Training camp storylines: WR, CB, TE
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Training camp storylines: WR, CB, TE
Jonathan Tamari
The prospect of actual football news is creeping closer, with the first practice of training camp set for July 27.
To get ready, I’m going to take a brief look this week at the storylines at each offensive and defensive position. We’ll do one area on each side of the ball per day.
Today it’s a picture of contrast: stability and a wealth of talent at wide receiver and tight end, compared to change and a very large hole to fill at corner back.
Wide receivers/tight ends: This is one of the strongest areas of the team, with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant leading the way among receivers. Hank Baskett (at 6-4) and Riley Cooper (6-3) are two big targets also fighting for roster spots and playing time.
At tight end, Brent Celek is a lock to start and is part of a core of young weapons. Back up Cornelius Ingram, trying to return from two ACL tears, will face a challenge from fourth round pick Clay Harbor.
The most intriguing story among the pass catching bunch might be that of Chad Hall, a lightning quick receiver from Air Force generously listed at 5-8 whose size and story – he spent part of OTAs flying back and forth from Philadelphia to Air Force duty in Salt Lake City – have made him something of a media favorite. He faces a tough road to make the roster, though.
The only potential flare up here could be Jackson’s contract situation. He sat out a week of voluntary OTAs and while neither he nor is agent has said much about it, such moves often send a signal about money. Jackson, who is still on his initial second-round deal, has so far said all the right things about being patient as he waits for a contract that reflects his status as a top flight play maker. The Inquirer’s Bob Ford and Daily News’ Marcus Hayes discussed the contract issue in a video you can find here.
Corner backs: Asante Samuel, with his long hair, constant barking and knack for interceptions, will always draw attention. But the biggest story at corner back will be across the field as the Eagles try to find someone to pair with him.
This is one position with a truly wide open competition. Former Patriot Ellis Hobbs seems likely to get the first shot, but he is coming back from surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. Also in the running is Macho Harris, a college corner who spent most of his rookie season at safety. Behind them are Joselio Hanson, who has said he wants to start, and Trevard Lindley, a fourth round draft pick who made a few nice pass break ups in off-season practices.
Finding the answer here will be key before the Eagles embark on a schedule that features Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo and (it seems safe to say) Brett Favre, not to mention a certain number five in Washington.
I’m keeping this brief, because Jeff and I are coming back next week with a much closer look at several crucial position battles, including the one at corner. Consider this a pre-camp warm up.
What do you all think about the Eagles’ corner back options? On first impression, who would you like to see facing off against Rodgers Sept. 12?
And how do you think the Eagles should approach Jackson, reward him for his first two years and lock up his talent, or hold him to his existing contract?
"This is one of the most strongest..."? Nice grammar.— phillyinsd- I really want Macho Harris to start on the right.— matic18
- What? Isn't the problem that they CAN'T easily reward him for his first two years, because they can't escalate him more than 30%? They could give him some huge bonus, but thanks to the Vick decision, rendering that non-recoverable, no team wants to get left holding the bag. Seems like a tough situation. Clearly he deserves more, but the Birds need to promise him that after this season he'll get rewarded. They should even do it publicly, to make it as close to binding as possible.— riw7d
- Yeah phillyinsd, really, "most strongest"? Is this a pre-camp grammar warmup, too? On a football note, I think as fans we would all like to see one of the lesser-knowns step up and fill in at RCB
- The coner position is a "BIG" concern. Roseman did not come close to addressing it in the draft!? But he did draft 2 more receivers (why?) and a TE (why?). The team is loaded at both receiver positions. Tading the 3 receiver picks plus the 4th used on corner could have solved the problem, with a quality player or higher rd draft selction. The corner will be the achilles heal for Eagles. Acutally both coners since Asante has no appetite for tackling. All he wants to do is look good by graping interceptions!— lerze77
- I'm curious to see how Lindley looks in the preseason given the positive reviews so far, but it's hard to imagine getting solid production from whomever takes the position.— sg021
- I'd like to see Harris too. He's obviously not a pure cover guy. How many years though has it been since an opposing WR had trouble getting off the line? I think Harris would be the most physical CB they have. (without seeing the new kid Lindley of course)— jimmyj
- If the Eagles can get a pass rush from their front four I'll feel a lot better about the QBs we have to face this season. It could e toast city out there.— Artiescott
- Should be fun to watch the training camp battles at TE and WR. I write a preview of the offense on my blog: http://therallycap.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/eagles_preseason_offense/— TheRallyCap
- seems like almost every year the eagles go into the season with a hole @ a certain position...for years no wr's , when they let trot walk no MLB , 1 yr no punt returner, then 1 yr no fullback , last year no safety this year no starting CB— the tru 1
- @thetru1 ... what team doesn't have a hole in some area?? I think it's unrealistic to find a team without a hole in either their defense or offence. On a side note, anyone else sick of comments about the validity of articles and grammar? Who cares?!?! Does it bother you that much that you have to take the time out of your day to be the one to "catch" the error? Does it make you feel more of a man? And to the point of validity, if you're not interested in reading an article... don't read it!!! there is no football news these days and the reporters need to write articles... get a life... By the way... GO EAGLES GO!!! Kill the Cowboys!!
Comment removed.- As long as people stay healthy - and that's always a big if - the Birds have enough at the CB spot to get by if the LBs and D-lineman can put more pressure on QBs than they did last year (and, with Bradley back in the middle and more speed on a the OLB positions, that shouldn't be too difficult considering how badly they did last year pressuring QBs). Plus, with more speed and coverage capability at the LB position, they'll be able to cover the short passes that simply killed the team last year. With all the decent (not superstar, at least not right now) guys a CB, they'll find a fit if the rest of the defense improves.— Watching and Waiting
- Any idea what McD is going to do to keep offenses from throwing the wr screen over and over against Asante? Cause if we don't figure that out, it won't matter who is playing RCB (my thought is Hobbs to start the season and then Lindley at some point). Hanson vs Harris for the slot will be a good battle to watch. And for the guy asking why we drafted more wr's and another te, have you ever watched the eagles? Mr Piggy and his favorite piglet calling the plays throw the ball MORE THAN EVERY OTHER OFFENSE, of course they are going to have a surplus of guys who are good at catching it.— The Reddgie
- YO!! Lots of good insight and thought were put into this blog. Anyone who follows the Eagles with half a brain could have done a high school 500 word recapped like this. Maybe Jon could provide us with an evaluation of the Eagles fight song soon....— bonnerlou
- Asante Samuel is a pick off artist yes but I bet he would flinch if my grandma was running at him.— MJPD345
lerze77- They did draft a corner. You even mentioned it. I thought grabbing Lindley in the 4th was a steal. I think you're overreacting with the WR position. They only drafted ONE WR...in the 5th. And I wouldn't call them loaded. After WR3, who do they have? And why a TE??? All they have behind Celek is Ingram, with no NFL experience and a bad knee (again, loaded?). Harbor was an 1st team all-american who killed at the combine. I like the pick. You can't address every need, and you can't address all those needs in the first couple of rounds.— phillychaos- bonnerlou- Stop reading. Problem solved.— phillychaos
