9/5/08 ... 9:10 am

With DeSean Jackson slated to make his first NFL start at the "Z" receiver position on Sunday, he would become just the fourth rookie in the Andy Reid era to start on opening day joining John Welbourn (RT in 1999), Corey Simon (DT in 2000), and Shawn Andrews (RG in 2004). He would also become the first rookie receiver to start for the Eagles on opening day since Calvin Williams did so in 1990.

Puzzled by why Jackson is called the "Z" receiver? According to Andy Reid the "Z," also known as the flanker, is the receiver that lines up on the same side of a normal offensive formation as the tight end and is off the line of scrimmage. Because he is not on the line of scrimmage, he is eligible to go into motion before the snap.

The "X" receiver, or the split end, is lined up on the line of scrimmage and generally has a tougher time getting off the line of scrimmage because the cornerback can line up directly in front of that receiver.

On any given play, seven players (no more or no less) are allowed to be lined up on the line of scrimmage at any point after the team breaks the huddle. In normal formations, five of those must be the offensive linemen and any two of the receivers, tight ends or running backs that may be flanked out.

9/3/08 ... 8:30 am

Blog Head has learned this morning that WR Reggie Brown, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the team's second preseason game vs. Carolina, is scheduled to return to practice today. In addition, DE Chris Clemons (calf) is slated to practice today as the Eagles gear up for their season opener vs. St. Louis.

9/1/08 … 8:40 am

The team announced its practice squad this morning. Among those added were LB Andy Studebaker, FB Jed Collins, CB Kyle Arrington, DT Mike Marquardt, WR Willie Reid, OT Chris Patrick, CB Trae Williams and WR Shaheer McBride. Tank Daniels, acquired off waivers from the Giants yesterday, is in Philadelphia this morning and will practice today wearing jersey #50.

Arrington, Collins, Marquardt, McBride and Studebaker were all released as part of the Eagles final roster cut down on Saturday.

Patrick (6-4, 280) spent the 2008 preseason with San Francisco and Detroit. He originally signed with the New York Giants as a rookie free agent in 2007, but was released and claimed by New England that summer before landing on Green Bay's practice squad. A native of Ithaca, MI, he played collegiately at Nebraska.

Reid, a 3rd round draft pick of Pittsburgh in 2006, saw action in six games with the Steelers over the last two seasons. In 2007, he caught 4 passes for 54 yards. Reid was one of Florida State's top punt returners in school history, joining Deion Sanders (1,429) as the only other player to top the 1,000-yard plateau in punt return yardage in a career with 1,063. His average of 15.4 yards per punt return is ranked first in school history.

Williams (5-10, 195) was selected in the 5th round of the 2008 draft by Jacksonville after a stellar career at South Florida, where he finished his college career ranked second in school history with 16 interceptions, and first in return yards (219) and touchdowns (4). The Plant City, FL, native played alongside CB Mike Jenkins, a first round draft pick of Dallas in 2008, in college.

8/24/08 … 8:30 am

The MRI performed on the ankle of safety Brian Dawkins yesterday revealed a mild tendon strain. According to head coach Andy Reid, Dawkins will not practice today but should be ready to play in the team's season opener vs. St. Louis on September 7.

8/20/08 … 8:30 am

The Eagles starting units will see plenty of action Friday night in New England as Andy Reid is slated to play his starters into the 3rd quarter. One starter that will definitely not play is WR Reggie Brown, who will be sidelined with a hamstring strain. Rookie WR DeSean Jackson will take his place in the starting lineup. As far as Shawn Andrews' status, Coach Reid has been pleased and encouraged by his week of practice but no determination has yet been made on whether he will see action on Friday night.

8/19/08 ... 4:00 pm

Defensive end Trent Cole left this afternoon's practice with an illness. He is listed as day-to-day and the club is hopeful he can return to action tomorrow. Also missing today's practice were WR Reggie Brown (hamstring), DE Chris Clemons (calf), DE Victor Abiamiri (wrist), DT Montae Reagor (knee), WR Jamal Jones (rib), and WR Frantz Hardy (ankle)

8/19/08 … 8:30 am

Sidelined by a wrist injury that occurred on July 27, Victor Abiamiri continues to make progress during his rehabilitation after surgery. Abiamiri visited with team hand specialist, Dr. John Taras, yesterday and was told his rehabilitation is going fine and needs to continue the process. He will be re-evaluated again by Taras in a few more weeks.

8/18/08 … 9:09 am

The Eagles will have a new fullback taking some of the reps with the first team offense today at practice. His name is Tony Hunt, the team's third round draft pick in 2007. Hunt has impressed head coach Andy Reid with his play on offense and, more importantly, on special teams in recent weeks.

8/16/08 ... 9:17 am

The MRI performed on WR Reggie Brown on Friday determined that he has a strained left hamstring and he will not participate in practice today. There is still no update on the practice status of G Shawn Andrews, who is participating in meetings this morning at the NovaCare Complex.

8/13/08 ... 8:00 am

LT Tra Thomas (back spasms) will be a gametime decision for Thursday night's preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. If Thomas cannot play, LG Todd Herremans will start at LT and Scott Young will start at LG. The only player on the active roster who has been ruled out for Thursday's game is DE Victor Abiamiri (wrist). There is no update on G Shawn Andrews, who is day-to-day and remains on the Active/Physically Unable To Perform list.

8/12/08 … 8:00 am

The Eagles starters will play approximately the entire first half of their nationally-televised preseason contest on Thursday against Carolina, according to head coach Andy Reid. Today marks the final day in which fans can watch practice at Lehigh as the Eagles prepare to break camp tomorrow after a short morning walk through. Reid reflected this morning about practicing under the watchful eyes of Eagles fans, "The players definitely focus in a little bit more. They talk about it all the time, saying they need to bring their 'A' game in front of the fans."

8/11/08 … 8:00 am

G Shawn Andrews, who arrived at Eagles training camp at Lehigh University Sunday, will not partake in practice today. Head coach Andy Reid will continue to evaluate his status on a daily basis. Andrews will condition with the team's strength and conditioning staff and take part in meetings. He will not be available to the media until he returns to practice.

8/10/08 … 8:00 am

A pair of news items arose this morning as the Eagles return to the practice field on Sunday at Lehigh. First, Asante Samuel will return to practice today after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. The Eagles also shook up the roster with the release of DT Kimo von Oelhoffen and the addition of rookie DT Mike Marquardt, who played collegiately at Arizona State.

8/7/08

On the eve of the first preseason game of 2008, Blog Head has learned that the Eagles starters will play for a quarter and half against the Steelers. The 2nd group, led on offense by QB Kevin Kolb, will also play a quarter and half, while the 3rd stringers will work the fourth quarter. CB Asante Samuel (hamstring), DTs Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee) and Montae Reagor (knee), DE Victor Abiamiri (wrist surgery), and OL Franklin Dunbar (back) will not make the trip across the state.

8/4/08 … 8:00 am

One of the last teams in the NFL to practice live tackling during training camp, the Eagles will partake in the last of those drills during today's morning practice. Coach Reid told Blog Head this morning that he will end those drills after today as the team prepares for its first preseason contest at Pittsburgh on Friday night. "It's a dying dog," Reid said of the full-contract drills, "but it still works for us."

8/3/08

During training camp and other parts of the season, the Eagles will conduct a practice that is termed 10/10/10. For fans not familiar with that type of practice and who witness certain periods of action when every pass is completed and other periods when most passes are intercepted, Blog Head got an in-depth explanation this morning as to what occurs during those sessions.

The practice is broken down into segments of 10 plays that are geared towards a specific aspect (i.e., down-the-field throws, screen passes, etc.) of the offense, defense, and special teams unit. The practices are designed to work on player assignments during the course of the play without contact.

During an offensive segment, for instance, the defensive "scout team" is instructed to cover specific routes and receivers at full speed after the snap but told not to challenge for the football once it's in the air. With those parameters, most plays result in a completion by the offense.

On the flip side, the "scout team" quarterback is instructed by the defensive coaches to throw to one specific receiver during each play. That receiver must run the route full speed, and is often covered heavily based on particular assignments by the defensive player. By design, therefore, many interceptions occur during that period.

8/1/08 ... 8:15 am

Bloghead has learned that the Eagles are utilizing the coach-to-player radio communications on defense for the first time this camp. NFL owners approved this rule change this past offseason. Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley will be the primary signal caller on defense and will wear the headset, while Omar Gaither will wear the back-up headset. Only one player on defense has the abiilty to hear the coaches play calls at any time. 

8/1/08 ... 7:00 am

The pads will be back on this morning at Lehigh as the Eagles will focus on their two-minute, hurry up offense and defensive schemes. The coaches will also focus on a move-the-ball period that will begin at midfield and a backed-up period in which the offense will begin with the ball at the one-yard line. The Eagles welcomed WPHT's Michael Smerconish back to his alma mater as he is broadcasting live from the practice fields on 1210 AM. 

7/31/08

Eagles coach Andy Reid will scale back their morning practice today as players 30 years-and-older have been given the morning off and due to the number of players missing because of injury, especially on the defensive line. The team will not practice in full pads for either practice today. This morning's practice will emphasize the red zone.

7/30/08

Eagles DE Chris Clemons, who was hospitalized after yesterday morning's practice, was back on campus last night. He participated in team meetings and was feeling much better, but he will be held out of today's workouts. However, according to head coach Andy Reid, Clemons has a decent chance to return to practice tomorrow.

7/28/08 … 8:00 am

Eagles DE Victor Abiamiri dislocated a bone in his right wrist during Sunday morning's practice. He has consulted with team physician Peter DeLuca and team hand specialist John Taras today. An update on further treatments and status will be announced at a later time. Heading into his second season, the 2007 second round draft pick from Notre Dame is slated to play a big role in the Eagles defensive line rotation.

7/27/08 … 8:05 am

Eagles head coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner met yesterday afternoon with CB Lito Sheppard and his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on the campus of Lehigh University. This morning, Reid described the meeting as very positive, saying "they were able to express their feelings and we were able to do the same. It was good, open communication."

Following this afternoon's practice, Reid will eagerly try to catch the end of the Arena Bowl, which begins at 3 pm. "I hope Jaws and company can bring home the trophy to Philadelphia. The Soul have had a great year and I will be pulling for them."

7/26/08 ... 7:50 am

Donning full pads for the first time in nearly seven months, the Eagles will focus on base personnel and nickel formations in practice this morning. There will be one live period in which full-contact tackling will take place. As he said earlier in training camp, Andy Reid believes that blocking and tackling are the foundation of football. "If you don't do those well then you're probably not going to win very many games. And I think in order to do those well I think you need to practice it."

7/25/08 ... 8:05 am

Shawn Andrews, the only member of the Eagles 80-man roster to not arrive to Lehigh last night, will be placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list today. As of this morning, there is no further indication on when he will report to camp.

This morning, the Eagles will conduct their annual conditioning test on the school's practice fields. Coach Reid has emphasized the importance of this test to the players. Reid indicated to us earlier today that "the test is a good barometer to see who's really in shape and who really worked hard this past offseason."

7/24/08 ... 8:15 am

Andy Reid responded succinctly this morning to a published report that the Packers called the Eagles regarding a potential trade for Brett Favre. "They called and there is no interest on our part whatsoever."

Reid went on to say how well he feels about his team's quarterback position, a group he believes is as good as any in the NFL with five-time Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb, last year's 2nd round draft pick Kevin Kolb, and A.J. Feeley.

Today's practice will be held inside Rauch Field House due to the wet field conditions caused by heavy rain showers overnight.

7/23/08

7/22/08

Rookies Trevor Laws (foot), Bryan Smith (hamstring) and Jack Ikegwuonu (knee) were all placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list today. But don't fret about Laws and Smith, who Andy Reid believes will return to action in the near future. This morning, Reid said Smith's MRI yesterday turned out more positive than expected and that he'll miss just a few days of camp. Laws is also expected to miss a couple of days as well with a foot injury suffered while working out in preparation for training camp.

For those not familiar with such NFL jargon, the PUP list is often utilized by teams for any injured players heading into training camp. Once a player is put on that list he can return to practice at any time during the course of camp. In the event a player's injury lasts longer into the regular season, he would not count against the 53-man roster and would be eligible to return after the 6th week. Ikegwuonu, however, is expected to miss the entire season as he rehabilitates from an ACL injury suffered during a workout prior to the NFL draft.