by Jordan Raanan from www.eaglesville.com
8/1/08- AM & PM Practices
It was a tough morning for Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown. Then again, every morning has seemed like a tough morning for Brown throughout training camp.
Too many dropped passes. Too many dropped passes for his or the coaches’ liking.
“I was kind of feeling a little lazy, tired, fatigue early in the morning [Friday]. When you get up, you’re like, aahhh,” the Eagles’ starting wide receiver said with an accompanying laugh. “Just came out a little sluggish today.”
Lazy, fatigued, tired? Joke or not, Brown probably wants to avoid making excuses for his lack of execution.
The problem is that Brown has appeared to be sluggish too often. It has resulted in giving up on balls too early and an unexceptable number of drops. It’s exactly what made Brown’s 2007 campaign such a disappointment.
The fourth-year pro was expected to become the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver last season. He finished with just 61 catches for 780 yards and four touchowns. Not exactly Pro Bowl numbers. More like Todd Pinkston numbers.
The degression is not from a lack of hard work. Brown puts in extra time on the practice field on a regular basis and truly cares about the game.
On Friday morning, after dropping two wide-open deep passes, the determined wideout started catching balls from a coaching assistant. He had his hands on his hips and was disappointed in himself. Former Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael even felt the need to offer a bit of advice.
Brown later hauled in a big catch near the end zone. It’s a routine that has become commonplace the last two weeks -- Brown struggles and drops several balls, only to rebound with a significant play.
All the tools are there for Brown. He has pretty good size at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds. He has good speed and good strength. Sometimes, though, something just seems to be missing. That something was missing on Friday morning, and has been MIA for most of camp.
As for the rest of practice on Friday morning, it took place without Brian Dawkins and Brian Westbrook. Dawkins hyperextended his knee earlier in the week and was out on the field watching his teammates work. Westbrook was not at practice due to an illness. And, no, it’s not contractitis.
Afternoon
Earlier it was stated that Reggie Brown is not having a great camp. So who is performing well? Let’s fill you in:
· WR Hank Baskett – Hank the Tank is doing his best to garner Mr. Lehigh honors for the second time in three years. He looks more cut and stronger than ever and even looks faster. Bottom line is Baskett makes plays every day to catch the coaches’ eyes. Those leaping grabs over defenders’ backs certainly do the trick.
· QB Kevin Kolb – The future of the Eagles wasn’t at his best on Friday morning but he’s been solid throughout camp. Kolb seems composed, comfortable and has all the physical tools necessary to be a successful starting quarterback. He looks off his primary target when necessary and has exhibited great poise and patience in the pocket.
· QB Donovan McNabb – So much for that sore shoulder during minicamp. McNabb is throwing lasers all over Lehigh and looks to be in amazing shape.
· DT Dan Klecko – Coach Andy Reid admitted he’s surprised. Ditto defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Klecko was originally brought in to play fullback this offseason. Now he may be the frontrunner to nab the fourth and final defensive tackle spot ahead of Montae Reagor and the injured Kimo von Oelhoffen. Klecko is constantly in the backfield and fits the intelligent, resourceful mold the Eagles love.
· CB Sheldon Brown – He’s not flashy or dominant. Brown is just a very solid all-around football player. So far during camp he’s the Eagles’ best cornerback. Brown has been physical and hasn’t gotten beat very often.
· S Quintin Demps – The Eagles think so much of his athleticism and physicality they are using him at safety, cornerback and even for some punt returns. Demps has done what he has done throughout his life – make plays. And he has looked so smooth doing it too.
· TE Brent Celek – The second-year pro showed flashes last year of being a significant NFL tight end. He has done nothing to disprove that this summer. Celek has caught everything that has come his way and seems to find a way to get open.
· G Todd Herremans – His starting job was in jeopardy heading into camp, but the Daily News’ Sexy Single looks better than ever. He’s dropped 10 pounds and is much more muscular than the past. Herremans has been strong and steady so far during training camp.
· RB Correll Buckhalter – Buck edged out Lorenzo Booker for the final honor because of his steadiness. As one player noted, “it’s like having Buck 2003 out there.” His burst looks great and he’s been very difficult to tackle. Buckhalter just happened to rip off a 30-yard run on Friday morning.
Not much happened this afternoon at Lehigh University when the Eagles ran through a special teams practice. But there was plenty of action in the morning session. Check
www.eaglesville.com for full details.
