We start with A.Q. Shipley, the former Penn State All-America center who spent the 2010 season on the Eagles practice squad. Coming into camp, Shipley was expected to compete with both Jamaal Jackson and Mike McGlynn for the starting center job, with the idea that he was a good fit for Howard Mudd's blocking scheme.
On Friday, Shipley did take all the first-team reps in both the morning and afternoon sessions, but he took those reps at right guard rather than center. It was, in fact, the first time Shipley had played guard in his entire life.
"I just got out (to practice) and coach Mudd was like, 'Go in,' Shipley said. "So it was good to be out there. I was learning on the fly, but it's good experience."
Shipley added that he'll have to prove his versatility if he's to make the 53-man roster, especially considering that the Eagles' draft class includes three interior linemen - including first-round pick Danny Watkins, the projected starter at right guard, who is still unsigned.
As for his impressions of his new position coach, Shipley has enjoyed the first two days of practice.
"I love him," Shipley said of Mudd. "He has our best interests in mind. He's a heck of a coach. His techniques are obviously different than what we've had so we're all working hard and learning."
The rest of the offensive line stayed mostly the same from the day before, with Jason Peters at left tackle, Todd Herremans at left guard, Jackson at center and King Dunlap at right tackle. Mike McGlynn also got some reps at center, while Austin Howard worked in at left tackle.
Rookie running back Dion Lewis and former Giant wide receiver Sinorice Moss also worked in with the first-team offense occasionally.
Meanwhile, on defense, the player of the day was defensive end Phillip Hunt, the former Canadian Football League sack champion. Hunt worked mostly on the left side of the line Friday and was a constant pain for whoever was across from him - primarily Dunlap.
Casey Matthews continued to get the first-team reps at middle linebacker, while he and Jamar Chaney, working on the strong side in the base defense, were the two nickel linebackers.
The atmosphere should pick up on Saturday as the Eagles faithful will fill the stands for the first time of training camp. Expect the support of the crowd to give the players a little extra pep in their step under the Bethlehem sun.
