Bradley, Kolb show progress
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Bradley, Kolb show progress
Les Bowen and DN staff
Quarterback Kevin Kolb and linebacker Stewart Bradley were able to sit in on team meetings today, the Eagles said.
Neither will take part in practice, as they attempt to make progress from concussions suffered in Sunday's loss to Green Bay. Both players would need to be cleared by an independent specialist before they can return to the practice field, according to the league's guidelines.
As reporters left the locker room just before practice Thursday, Bradley was visible in the weight room, running in place, under a trainer's supervision.
Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said he has "a lot of confidence" in Omar Gaither, should he be needed to fill in for Bradley at middle linebacker.
"He’s done a good job and having worked with Omar over the years I have a lot of confidence in him and I think his teammates have a lot of confidence in him, as well," McDermott said. "So, it is like having a fourth starter when he steps into that role.”
***
Eagles special teams coordinator Bobby April took responsibility for the team's problems covering kicks, which began in the preseason and continued through last week's opener. April vowed to fix the problem; he also said he would reevaluate how he runs OTA and training camp practices. But kick coverage at full speed with tackling is the one thing teams never, ever practice, which can make a deficiency hard to fix.
***
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg expressed great respect for Detroit's front four; given the Eagles' blocking struggles, that will be an especially important matchup.
"Yeah, it’s just a whole different squad there," he said. "On defense, I believe they have as many as 17 different players and I believe it’s eight that are starting. And they have a quality guys. They’ve got a five-time Pro Bowler in [LB Julian Peterson] and they’ve got an excellent front. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler, so they’ve got some excellent players on the defensive side of the ball.”
Mornhinweg indicated that Owen Schmitt, acquired to replce injured Leonard Weaver at fullback, will be able to transition quickly enough from a similar offense in Seattle to help out this week.
"He’s had a good practice yesterday, a good walkthrough yesterday, a good practice yesterday, a good walkthrough just now, so great confidence in him," he said. "He’s been in this terminology before, so he’s pretty sharp. He’s a big, physical guy.”
He also was asked about the balance of getting the ball in DeSean Jackson's hands without forcing it.
"We’ve been through that before," he said. "It’s cyclic just a little bit. There will be games where he catches a bunch of balls. I would suggest, I would think there will be others where other guys are catching the ball. Certainly tried to get it to him down the field several times. Got it in underneath several times to him. That’s a real fine line there. Look, when we don’t have it down the field to him, we’ve got to complete the ball and gain yards.”
***
On the Eagles injury report, only Bradley and Kolb missed practice.
Everyone else listed was a full practice participant: WR Jason Avant (back), DE Antwan Barnes (wrist), RB Mike Bell (toe), G Nick Cole (knee), G Todd Herremans (ankle), T Austin Howard (back), LB Akeem Jordan (groin), DT Trevor Laws (oblique), P Sav Rocca (left hamstring). Avant, Jordan and Rocca were not listed on the injury report on Wednesday.
***
Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy took part in the open portion of practice today, his first practice since straining his groin in the third preseason game. Levy told the Detroit Free Press that "I feel close" when it comes to the issue of whether he is ready to play against the Eagles.
Safety Louis Delmas (groin) returned to practice today. Defensive end Cliff Avril (knee) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (shoulder) remain sidelined.
The Lions are still 2,000 tickets short of a sellout as the deadline hits for the game to be blacked out in Detroit. The team has been granted an extension until 1 p.m. Friday.
**
To read our earlier post, click here.
what will be more awesome is when the real mike vick shows up sunday and sucks. do you realize kolb and vick already have the same number of 300+ yd passing games in their career?— djack10- KOLB JUT CAN'T PLAY? Barnes10 should scout for the eagles, he only needs 10 passes to know #4 is a bust. Bet you were a big Jamarcus Russel fan too Barnes. SHHEEETTT, WONDERLICK DON'T MATTER, VICK BE BALLIN!!!!— dragoon6
- Ghostface, you don't get it yet. My argument is based on each quarterback's week 1 PERFORMANCE. Kolb's 3 points in one half = McNabb's 6 points in the game. But Kolb is bashed while McNabb is fawned over by the sideline reporter. Sure looks like the media is desirious for McNabb to succeed!— JoeJanko
- Donovan was impressive leading his team to a big six points with familiar failure in the Red Zone. If the Skins D can hold all opponents to 7 points and score themselves McD will make the playoffs no problem.— brs50
- People still listen to Rush limpballs? The same guy that said he would leave the country? The same guy that got caught with oxycotin and Viagra while returning from a country known for it's laxed laws on child prostitution? Mike Vick kills dogs but Rush is your hero? .........Wow!!— Ghostface
- mcnabb did just enough 2 not lose! under 50% pass comp. come on!! landry's the baller on that chump team. the skins will never win jack w/ snyder runnin the show. hes a major tool!!— first down
- Ok now I get it! We have some Rush Limp-balls fans on here! Makes sense now. No wonder the obvious hatred for Mcnabb. Question? Could the same argument be said about Kolb?! I mean, your basically saying a guy who has yet to prove himself trumps a 5 time or even a 3 time pro-bowler! .....wow!— Ghostface
- I am an eagles fan and have been for 30 years, I do not think Kolb is the answer(if he is how stupid was the question)Vick maybe the short term fix, I saw nothing from Kolb, and Mcnabb had about 5-6 passes dropped if he gets some better WRs with that D, they will go farther than the eagles will, and Mcnabb did FINALLY beat Dallas— will69
- @ coachbarnes10..... What's the "N" word.... Nuckleheads? Nincompoops? Numbskulls? Nit-wits? I think all would apply nicely... feel free to add any other "N" words that are on your mind......— kramer65
In more important news, a majority of Eagles fans could not be happier and more "ESTATIC" to have McNabb's clown act out of here. And Limbaugh was right, and he's still right. Skin's D is now compensating for him.
Rush Limbaugh is not now and has never been right about anything. He is a fat bag of gas who likes to incite angry old white guys. I am an old white guy, but I'm smart enough not to let Limbaugh wind me up.- Will Mike Kafka be going in for Vick every other play to mess up Vick's rythym also?— Bill20
- Coachbarnes10, let me rephrase: McNabb averaged 3 points a half, just like Kolb. Kolb gets ripped by people like you and McNabb gets an interview by his adoring media.— JoeJanko
- warbird -- your're right, the eagles should have probowlers on second string. What's wrong with them!— andimike
- WOW. WHY DON'T YOU GUYS JUST CALL MCNABB AND VICK THE N WORD. KOLB IS SMART? REALLY. BLACK, WHITE OR BLUE KOLB JUT CAN'T PLAY FOOTBALL. NOT BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU SIT A WATCH AN OFFENSE FOR THREE YEARS AND NOT HAVE A CLUE? TELL ME THAT. PLEASE MR. RUSH L LOVERS.— coachbarnes10
- donovanwitarealteamnow, let's see how you feel after a couple more masterpieces like the one that Donovan put out there on Sunday, but what would I know, i am just another idiot Eagles fan who knows nothing about football. You will be happy with Donovan because he is better than anyone your team has had in a while, but if he is sooo happy being a redskin, how come he hasn't signed a contract extension yet..........— tiredofthewhining
Rush is da man. That Redskins fan should get prepared for some serious worm killing at Fedex field.— blaqjaq- donovanwitarealteamnow: your attempts at ruffling our feathers = epic failure.— Omorales510
- Gaither stinks!!!!!!! This team is paper thin at OL, LB, and DB. Why can't we get it together? The injuries will be the end of our season.— warbird
- Oh yeah, I can hear a coordiator say "Well, um, wow, we're having to go with Gaither, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that he doesn't make a fool of himself. If any of the notorious bunch of negativists coached NFL players they'd all be institutionalized before the end of training camp.— retzlaff
- This is pathetic...Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said he has "a lot of confidence" in Omar Gaither....just come out and say the truth, 'there's a reason he's a backup, if he wants to prove he's a starter, here's his shot'....The job of the coaches is not to protect these overgrown childrens' fragile pshyche, it's to make them play better. Tell him the truth and see if he doesn't play a little harder, faster, and better.— Bleue
- JoeJanko - i don't agree with Rush L. an awful lot but he was 100% right on this one.— sasquatches
- Let's look at last week: Kolb led the "loser" offense to 3 points in one half; McNabb led his offense to 6 points in an entire game. Kolb gets ripped and McNabb gets interviewed post-game. Hmmmm; methinks Rush was right.— JoeJanko
- I can't wait to see Andy Reid throwing Mike Kafka out there to run the Power I on short yardage downs!...or wait, will he actually let Vick get into a game rhythm?— nyphilsphan
DonovanwitaRealTeamNow -- ashley fox is not hotter then the spanish chic. do you want to make a wager on detroit my friend? put your money where you mouth is.
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
Its gonna be hilarious when Vick tears it up this sunday and possibly against the jags as well lol the eagles will be 2-1 and vick will get that swagger back and then BOOM!!! here comes our savior and quite frankly the greatest football player ever.... Mr. Kevin Kolb. I don't get how people honestly think he's really THAT good. I admit its way too early to judge, but i have a feeling the eagles blew it again ~ PingasMan out!!!!- Comment removed.
