'Live' observations
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Today was Day 2 of live hitting here at training camp with the action dialed up a notch. The sessions were a little more chippy, and the crowds larger and more animated thanks to the nicest day of the week. The early live portion dealt more with the running game; the latter part saw more passing. Here are some observations from yours truly embedded:
'Live' observations
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Today was Day 2 of live hitting here at training camp with the action dialed up a notch. The sessions were a little more chippy, and the crowds larger and more animated thanks to the nicest day of the week. The early live portion dealt more with the running game; the latter part saw more passing. Here are some observations from yours truly embedded:
-- The individual pass blocking drills were illuminating. GOOD: Fullback Leonard Weaver looked flawless handling linebacker Moise Fokou and then linebacker Omar Gaither on two occassions. Running back LeSean McCoy squared up nicely with Quintin Mikell, but the safety returned the favor and blew past the rookie on their next turn. BAD: Lorenzo Booker had his troubles. The running back was blocking too much inside was getting burnt around the corner. This prompted a cry from someone in the crowd: "Come on, Booker, you're a turnstile." Rookie tight end Eugene Bright still needs work.
-- The one-on-one individuals provided perhaps the best matchup of the day between DeSean Jackson and Sheldon Brown. Score two points for the veteran cornerback who got the best of the second-year wide receiver. Jackson didn't have a bad day, though, by any stretch of the imagination. He caught two bombs from Donovan McNabb during live hitting and took both for scores.
-- The first real scrum of camp happened when Bright tried to take on the entire third-team defense. It was hard to see exactly who the tight end got into it first with because he was surrounded by so many defenders. In the end, Bright pulled off linebacker Tracy White's helmet before the fight was broken up. The best fights of camp usually occur when the third teams go at it. They have a lot more to play for during camp than the first two teams.
-- There were probably a few too many drops today: Brent Celek, Jason Avant and Brandon Robinson all put the football on the carpet. Celek did have a nice catch-and-run earlier in the day.
-- Jeremy Maclin is still not here. Stop me if you've heard this before. The rookie wideout has now missed the first week of camp. As of this writing, there are 17 first-rounders signed, including the Nos. 16, 17, 20 and 21 selections. The Eagles took Maclin at No. 19. There are now two first-round WRs signed with No. 29 Hakeem Nicks' inking a deal with the Giants today. No. 7 pick Darrius Heyward-Bey signed with Oakland earlier this week. No. 10 Michael Crabtree, No. 22 Percy Harvin and No. 30 Kenny Britt remained unsigned. Last we heard, the Eagles gave Maclin agent Jim Steiner their best offer and were waiting for a response.
-- Kevin Curtis was back practicing after limping off the field of yesterday's morning session with a thigh bruise. He missed yesterday afternoon's practice, but said today that he feels fine.
-- Read this morning's post for updates on the other injured players.
The problem with guys like Crabtree and Maclin is that when they slide, they think that they are entitled to the money for where they were project to be drafted, not were they were actually drafted. If the NFL would just go to some sort of slotting system with a rookie salary cap (and give that extra money to the vets), then there wouldn't be this problem. Maclin got drafted at 19 and wants Top 10 money. Crabtree got drafted at 10 and wants Top 5 money. Guess what boys, you didn't get drafted in those spots so you don't get that type of money. That's how it works.— JimG- Attention Andrew Brandt - Stop writing on the NFL Post and do your "consulting" job and get Maclin signed. You shouldn't have gotten bounced by the Packers - we don't need this!— Eagles33
- It sounded like Maclin was a pretty smart guy when he was drafted, guess everyone was wrong. The young man needs to tell his agent to get him into camp NOW! These youngsters haven't played one down in the Pros and they are holding out, totally amazing...As "Bugs" woud say: "What a Maroon"!!!— DJ
Comment removed.- Reggie Brown is probably encouraging Maclin to stay away, since its probably Reggie's only chance to make the team.— SteveS11
- Who was the genius who reported that Maclin would be no problem to sign?? Was a week or so after the draft and they were confident he would be signed quickly.— Hatfield_ham
- Theunsigned draftees aren't holding out. They arent allowed to play under the NFLPA..So , if I were him I would make this team open their wallets too. They have the money and an owner that brags about being a billionaire. Sign the kid Eagles...— crohnkiller
I don’t think Reid was faulting him for trying to get a fair contract, he was just stating the facts. Maclin needs to be in camp if he has any ambitions of being a factor in the offense this year. That’s the bottom line. Now if Maclin & his agent think it’s more important to get the contract they want rather than being in camp, than that’s their decision. But Maclin is the one who has to deal with the consequences, which is - the longer he holds out, the more his role diminishes in this offense…anyways, how about big ole’ Brodrick Bunkley intercepting a pass! While in coverage!!! Now if he didn’t holdout his first year, than he might have been doing this last year…either way, a DL dropping back into coverage only to intercept the intended pass?! JJ’s Defense lives!!!- If Maclin is so good - make it an incentive contract - make it HUGE if he does well and skinny if he stinks...Oh....no-one thinks the player should take a chance...it's just the team who should eat a big contract.— ziggy
- these top draft picks like Maclin need to be set a example of ,they should be made to sign at a set price or else or they don't play in the NFL ! Why pay a guy a signing bounus when he might not even make the team or be as good as they saying they are ! Tell Maclin if he don't sign he can wait until next year and sign with another team ,you will see how fast he signs then !— zogger
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- I'm getting a bad feeling about this kid...I've followed the NFL for over 30 years, so I understand the business side of things...but when you go from "no problem signing him" to the comments indicating how far apart the two sides are, it makes me wonder. I'm starting to think a decent move would be to trade his rights in a package to Denver for Marshall. I know Marshall is no saint, but at least he's played a down or two in the NFL. It might be something Denver would consider, and we'd still be getting a young receiver. Eh, just the ramblings of an Old Dolt.— Old Dolt
- Not one comment about Jones #26????? New safety, taking over for a legend. Perhaps the story about a TE thats not going to make the team, could take a backseat to the $3million addition at safety.— phillyinATL
- Old Doit, Are you serious? Hope you don't have any daughters. If so, please don't let them attend Denver's training camp. Marshall might see them and think he's Mike Tyson, AGAIN!!— reggiedunlop
- Some one please sign Booker ..........as a Librarian.— mick314
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