six.

bj: is tank daniels going to make the team? are they starting to when out trotter?

Bob Brookover: Tank is going to be a bubble guy at linebacker. He'll be competing with Matt McCoy for one of those last spots at LB and the way they play on special teams will help determine what happens. Trotter is not going any where this year. He's had a good camp and looks healthy.

Tom: How confident are you in McNabb's return to form? Barring any setbacks, what can we expect from him the first few weeks of the season?

Bob Brookover: I think McNabb is going to have a really good year and I expect him to have some really good games early against Green Bay, Washington and Detroit. With those three games -- two of them at home -- the Eagles have a chance to get off to a great start and that's the kind of thing that really builds a team's confidence.

Dan, NorthEast: WOW - you don't think he'll even make the roster! Which area of the team do you have concerns with?

Bob Brookover: Dan, I really think it will be a struggle for McDougle to make the team. You have Kearse and Juqua Thomas on one side and Cole and Darren Howard on the other. Abiamiri is a second-round draft pick, so he's not going to get cut. As for concerns, I think the defense needs to really establish a dominating identity early. They have not been that kind of defense since 2002 and I think the way they play will dictate how far this team can go. The special teams also need to play well early. I think the offense is going to put up points.

Tom: What's up with Nasty Nate?

Bob Brookover: Nasty Nate has had an OK camp. He doesn't have the same speed bursts as the other backs. I'm not positive he's going to make the 53-man roster.

Bob Brookover: I'll take a few more, if you have any.

Bob Brookover: All right, thanks. I enjoyed it. See you next Friday when we'll have a preseason game to chat about. Have a great week.

Bob Brookover: Some late arrivals.

Peter: Is there some kind of special section in the paper Sunday? Bob Brookover: Yes, the 75th anniversary of the Eagles' section is coming out. My colleague Ashley Fox did most of the work. She did an outstanding job. Check it out.

Dan, NorthEast: Your prediction for the season, in light of the improvements that were made by the other teams (Cowboys and Pats in particular)? Also, which team scares you the most?

Bob Brookover: Barring too many injuries, I think the Eagles are an 11-5 team that at least reaches the NFC championship game. In the NFC, I think the Saints are the biggest threat to keep the Eagles from getting to the Super Bowl. In the division, I think the Cowboys are probably the second best team.

Scott: Do you think they will shut down Andrews until the season starts?

Bob Brookover: Wow, took a long time to get to the Andrews' question. The offensive line really doesn't get much respect. I'm not sure how bad his condition is. Reid said today that Andrews was doing a little better, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him play at all in the preseason.

Steven: How do you think Kevin Kolb looks so far?

Bob Brookover: Kolb has had a solid camp. He makes quick reads and gets rid of the ball quick as well, which are two great attributes to have as a West Coast QB. I'm looking forward to watching him Monday.

bj: is any rookie free agents going to make the team? Do you think its a strong possibility that the running attack this year will be like 2002? (west,duce,buck)

Bob Brookover: I'm sure at least one undrafted rookie will make the team. Marcus Paschal or Chris Smith are both candidates. As for the running attack, I don't think it will be quite like 2003 when they had the three-headed monster. Westbrook will be the main guy.

K.D.: Will the Eagles ask Darren Howard to take a pay cut if he does not win the starter job?

Bob Brookover: Sorry. That's something a team has to do before training camp and Howard, as long as he's healthy, is going to be paid quite a bit anyway regardless of whether he's the starter. All right folks. Thanks a lot and have a great week. Enjoy the game Monday night.