DIDN'T KNOW DOC WAS ALSO A MECHANIC
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- This morning's practice here at Lehigh officially ended the portion of training camp designed to get rookies -- and few selected veterans -- in the flow of training camp before the rest of the squad reports. It was a rather uneventful three days -- as it normally is on the field -- but the action should heat up with the arrival of vets this afternoon. They are expected to start checking into their dorms around 3 p.m. and should all be here by the 7 p.m. team meeting.
Cornerback Sheldon Brown, who created a stir in the off-season over his contract, is expected to be here. So are all of the remaining vets.
Here are a few observations, however, from practices with rookies:
-- Defensive back Macho Harris looked significantly better than he had during minicamp. The rookie was sick a few times in the spring, but he raised some eyebrows with his play in Lehigh. He had another interception today during 7 on 7 drills.
-- Tight end Cornelius Ingram hasn't held back on a left knee that is still wrapped. Even though Ingram has yet to get hit -- in fact, it's been almost 18 months since he's donned pads -- the Florida product looks as good as billed.
-- LeSean McCoy is getting plenty of reps, but there are still plenty of unknowns about the rookie running back. "He's still working through some things, but he's a really bright young man" offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said today. "I do think by, let's say the middle of training camp, he should be pretty comfortable."
-- Jeremy Maclin is still not in camp as his contract negotiations drag on. If he's not here by Friday, then you can start panicking. "I'd normally talk about the players that are here, however, in general, it's my experience with rookies that help a ball club -- or helped the club that I've been on -- they've missed very, very little," Mornhuinweg said. "It's just a big advantage to be at every practice."
Some other notes off today:
-- Rookie wide receiver Brandon Gibson was not at practice. Mornhinweg didn't have an exact reason for his absence, although it sounds injury related. "They are doing some tests right now, so I don't have details on that," he said. "Maybe he's back tomorrow, maybe he's not."
-- Donovan McNabb was not at practice. The quarterback is usually given the third day off of the rookie session.
