Practice Blog: August 2
August 2, 2006
| Last Updated: 8/3/06 1:02 PM ET
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It didn't reach 100 degrees during practice at Lehigh on Wednesday, but that didn't matter to Correll Buckhalter, who was back on the practice field for the morning workout. If you can't be here to experience the action for yourself, make sure to check out our daily practice blog to get all of the details ...
No surprise here, as receiver Hank Baskett continued to impress me, and everyone in sight with his excellent route running and ability to make the tough catch. Since Hank has become the "it" guy here at camp a few weeks ago, I've had a chance to talk with him, and I think his personality off-the-field may out due his play on-the-field. Great guy and I love seeing how well he is doing.
--Shane Evans, 3:34 p.m. Cornerback Dexter Wynn showed good alertness as he was able to bring in an interception on a tipped ball. Dexter then hustled up field jabbing all the way until the whistle blew. Great enthusiasm from Wynn.
--Shane Evans 3:24 p.m. To battle the heat, the training staff was ushering around "ice towels." It was what looked like a plastic material dunked in ice water and then thrown on the players heads, sometimes when they weren't paying attention. You can only imagine the faces some of them made.
--Shane Evans, 3:20 p.m. Practice then switched to special teams and coordinator John Harbaugh brought out some trick plays for the unit to run. One had punter Dirk Johnson flinging a pass to the sidelines. The others centered around long snapper/tight end Mike Bartrum who for both plays was lined up as the upback. Fullback/tight end Stephen Spach snapped the ball to Bartrum who then lofted one way down field. The second attempt had Bartrum gunning it to the flanker on the right side. The Eagles special teams has been known for some trickery in the past so this was nothing too new.
--Shane Evans, 3:07 p.m. The versatile Stephen Spach had a nice catch down the sidelines, where the big guy got both hands on the ball and was able to bring it in with two defenders on him. Nice to see from the guy who has primarily been a blocker so far in his career.
--Shane Evans, 2:56 p.m. Also from that formation, the Eagles receivers were running a lot of routes over the middle. Everyone who had a pass thrown their way hauled it in, including a couple nice grabs from Jabar Gaffney and Jason Avant
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--Shane Evans, 2:53 p.m. During the afternoon practice that was even more humid and uncomfortable than the morning session, the Eagles offense worked from the shotgun formation. On two occasions, running back Correll Buckhalter took the ball on a draw and darted up the middle. Non-contact of course, but Buck still moved well. I hope he plays on Sunday, but it's pretty unlikely.
--Shane Evans, 2:50 p.m. While the special teams were practicing, head coach Andy Reid was bellowing for any lineman who wasn't part of the teams to get off the field and cool down. As they walked off the field, the big guys were suited with "Cool Clads" which basically looks like a flak jacket that is soaked in ice water. The purpose of this device is pretty self explanatory. I might have to go grab one for myself.
--Shane Evans 10:07 a.m. As usual, practice switched to special teams, but for a very short period today, my guess is, because of the sweltering heat. They looked organized as always, mainly because of the amazing command that coordinator John Harbaugh has over the group.
--Shane Evans, 10:03 a.m. Wide receiver Darnerien McCants made an excellent catch in the end zone over cornerback Rod Hood and safety Sean Considine. McCants is significantly bigger than the two of them and was able to use his long arms to pull in the ball before they could swat it away. Lovely play by the very talented and always approachable McCants. He's definitely one of my players to watch ...
--Shane Evans 9:33 a.m. My play of the day so far has to be the lick that cornerback Lito Sheppard put on running back Correll Buckhalter after catching a pass in the flat. Sheppard drove his shoulder into Buckhalter and pushed him back a good three yards before leveling him into the turf. It was the definition of a 'textbook' tackle. Hopefully we'll be seeing plenty of that from the Pro Bowl cornerback this season.
--Shane Evans, 9:26 a.m. Showing the intensity that we have come to know and love, Brian Dawkins put a little extra shove on wide receiver Jason Avant this morning. The whistle had already blown because of a sack, but Avant had caught the ball. Dawkins then proceeded to put a little shoulder into the talented rookie. After the contact Dawkins gave Avant the trademark stare as he walked back to the huddle. Combined with Trotter, the Eagles boast two of the most energetic and exciting players in football on the defensive side of the ball.
--Shane Evans 9:22 a.m. One of my camp standouts thus far, is the ever-present running back Reno Mahe. He just looks very good out there in full-contact drills and otherwise. He makes people miss and still has the strength to knock people over. I'm excited to see how he does this Sunday against Oakland.
--Shane Evans, 9:17 a.m. A few quick individual position drill notes:
During team-install drills, the offensive line seemed very fired up while working on the sled. The whole offense lined up opposite the metal contraption and ran plays as the sled acted as the defensive line. Normally, the sled is just supposed to be pushed back a few feet. However, the line showed some explosiveness and flipped the thing right over ...with offensive line coach Juan Castillo riding on the other side. Thankfully, displaying his cat-like reflexes, Castillo was able to jump out of the way and was still able to blow his whistle in mid-air. After the showing, Castillo had a wide grin on his face as he walked to the next drill.
--Shane Evans 8:22 a.m. Back practicing today was running back Correll Buckhalter who missed Tuesday's sessions with swelling in his knee. Even more important, he is participating in the "live" contact portions of practice. That's nothing out of the ordinary for Coach Reid to keep a recovering player out of the lineup every now and then. I must say though, Buckhalter has looked very good so far this camp, considering the injuries he has suffered in the past.
--Shane Evans, 8:14 a.m. Well everyone, Wednesday is supposed to be hotter than it was on Tuesday, and as my two sweat-soaked T-shirts can attest, yesterday was a scorcher. According to defensive end Jevon Kearse, the team has to concentrate on hydrating 24 hours a day. The night before, the morning of and all during practice they need to keep the fluids in their system. I think i'm going to adhere to that routine as well ...
--Shane Evans, 8:10 a.m.
AFTERNOON PRACTICE
--Shane Evans, 3:34 p.m.
--Shane Evans 3:24 p.m.
--Shane Evans, 3:20 p.m.
--Shane Evans, 3:07 p.m.
--Shane Evans, 2:56 p.m.
.--Shane Evans, 2:53 p.m.
--Shane Evans, 2:50 p.m.
MORNING PRACTICE
was bellowing for any lineman who wasn't part of the teams to get off the field and cool down. As they walked off the field, the big guys were suited with "Cool Clads" which basically looks like a flak jacket that is soaked in ice water. The purpose of this device is pretty self explanatory. I might have to go grab one for myself.--Shane Evans 10:07 a.m.
--Shane Evans, 10:03 a.m.
--Shane Evans 9:33 a.m.
--Shane Evans, 9:26 a.m.
--Shane Evans 9:22 a.m.
--Shane Evans, 9:17 a.m.
The defensive line was working on the swim move with coach Pete Jenkins. He is quite the teacher and the players definitely listen to him.
The tight ends were getting some pass catching in as they worked on breaking the line and heading into space. The funny thing about this drill was that Mike Bartrum was throwing the passes and they looked excellent. No wonder he was the emergency quarterback for a while last season.
Finally, the cornerbacks were doing a drill that improved their pass defense. Two backs would be running next to each other and one of them would have a ball in their hands and then stick it out in front of them, as if catching the ball. The other would then swat it away as quick as possible. Very good drill.
--Shane Evans 8:30 a.m.
riding on the other side. Thankfully, displaying his cat-like reflexes, Castillo was able to jump out of the way and was still able to blow his whistle in mid-air. After the showing, Castillo had a wide grin on his face as he walked to the next drill.--Shane Evans 8:22 a.m.
--Shane Evans, 8:14 a.m.
--Shane Evans, 8:10 a.m.
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