by Jordan Raanan from www.eaglesville.com
8/11/2008- AM
The Eagles morning practice ended prematurely due to lightning and impending rain. Let’s just say this: The players were not disappointed. Never before have so many linemen been seen running so fast with a smile on their face when their wasn’t a fully-stocked buffet at the finish line.
Shawn Andrews was once again not among those Eagles linemen. Despite arriving at Lehigh on Sunday, the All-Pro right guard did not practice. Andrews is suffering from clinical depression and has yet to participate in any training camp workout. He remained out of sight and there was no update on his status.
Cornerback Asante Samuel did take part in Monday morning’s abbreviated workout. Incoming inclement weather, wet turf and a tender hamstring that is still not 100 percent did not pin him to the sidelines. Barring a setback, none of the elements are expected to keep him out of Thursday’s preseason home opener against Carolina.
“He needs to play a little bit,” defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. “He hasn’t played yet. Hopefully he will be ready to go Thursday night and we’re going to play him quite a bit. He has to get used to the playing speed with us, and the defense.”
If Samuel brings the big-play ability that made him a Pro Bowl corner in New England with him to Philadelphia, he will quickly become a fan favorite. But don’t expect to hear much from your new favorite player. Samuel prefers to remain incognito and just take care of his business. He’s not flamboyant and he’s not much of a talker. He wasn’t either in New England. Nothing is expected to change with the Eagles.
The former Patriots star did not speak to the media after returning to practice Sunday or Monday. Mother Nature contributed to his silence on Monday. He is expected to talk Tuesday, when the Eagles run their final two-a-day practice at Lehigh University.
Samuel’s still not completely healthy. After injuring his hamstring — not the same hamstring that was bothering him during minicamp — on the first day of two-a-days, the key free agent signing has visibly been working hard to achieve a full recovery. While he is healthy enough to play right now, he’s not completely back in shape.
“I think he’s getting close,” Johnson said. “I’d put him at around 90-95 percent. We’ll have to see how tired he gets [against Carolina]. When you get tired, that’s when you have to worry about it.”
Another player who was bothered by a hamstring problem earlier in camp, DeSean Jackson, is back in shape. The rookie out of Cal not only had a good game Friday during his debut in Pittsburgh, but he’s carried it over to practice as well. Twice in Monday’s morning practice Jackson burned Eagles defenders on deep patterns for a touchdown. Once he even left the speedy Lito Sheppard in the dust.
Samuel might be able to shut down the blazing rookie — once he’s fully recovered. Until then, the big money baller might want to wait before trying to run step for step with Jackson.
8/11/2008 PM Practice
The Eagles special teams needed the work. Too bad they couldn’t run and hit at full speed on the fields at Lehigh after a poor performance Friday in Pittsburgh followed a season of special teams follies.
The units coached by Rory Segrest (or Rory Springer as he was called by Charley Casserly on the unwatchable Eagles Television Network broadcast) were only able to work on their deficiencies indoors due to inclement weather earlier in the day. And while nobody on special teams really deserves kudos for their efforts in Pittsburgh, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson did complement several players from his unit.
DE Jerome McDougle – If you managed to watch the second half of the Eagles’ preseason opener, McDougle’s standout performance was obvious. “I think McDougle did some good things,” Johnson said. McDougle was all over the field, finishing with two tackles and a whole bunch of Mamulas (almost sacks).
DT Dan Klecko – His stats also don’t tell the story. Klecko was officially credited with just one tackle but was active and caused a holding penalty that would have been a sack. The penalty negated a huge Pittsburgh pass play. Klecko also pushed into the backfield on several occasions. Despite being signed to play fullback, the former Colts and Patriots lineman now seems to be in good shape to make the team. “Montae Reagor is still hurt,” Johnson said. “It’s a great opportunity for Klecko. He’s done a good job.”
LB Akeem Jordan – Jordan finished second behind Joe Mays in tackles with four and once again showed a knack for always being around the ball. “I think Akeem Jordan had another good game,” Johnson said. The Eagles really like the James Madison product.
DT Trevor Laws – The rookie out of Notre Dame recorded the Eagles’ only sack in the preseason loss and was constantly in the backfield. Laws has been impressive ever since overcoming a minor foot injury that kept him out at the start of camp. “For a guy that really played with a lot of pain and injury, he did a good job. I’m happy with him; happy with his progress,” Johnson said. Laws has a lot of similarities with Brodrick Bunkley, who uses his brute force to disrupt offensive plays.
