Reid: No tight end visits planned
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Reid: No tight end visits planned
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Andy Reid said he had no current plans to bring another free agent tight end in for a workout after Visanthe Shiancoe spurned the Eagles and signed with the Patriots on Tuesday.
The Eagles have some interest in Jeremy Shockey, who is considered a better blocker than Shiancoe, but a physical with the former New York Giants and Saints tight end has been put on hold. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said Tuesday, after he worked out Shiancoe, that the Eagles were looking to create a little competition for Clay Harbor at backup tight end.
"We're keeping all our options open, and it has nothing to do with Clay, [Brent] Celek and coming off the [injury]," Reid said. "That's not what it is. There are a couple of good tight ends out there that we liked and thought we'd look at."
Celek, the Eagles' starting tight end, had offseason hip surgery, but will be ready to practice tomorrow after the rest of the full squad reports to Lehigh University for training camp later today.
The Eagles are expecting every player on the roster to report by the evening. In recent years, the team has had several holdouts with top draft picks or a veteran looking for a new contract. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson skipped the first 11 days of camp last year.
The Eagles gave Jackson a long-term deal in the offseason, along with a number of their other vets including running back LeSean McCoy. They also have all their rookies under contract, thanks in part to the new collective bargaining agreement that has made negotiations much easier.
"Having everything here, I think, is a plus -- just from a continuity standpoint, team camaraderie, one less distraction," Reid said.
The Eagles ended the early portion of camp with their rookies and quarterbacks without any significant injuries, Reid said. Michael Vick was given the morning practice off as Reid often does for his starting quarterbacks on the day that the full squad reports.
The full squad will have a light afternoon practice tomorrow, a walkthrough and another light practice on Friday, and then will don the pads and start live hitting on Saturday, Reid said.
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Wow, visanthe would rather ride the pine in hopes of getting a ring in which he had nothing to do with it, than play on a team he can actually get serious reps with. High character guy right there, those are some priorities. No way he sees the field behind those star TEs in NE— peteike- Yeah, i really dont get why Shiancoe would sign with Pats. The Pats are stockpiling TE's. I really wanted Vick to have another security blanket TE whom he trusts to make important 3rd down catches. I havent seen much in Harbor so whats the hesitation on the Eagles part to bring in a better blocking and catching TE? Esp with Peters hurt, give Bell some help so we dont have a disaster with LT ruin the early part of the season. Cuz from where i sit, LT is their only weakness on paper. THe Birds are loaded everywhere else. ANd really hope the Birds watched what Harbaugh did with Alex Smith last year. Made him game manager and took pressure off him to WIN games. This isnt early 2000's and it isnt the Atlanta Falcons. VIck doesnt need to WIN games. HE just needs to stay upright,cut down mistakes,utilize the run game and check downs etc... ANd Birds will easily make playoffs. They have talent at almost every position. If they play like a team and get confident their may be NO stopping them. But, Vick will have be smart. NFL Season is marathon not a sprint. IE 2011 Packers. Hang in there and dont give games away by being greedy or making stupid mistakes— Over_Exposed
- Harbor stinks and scumbag vick will not make it to the bye week.— sewell guy
