A fan's guide to training camp
Eagles training camp kicks off Monday evening when rookies and selected veterans check into the Sayre Village dorms that stand high atop the hills at Lehigh University.
But the 2010 version of coach Andy Reid's three-week sweatathon doesn't truly get started until a swarm of Eagles fans trek up the Northeast Extension on Tuesday morning for the first of 34 practice sessions spread out over 18 days.
There's ample reason to venture 50 miles north on opening day and brave the initial crowds and a blistering sun. It will be the first opportunity to catch a glimpse of Kevin Kolb as the Eagles' newest starting quarterback.
But for peak viewing, it's best to show up Saturday and soon thereafter when the full squad is fully equipped to hit.
Here now is one man's guide to maximizing a day at Eagles training camp:
■ If you're coming from Philadelphia, get on the road no later than 5:30 a.m. If you beat traffic, it should take approximately an hour to get to Bethlehem. Before you park near the fields at Goodman Campus, head to the nearby Bagel Basket (1850 Friedensville Rd.) for a breakfast sandwich.
■ Lehigh police begin allowing fans to park and tailgate — without booze — sometime after 6:30 a.m. Gates open a half hour later. Don't question your sanity for attending an intrasquad practice and get in line early. Grab a seat in the bleachers that line the field where that day's scrimmage is scheduled to be held. Don't stand along the fence unless you want to have your view obstructed by grubby sportswriters and VIP season ticket holders.
■ Apply sunscreen. Drink water. Repeat throughout day. Observe the individual drills. Enjoy the one-on-one drills. The best: The defensive ends trying to get past the tackles and the cornerbacks matching up opposite the wide receivers.
■ When Reid blows his whistle and the entire team — sans specialists — runs to one field then you know its time for the live hitting portion of practice. The first-team offense faces the second-team defense and vice versa, while both third teams compete against each other. Only in the rarest moments do both first teams line up and hit. During contact scrimmages, take note of which players thrive and which ones look like the second coming of Lorenzo Booker. Cross your fingers that you're present for at least one brawl.
■ After morning practice, check out Lehigh's leafy campus. Ponder how families can afford to pay the $52,000 yearly cost of attendance. Grab lunch at the Hawks' Nest in Lamberton Hall student center or at Goosey Gander on West Fourth Street or, even better, across the street at Deja Brew. Get the "Andretti."
■ If you're so inclined, head back to Goodman for the afternoon practice. It'll be hotter and the latter session isn't as lively. If watching David Akers kick field goal after field goal doesn't entice you, head to the merchandise tent and splurge on the new 1960 retro jersey. Or have the kids burn off some energy at the Play 60 Zone. If it's raining, the team moves indoors. You cannot attend.
■ There are other local attractions: Dorney Amusement Park, the Sands Casino, and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs — the triple-A Phillies club. OK, "attractions" is a stretch. There's plenty of golf, although you probably won't be able to get on ultra-exclusive Saucon Valley Country Club.
■ Once the afternoon practice is over, head across the Lehigh River and into Bethlehem's other more "glitzy" downtown. Walk up and down Main Street. Eat dinner at the Bethlehem Brew Works (569 Main St.), or if you're looking for something finer (read: more expensive), try the Apollo Grill (85 W. Broad St.) or the Starfish Brasserie (51 W. Broad St.).
■ If former steel towns aren't your style and you just want to catch a bite on your way home, hit Melt or Copperhead Grille in Center Valley. But if you're staying overnight and want to grab a beer
and possibly run into some Eagles players, there's Starters Riverport (17 W. Second) or Tally-Ho Tavern (205 W. Fourth). Or you could just venture to one of the town's fine gentlemen's clubs.
Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Jeff_McLane.