Kolb expected for part of rookies camp

If the first minicamp was a crash course, the organized team activities for Eagles rookies that begin Wednesday will be like NFL Football 101.

With only selected veterans also in attendance, 27 rookies will spend six practices over the next week learning the finer points of the Eagles' offense, defense, and special teams.

The first two practices will be held Wednesday and Thursday, and the final four will run from Monday through next Thursday. All 13 of the Eagles' draft picks from last month, and 14 additional undrafted free agents - including Boo Robinson, a defensive tackle signed Tuesday - will be on hand.

Several veterans fighting for roster spots are expected to participate in the OTAs, as these activities are known. At minicamp two weeks ago, quarterback Kevin Kolb said that he would make the final four dates even though he is under no obligation to. Donovan McNabb, for instance, skipped rookie camp his last several years as the Eagles' starting quarterback.

Backup quarterback Michael Vick will also miss the first two days. No Kolb or Vick means more snaps for Mike Kafka. The third-string rookie will need all the repetitions he can get.

Drafted in the fourth round, Kafka played in a spread offense at Northwestern, where he estimated he took approximately 98 percent of the snaps in the shotgun.

Kafka will split time under center with Joey Elliott, an undrafted rookie out of Purdue. This set of OTAs and the voluntary full team ones that follow in early June are primarily passing camps. Because of that, perhaps more is expected of the quarterbacks, receivers, and defensive backs.