The Eagles' rookies and new veteran acquisitions were briskly thrown into life as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles during the post-draft mini-camp. It was a baptism by fire of sorts as the entire team practiced. However, the two-day rookie camp which began Wednesday and the OTAs for rookies and selected vets which start next Tuesday are run a bit differently.

These camps allow the coaches to give each player greater individual attention and guidance towards becoming an integral part of the Eagles organization.  

"This camp is huge for me," rookie receiver/returner DeSean Jackson said on Wednesday after the first practice. "I feel like things are slowed down, plays are put in at a slower pace. Coaches are able to key in, help us and make us more comfortable in this offense."

WR DeSean Jackson

"Once I get comfortable and really know everything I'm doing - so I can run out to the line of scrimmage and it's already programmed in my head (what to do), I feel like I'll be a great player for this offense," said Jackson. 

The players on defense are just as positively affected by the extra work.

"This period has really been good for working with the coach, learning the system, learning the drills, learning how he (defensive line coach Pete Jenkins) wants you to use the techniques," said the Eagles' first pick, defensive tackle Trevor Laws. "Just being rookies and selected veterans out there we get so much more attention so it is a good learning period."

It is not just rookies that find the extra time of preparation advantageous.

Running back Lorenzo Booker is entering his second NFL season, but his first as an Eagle after being traded from the Miami Dolphins April 26. Learning the new offense like the rookies are, Booker participated in the camp as well.

"I felt 180 degrees different today (compared to the post-draft mini-camp)," Booker said Wednesday. "Just knowing everything, I was actually able to play as opposed to wondering if I am doing the right thing, wondering if I am lining up on the right side, or wondering if I am running the right route. Those were all things that were gone in terms of coming into this camp."

Booker remained in Philadelphia and around the NovaCare complex after the post-draft mini-camp so that he would be ready to go when this camp began.

"You can't play when you're thinking that's just the bottom line," he said. 

Booker has even told his family that "this is the most comfortable I have ever been with any team I have joined for the first time: high school, college, whatever. Questions I would ask Kevin (Kolb) in the huddle weren't 'What am I doing?' It was pretty much getting timing down ...developing a little bit of chemistry.  I can start focusing on the little things rather than everything."

There is a saying from legendary college basketball coach Bob Knight, "Play with passion, practice with purpose." Right now, the purpose is for these rookies and selected veterans to get to the point where everything the Eagles do on the football field is second nature so when the season begins they can play with the passion and desire that got them to this level.