THE EAGLES still expect that Donovan McNabb will be fully functional by training camp, his shoulder tendinitis cleared up. They expect that marquee free agent signee Asante Samuel and flashy rookie wideout/return man DeSean Jackson will have healthy hamstrings by then, and that corner Lito Sheppard will put aside his contract disappointment to rejoin the mix, since players who don't show up in July get fined.

That's a decent bit of expecting, but maybe that's what "organized team activities'' are for, expecting and projecting. Everybody knows the real work gets done when the pads go on; the seemingly endless rounds of springtime short-pants drilling are for getting the new guys up to speed on the arcane rituals of their new brotherhood.

As Eagles coach Andy Reid put it, after the Birds wrapped up their last gathering before rookies and select vets report to Lehigh July 21: "Well, you get to start to form opinions. That's not wasted time. But at the same time, I've mentioned that we're in shorts . . . It's the first step of evaluation for the players, and I want to see what they can do when they put the pads on.''

Reid said he felt his players "pushed each other, challenged each other, within the framework of the rules that you can do in shorts without contact.''

As for what you get a feel for collectively, in non-contact practices, Reid said: "I think you get a feel of their personality. Again, it seems like this crew gets along well. They're willing to challenge each other, but at the same time there looks to be a good chemistry there. We'll see how things go through training camp, when you're hot and tired and you're beating each other up.''

Obviously, it's better if all those new guys can fully participate in the minicamps, but there is some value in just having them on hand.

Samuel, who was not available for comment yesterday, spent the week watching the defense work, huddled with assistant secondary coach Otis Smith, his former Patriots teammate. There was value in having Smith explain nuances to Samuel, even if Samuel wasn't on the field.

Jackson didn't have any former Cal teammates whispering in his ear, but he felt he progressed, as well.

"I had a lot to learn just watching . . . I feel comfortable and confident [about knowing the playbook],'' he said. "I'm going to work my butt off these next couple of weeks to get ready for training camp. I'm not really worried [about the hamstring].''

McNabb was not available to talk about his shoulder, which a team source again insisted was not a concern going forward. Wideout Reggie Brown said he wasn't worried about McNabb.

"He knows his body. I'm sure he's going to take the right steps to be in shape for the season. That's the only thing that matters, is the season,'' Brown said.

Reid on Roseman

Howie Roseman, recently promoted to the job of player personnel vice president from a job that had more to do with contracts and cap concerns, isn't allowed to talk to reporters, but Reid answered questions yesterday about Roseman's promotion and his role. The profootballtalk.com Web site reported that Jason Licht, Roseman's predecessor, who was fired, might soon be hired by the Arizona Cardinals.

"Howie has worked with us [on personnel matters] the past couple of years,'' Reid said. "And as the years have gone on, we have added a little bit more responsibility each year, and he's handled that well. He has a good relationship with [general manager] Tom [Heckert], and he'll be a nice addition for us.''

Reid said Roseman played an active role in the team's draft preparation this year.

Reid also was asked how common it is for someone to go from working on legal matters to evaluating talent.

"I think you're seeing it with a few teams, when you look around," Reid said. "I don't really care, as long as the guy can evaluate. Whether he played or not, that doesn't matter to me. If he's got a knack for it and an eye for it, that's really all I care about.''

On guard

Shawn Andrews was excused all week to attend to a personal matter. Tackle Winston Justice got extensive work with the first team at Andrews' right guard spot, and Max Jean-Gilles worked there yesterday.

Early this week, Justice seemed mystified by the switch, but Reid said it made sense. He said he liked what he saw when Justice worked a little at guard on the scout team last season, and he decided to take a minicamp look. Backup O-linemen are encouraged to know more than one position.

"He's a good athlete, a big guy that can run, and he looked pretty good at a guard,'' Reid said. "For 3 days there, we gave him an opportunity to work in there and get to know it, and then we can make a decision at training camp whether we give him reps there or not. I want the five best guys out there, and I don't really care what position they play.''

Birdseed

Andy Reid said the fullback position, contested among Jason Davis, Luke Lawton and Jed Collins now that Dan Klecko has returned to the defensive line, will be a "jump ball'' in training camp . . . The Eagles must trim eight players from their roster to sign their remaining draftees and still be at the NFL limit of 80 going to Lehigh. Those cuts could come as soon as today . . . The coaching staff liked the way backup quarterback Kevin Kolb ran the first-team offense this week in Donovan McNabb's place. *