Camp competition
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Sometimes when you hear that two players are competing for a starting job, the competition isn't all that intense or real.
Camp competition
Bob Brookover
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Sometimes when you hear that two players are competing for a starting job, the competition isn't all that intense or real.
Center Jamaal Jackson, for example, had the upperhand on Hank Fraley three years ago from the start of training camp and that never changed through the entire preseason.
That's not the case at several different positions in this Eagles camp.
With the season-ending injury to middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, the door has been opened for either Joe Mays or Omar Gaither to become the new starter at that position with the distinct possibility that Mays plays in the base defense and Gaither takes the field in passing situations.
"Right now we're just (middle linebacker) by committee," defensive coordinatar Sean McDermott said. "The job is open for both of them or anybody else that wants to show us that they can play."
Both Mays and Gaither have had impressive days since Bradley's injury Sunday night and it was interesting to note that Gaither ran with the first-team nickel defense and Mays with the second-team nickel during this morning's practice, which focused on the offense being backed up near its own end zone as well as the two-minute drill.
Mays' most impressive plays this morning came when he twice tackled LeSean McCoy to the ground by closing fast after the rookie running back caught short passes from Donovan McNabb. McCoy was stopped for a two-yard gain on the first play and no gain on the next one.
Gaither, meanwhile, blanketed wide receiver Reggie Brown, forcing a Kevin Kolb incompletion with the first-team defense matched against the second-team offense.
The other interesting competition is at safety. Even though Quintin Demps has lined up at free safety with the first-team defense and free-agent addition Sean Jones is running with the second-team defense at strong safety, it's clear that Jones wants to push Demps for a starting job. The sixth-year veteran broke up a McNabb pass intended for Kevin Curtis during the two-minute offense segment of practice, then two plays later intercepted a high-velocity McNabb pass in the end zone that brushed off the shoulder pads of Jason Avant.
"The competition is on and those players know it and that's what we want," McDermott said. "We want competition and we have great competition at that safety spot and Sean is right in the mix of it. You saw him make some plays (today) and over the years he has made plays."
DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY
Second-year cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu picked off a McNabb pass and returned it for a touchdown this morning.
Perhaps even more entertaining were the comments from his teammates afterward because Ikegwuonu showed little emotion after his pick six.
"Show me some high step or something," teammate Quintin Mikell said.
"There's no flash to him," Gaither said. "It's not his fault. He's from Wisconsin."
OFFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY
Undrafted rookie Brandon Robinson scored the only two offensive touchdowns of the live period on consecutive plays with the third-team offense. Both throws came from quarterback A.J. Feeley during the two-minute drill.
On the first score, Robinson, who played at Boston College, caught the ball at the 6-yard line and ran through two tackles before diving into the end zone.
On the following play, Robinson reached far to his right to make a nice catch in the right corner of the end zone.
INJURY UPDATE
Both offensive tackle Shawn and guard Stacy Andrews did not practice this morning. Shawn remains sidelined by a back injury. No immediate reason was given for Stacy's absence.
Offensive tackle Jason Peters (quad), defensive end Victor Abiamiri (pectoral muscle), defensive tackle Trevor Laws (hamstring), tight end Matt Schobel (calf) and running back Brian Westbrook (ankle) spent practice rehabilitating injuries with the training staff. Tight end Cornelius Ingram returned after sitting out with a swollen knee Wednesday.
With Jason Peters, Shawn and Stacy Andrews all out, who do we have on the O-line? Is it time to get worried? Without an effective O-line, there is not much the mint-fresh RB, WR & TE can do. Not hearing much of a peep out of the other 'weapons' save Jackson.— cleansports- Blanketing Reggie Brown isn't much of an accomplishment.— johndenny
- The Andrews sisters— JBP
- "There's no flash to him," Gaither said. "It's not his fault. He's from Wisconsin." Now THAT is hilarious stuff right there!— JimG
- I don't think Andy is in a lather about the O-Line.....yet. But I'll bet my next SS check that Babyu Brother won't be playing this year either. If it IS his back bothering him, how long before he's back home on the couch for good. If it's his head again.....same deal. Funny how Big Jon Runyon will be ready for action on the day camp ends. Would be nice to sign him for a couple million now wouldn't it?— TBear
- the shawn andrews game should be over now. bring back runyan and draft a tackle next year.— jazztafari
- Agree with jimG, Omar has the best in camp to date, great line Gaither, will we be seeing you on last comic standing :) As for the team, isn't everyone else a little worried about the "O" line, well I am, phewww!!!— DJ
- Hey All, It is only early August. Give it a few pre-season games before everyone gets worked up about the offensive line. However, if we get into two or three pre-season games and these guys still have injuries then there is trouble.— sonnycna
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- junior senior is not makin his rotted out gas tank havin self onto THIS eagles roster.....notice how fat andy is easin up on the retreads and is currently into the pickin young daimonds out of the rough lately....— zenroc24
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- Justice is playing like a guy who desperately wants to stay in the league. It would appear that the light has finally gone on for him. And not a moment too soon. With each passing day, more and more it appears that Shawn Andrews is not long for this league...— CarpGuy
- Comment removed.
"There's no flash to him," Gaither said. "It's not his fault. He's from Wisconsin." Maclin caught a wide receiver screen during the morning practice and made a nice to move to race up the sidelines. Over on the defense, Omar Gaither joked that Maclin's legs are fresh because he missed so much practice. Too feckin' funny. :-D- Bob please take a note from Jeff and use the correct terminology. It is "athletic training staff" not "training staff". Thank you— dgatens
- i'm Ok with one of the Andrews sisters....Stacy until proven wrong....the Big Kid is done....too bad an immense talent....wish him well....#69 will be opening day tackle....if Stacy's knee were better..it would be him...i feel better with Wilhelm.....if Joe Mas comes up "short"— oldBird
- As far as the middle linebacker spot, can anyone say Derrick Brooks?— mpflorida
- mpflorida: Can anyone say "old"?— p-diddy
Did anyone notice the Midgets threw big oney at Eli Manning? After how poorly he threw the ball in a windy playoff game that was pure idiocy. Unless they plan to move the team it is going to be windy come playoff time most years.- ...the Big Kid with the little heart and even smaller brain better turn it around or he'll be cut...very soon...so he can do "the Wizard of Oz" way, way off Broad Street...and speaking of wasted gifts...Burgess was a give away for a 3rd and a 5th...say it ain't so Joe...asleep at the helm?— garyshaffer
- Comment removed.
- Squeeky Fromm...now using the pen-name VanessaJ was last seen driving a beat up cab in New York, still wearing a loose fitting orange jumpsuit...anyone knowing her present whereabouts please call your local dog catcher.— garyshaffer
- Two TE's with issues ... We're pulling for the local guy Eugene Bright under the radar making a name for himself. Lets go Gene!!!!!— BIGGZ043
You know VanessaJ has a mustache and big soup cooler arms.— Richard Saunders- Hope You not saying black players are all dumb— CAVEMANJAMES
- Comment removed.
- What does it matter who's hurt or if the entire team is healthy. #5 will never win your town a Super Bowl. Now you have no defense with Dawkins and JJ gone. You have no tight ends. #36 is still a fragile girl. And your offensive line is a joke. Six and Ten.— 6and10
