Smith Making Strides, Maclin More in Flow
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Smith Making Strides, Maclin More in Flow
Daily News staff and Les Bowen
It is coordinator day down at the NovaCare Complex and here are some notes ...
* Wide receiver Steve Smith had his best day as an Eagle on Wednesday, according to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. He said Smith will see more action each week, following microfracture knee surgery. Mornhinweg said Smith can play at a high level. Obviously, Smith will be eager to be on the field as the Eagles head into a matchup with the Giants next week.
* Jeremy Maclin had one catch in the season opener in his return to his hometown of St. Louis. Maclin, who was dealing with a serious viral illness in the offseason, is ready to get back to crucial role, Mornhinweg said.
"He's a playmaker. He makes plays right at the right time," Mornhinweg said of Maclin.
Maclin was a catalyst in last year's 31-17 Eagles victory over the Falcons at the Linc; He caught seven passes for a career-high 159 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 83-yard TD that put the game away.
"We knew that if we caught 'em at the right time, that could be a big play," Maclin said today. "Marty called it it at the right time. They were kind of getting a little momentum back. We needed something to get everything back in our favor. That definitely sealed the game."
*Mornhinweg said he had thought the Eagles would be better vs. the Rams blitz."They rushed the cupboard a couple times," he said. But big plays and third-down conversions turned out to be keys, as Mornhinweg thought they would be. "We did OK there," he said.
* Mornhinweg said LeSean McCoy is one of the best young players in the league. He said it was unfair to compare McCoy to Brian Westbrook, but McCoy is there; he has to stay there consistently over time to really compare.
* Special teams coordinator Bobby April said he has told returner Dion Lewis that he should not bring out a kick if it goes deeper than 5 yards into the end zone. April said there was a relatively small sample size to judge the kickoff rules after Week 1, but that is what they are thinking thus far.
* Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo said Brian Rolle is a starter in the Eagles' third-down nickel, which involves a different personnel group that their usual nickel coverage.
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To read our earlier coverage, including the Eagles' planned return to Lehigh, click here.
My neighbor's kids at can skin a squirrel, rabbit, or fox after hunting will little ease. Before 12 they can dissect most animals, butcher them up and have them on the grill within hours. That's just a right of passage in Virginia. When I see a buck I think Bambi, or one of Santa's Reindeer. Country kids in Virginia see a trophy for their dens.— Dexter- The article is about Smith fools....save your comments for the Vick articles......and the fact is Smith was only brought here in case DeSean sat out.....he'll end up being the returner and get 3 plays at wideout...and is an after thought on this team..— nuggett
- Hey Frank, MV is house hunting.......where do you live again?— NC Eagle Fan
- yo frank...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz— RudySchmeckpepper
- Frank, is your wife logged in as you again?— dmanphilly
- MV wouldn't build his garage in Frank's neighborhood. Maybe a doghouse— blaqjaq
- You mean no Frank? for the WHOLE SEASON? Where will we find such witty banter now?— Jim Collins again
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- personally, i think vick should be allowed to play and all that. but i have to say that its not like rooting for the eagles when it was jaws or cunningham or mcnabb. i just can't get behind the guy, b/c besides what he did, which was horrible, i don't think he's changed. i think he's a phony. and on just a pure football level, i totally believe he will exit the playoffs early again, b/c he is prone to failing vs elite teams with good defenses in the playoffs. i mean this guy does not have a good record vs good defenses or in the playoffs. i wish we had kept kolb, who looked like a real QB to me.— Mr.Sinatra
- Enough about Vick...how is it possible for the Eagles to not figure out when a kick should be returned? Lewis may have potential, but he is not Devin Hester. Take a knee in the endzone, fool! Why is this so difficult?— CandyReidh8ter
- Comment removed.
- Hey Frank....Vick paid his debt for what he did. He deserves a chance to live his life and continue his career. Eagles fans will root for anyone wearing the Eagles uniform and helmet....the same as any other football fan will do for their team. You really do have to separate football and life in general. Football is pure entertainment and escapism for most people....to GET AWAY from the harsh realities of life. So please....don't bash people for cheering Vick on when he's on the football field.— SteveS11
- There's true quarterbacks ...ones who lead, who get their teammates in line....lead by example on and off the field. Ones that read a defense, ones that make their Oline look good b/c they can get rid of the ball within 4 seconds. Then there are athletes playing QB...ala Vick. Runs well, gets on sports center often but will NEVER ...ever make it through the playoffs and win a SB. Should have kept KOLB. WRONG choice REID!— RealizticFan
- Oh, Frank, you big kidder. I knew you couldn't stay away. What's that? Keep this a secret so that the others won't guess that you've just changed your log-in name? Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. — raltman
