Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013

Who did best at Lehigh?

With the Lehigh portion of training camp over, it's time to take a look at the best performances by the Eagles veterans so far.

25 comments

Who did best at Lehigh?

POSTED: Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 6:16 PM

With the Lehigh portion of training camp over, it's time to take a look at the best performances by the Eagles veterans so far. (Here's a look at the team's top eight rookies who may see playing time this season.)

The backup tight ends: Third-year vet Clay Harbor thrived in camp, particularly in Brent Celek's absence because of a mild MCL sprain in his right knee. Harbor needed a strong showing since his performance at the Organized Team Activities in the spring was dreadful.

Now quarterback Michael Vick has the confidence to throw to Harbor in a crowd, across the middle, to the sideline--Harbor made all the catches. When camp began, the team pursued Visanthe Shiancoe and was rumored to be considering Jeremy Shockey. No more. Harbor proved his case and will see time subbing in for Celek and also in two tight-end sets.

Similarly, Brett Brackett, who spent the 2011 season on the practice squads of both Jacksonville and the Eagles, showed he's picking up the nuances of being a tight end. He was a wide receiver at Penn State.

"I think I need to work on a little bit of everything," Brackett said. "I never played tight end until I got to the NFL, so I'm just trying to get better every day. Getting the reps and doing the best I can."

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: From the start, DRC showed why he shouldn't have played so much slot coverage last season. Out wide, he shut down DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin routinely, picked off passes, and proved to be a nuisance for the offense. Perhaps the only bad judgment DRC made all camp was going with a green mohawk a few days into camp.

As Vick told Les Bowen early in camp, "It's hard to throw against him. He's fast, man. He can jump routes, quick, smart. It's clear he should have been on the outside last year."

Chad Hall: The third-year wide receiver must be using old-school, Lester Hayes-style Stickum on his hands because he caught everything thrown his way. He looks most promising as a slot receiver, but the trick may be finding a roster spot for him.

He and DeSean Jackson handled the majority of punt returns last year, but rookie Damaris Johnson is the leading candidate now, with Jackson as a spot backup if needed. Hall could also be used as a kickoff returner, but Brandon Boykin and Johnson can handle that role. The Eagles would need to keep six receivers or pull some roster voodoo for Hall to stay: Jackson, Maclin, Jason Avant, injured Riley Cooper, and Johnson seem in, with Hall the odd man out if only five make the roster.

The kickers: Speaking of possible victims of numbers, welcome to the club, Chas Henry. The Eagles brought in two-time Pro Bowler Mat McBriar and then installed him as the top guy on the depth chart. However, Henry, the second-year punter who struggled at times last season, responded to the challenge and is giving McBriar a battle.

Tuesday, the two were on a side field booming kicks. As Henry said earlier about the showdown with McBriar, "He's a good guy, and I have no hard feelings. I'd love to stay in Philly, I love the town, the community, the organization, so we'll see how it goes. But I understand that's part of the business."

And although kicker Alex Henery has no competition, he has had a stellar camp, drilling short and long field-goal attempts and showing he can drive the ball on kickoffs. The 51-yard game-winner against the Steelers would have been good from up to 60 yards.

John Roach @ 6:16 PM  Permalink | 25 comments
25 comments
Comments  (25)
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:01 PM, 08/14/2012
    I hope they find a place for Hall. He epitomizes working class Philly. I have nothing against a guy who shows up to work everyday and gives it his all. Unlike others who take a plays / days off.
    PhillyPhan59
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:32 PM, 08/15/2012
    Chad Hall should play safety. It makes as much sense as an offensive line coach switching to defensive coordinator.
    ANDY-IS-FAT
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:58 PM, 08/14/2012
    @phillyphan, he may give it his all but like the song, his all ain't good enough.
    eagles-fan-in-texas
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:04 PM, 08/14/2012
    Unforchanately, I think Mr. Hall will be a dangling Chad. He just does not have the speed, shiftiness or enough talent to hold off the likes of Damaris Johnson or Brandon Boykin, whom, I suspect both have the same work ethic as Chad if not greater. Chad is a good guy and a good patriot, but this is football. He catches the ball well but he does not make plays after the catch Hopefully he will find a job on another team. Perhaps Andy Reid can help him find a new team!!! Best of luck Chad.
    Eaglehaslanded
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:09 PM, 08/14/2012
    I met unfortunately
    Eaglehaslanded
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:32 PM, 08/14/2012
    Hall was a nice story two years ago when the Eagles could afford to take a flyer on a guy like that. All he is doing now is taking a roster spot from a legitimate NFL player. Time for Mr. Hall to get back to refueling airplanes or whatever it was he was doing prior to his NFL fantasy camp.
    coloradoeagle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:52 PM, 08/14/2012
    As Buddy would say say, Hall should be moving on to do his life's work.
    watsonmr
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:32 AM, 08/15/2012
    you guys said the same thing about danny amendola, who then went on to catch 85 balls for the rams. the same thing was said about welker and chrebet until they got real chances.

    i think cooper should go on PUP, and hall make the team.
    Mr.Sinatra
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:49 AM, 08/15/2012
    You said it man. I could see him ending up as a good slot reciever on another team instead of the Eagles but I am pulling for him because he is prior Air Force.
    urbnasty
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:53 AM, 08/15/2012
    maybe we could try chad hall at left tackle
    forbes_rory
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:21 AM, 08/15/2012
    Keep Chas Henry. He'll be good enough this year, and give us a punter for years to come.
    armchairGM
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:44 AM, 08/15/2012
    JOE ROACH IS BALD!!
    HAROLD Eskin
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:56 AM, 08/15/2012
    I guess no love for McNutt? If the Eagles keep six, will he make the team?
    Commish
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:05 AM, 08/15/2012
    Eaglehaslanded - you also ment "ment". Try not to drink and type. :)
    Richard Saunders
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 08/16/2012
    Wow. Really hope you meant this as a joke.
    J.P.Melle


View comments: 1  |  2
About this blog
Written by Andrew O'Brien and the Philly.com Sports staff, Red Zone is your place for a national look at the Philadelphia Eagles, from where they rank among the competition to what the national media is saying about your favorite team, and even live game chats with thousands of Eagles fans from around the country. Reach Andrew at aobrien@philly.com.

Andrew O'Brien Philly.com Sports Contributor
Philly.com Sports Videos
Blog archives:
Past Archives: