Archive: June, 2009
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles announced that the much-anticipated restructuring of the final two seasons of quarterback Donovan McNabb's contract is complete. McNabb and Eagles coach Andy Reid will meet with reporters Friday at 10 a.m. at NovaCare.
“Donovan has played a large part of this team’s success over the last 10 years,” Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said in a release annonuncing the news, at 10:25 p.m.. “He has been a professional in every sense of the word.”
“We are thrilled that this all worked out,” said Eagles president Joe Banner. “He is a great football player, a great person, and someone who gives back to the community. We are lucky to have him in Philadelphia.”
Daily News staff
Usually we leave the baseball to Dave Murphy over at High Cheese, but this is a unique intersection of football and baseball involving two teams that Philly fans really despise.
Turns out before the Phillies and Mets play tonight at Citi Field, all the Giants' rookies will be on the field, including their nine draft choices. First-round pick Hakeem Nicks will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“I’m looking forward to it, but I need to make sure I have this arm intact for that,” Nicks said, according to a Giants press release. “I think it will be pretty cool. It’s something I have never experienced before.”
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
My mother always told me to beware strange men hanging out in parking lots, so your Eagletarian was a little wary when he heard someone calling his name across the rows of cars as he prepared to exit NovaCare early Wednesday afternoon
My trepidation eased when the driver's door of a rented white Lincoln swung open and the lacquered coif of Drew Rosenhaus appeared, just above the trademark sunglasses and bluetooth headset.
Rosenhaus said he was waiting for a few clients to emerge from the team meeting that followed yesterday's OTA activity. He confirmed that he has reached agreement on a deal for fifth-round rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram (the Eagles aren't going to make it official until they cut somebody to fit Ingram under the roster limit, though), and he said talks are progressing on a pact for second-round rookie running back LeSean McCoy. The Drewmeister also has acquired guard Max Jean-Gilles as a client, and is hoping to get something going there, as Jean-Gilles enters the final season of his contract, coming off a serious ankle injury.
Daily News staff
Adam Caplan of Scout.com reported that the Eagles agreed to terms with fifth-round pick Cornelius Ingram late last night, but an Eagles source this morning said Ingram was "not yet" in the fold. The reason: Even though the deal is done, it cannot be officially announced because the Eagles need to cut someone in order to get to the 80-man roster limit. That announcement is expected tomorrow.
That would leave just the top two, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy, to be signed from this year's draft class. It would be way nice not to have any down-to-the-wire training camp signing drama this year. It also might be important, given that Maclin and McCoy are projected to have greater than usual training camp roles for rookies, so the Birds really don't want them missing any drills.
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Daily News staff
The Eagles announced Tuesday they have signed a pair of seventh-round draftees to four-year contracts -- Arizona State guard Paul Fanaika and Maryland linebacker Moise Fokou. That means five of eight from the April draft are signed, leaving only the top three -- first-rounder Jeremy Maclin, second-rounder LeSean McCoy and fifth-rounder Cornelius Ingram.
Also, the team announced that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has been elected to the Grizzly Sports Hall 
of Fame at his alma mater, the University of Montana. Mornhinweg was a four-year starter at quarterback, and a two-time team MVP. His 6,081 passing yards currently rank seventh in school history.
Tuesday's OTA was held outdoors, after the morning thunderstorm deluge. Still no Asante Samuel, who is off "tending to some family matters," according to agent Alonzo Shavers. Since this camp is voluntary, Samuel cannot be fined by the team. He showed up for the first week. His absence this week is not a huge deal, but it does kind of undercut all that "leadership" talk Samuel reveled in when he granted reporters a rare audience last Thursday.
Daily News staff
Asante Samuel went from "assertive" to "absent."
Samuel, the most vocal Eagles defender in last week's OTA drills, opted to take advantage of the "voluntary" part of the voluntary minicamp, a team spokesman said. He was not present for Monday's practice.
A team source said Eagles coach Andy Reid was disappointed, but such absences are not unheard of among veteran players who feel they got enough work in the first week, or who have pressing personal business.
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
Eagles rookie running back LeSean McCoy was back on the field Monday at Eagles minicamp, after leaving Friday's workout with what the team said was a sprained left thumb. McCoy practiced yesterday with the thumb wrapped, and said he felt no ill effects.
"It wasn't that big a deal," said McCoy, who acknowledged being "a little nervous" after he slipped, put his hand out 
to brace himself, and "my thumb totally bent back" during indoor work, when the team was forced inside by rain on Friday. While McCoy was walking off the field with trainer Rick Burkholder, Brian Westbrook was undergoing right ankle surgery in Baltimore to clean out bone fragments that were causing irritation, a bit of a nerve-wracking coincidence.
."I knew it wasn't that serious. It swelled up a little bit," McCoy said.
Daily News staff
There were no OTAs Saturday for the Eagles, but Donovan McNabb, several teammates, and some Temple players were at NovaCare anyway, for the 7th All-Star Kids Clinic, sponsored by the Donovan McNabb Foundation. The foundation aims to help with diabetes awareness and to assist children.
The clinic featured 300 boys and girls ages 11-14, selected by local community groups and event sponsors.
Gov. Ed Rendell and Eagles coach Andy Reid made introductory remarks. (Rendell passed up the chance to critique Reid's play selection), as the foundation celebrated its 10th year. McNabb also was to host a party Saturday evening in Center City.
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Friday that Brian Westbrook's ankle report "seems like it's all positive right now," so the team probably won't immediately be looking to add to its rotation of running backs.
However, Dr. Mark Myerson, the Baltimore specialist who operated on Westberook's right ankle Friday, released a statement saying "it is unlikely he will be ready for preseason play."
It couldn't have helped Reid's mindset when rookie LeSean McCoy left Friday's indoor minicamp workout with what team head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder termed a left thumb sprain, after falling on the artificial surface. Reid said McCoy would be able to practice next week with his thumb taped; previously, Burkholder had said only that McCoy had a chance to practice next week. A team spokesman said McCoy was receiving treatment and was not available for comment.
Marcus Hayes
With star running back Brian Westbrook scheduled for surgery in Baltimore tomorrow, all eyes were focused on his backups at today’s full-team voluntary workouts.
Lorenzo Booker, who touched the ball 26 times in 10 games last season, seemed comfortable getting the lion’s share of snaps with the first unit. Rookie second-rounder LeSean McCoy, who appears to be playing behind Booker, understandably seemed lost at times, operating at perhaps 70 percent speed as he tried to implement what he has learned since he was drafted in April.
Booker said he found himself imparting the wisdom gained in a year of experience as Westbrook’s backup. McCoy said that with every repetition he is better grasping the concepts and responsibilities of Andy Reid’s demanding offense.
