A familiar face will be manning the Umpire position when the officials line up for Wednesday's and Thursday's joint practices with the New England Patriots – Eagles Legend William Thomas has the duties as his officiating career enters its 11th season.
Thomas, an Eagle from 1991-99, jumped into the business when the NFL reached out to former players to gauge their interest in joining the officiating ranks.
"It was something that interested me, getting back on the field," said Thomas, who started in the Colonial Athletic League in college football, then moved to the American Athletic Conference for three years, and is now in his fifth year with the Atlantic Coast Conference. "It's fun, it's fast-moving, and my goal is to become an official in the NFL. That's what I'm working towards."
The fact that Thomas is a former Eagle has no bearing on his officiating – he was in South Philadelphia last summer as part of the NFL's John Mackey Development Program when the Cleveland Browns had joint practice work against the Eagles – but he will see some familiar faces from his Umpire position.
"It's all business," he said. "Our officiating team will conduct practice the way the coaches on both teams are asking. If you see it, call it. That's the name of the game. I've been in the NFL's program for five years and you just always want to get better at what you're doing.
"The fact that it's the Eagles – that doesn't matter. These teams put a great deal of value on the joint practices and we have our jobs to do. That's all it is."
As an Umpire, Thomas stands behind the offense and focuses on pre-snap movement and then, largely, the offensive line on every play to look for infractions. The muck in the trenches can be difficult to distinguish, but Thomas has an advantage: He's been out there in the NFL and he knows what to look for. He knows all the tricks of the trade.
"I can read what's happening and I think that helps me, but you still have to make the right call and you have to be in position to make the right call," he said. "Just like a player, you want to get better and better each and every game. That's what I'm trying to do."
And just like the players and the coaches, Thomas and the officials will watch video of the practice after the game and assess their performance. There is a very direct goal in mind.
"I love what I'm doing at the college level," he said. "It's great. But, sure, I want to be in the NFL someday as an official and having these practices is important for us, too.
"You know, I was never one to say much to the officials when I played and, really, the guys don't say a whole lot. They might remind you to watch something extra close, but we're already doing that. I understand what the players are going through because I was there with them. Shoot, just like them, I want to have great practices. I want to be perfect."
