SB Nation User Blog: JasonB

Brian Westbrook & Lito Sheppard report for camp

JasonB — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:36:59 -0000

Breath your sigh of relief... Brian Westbrook is in the house.

I just wanted to give my agent … the opportunity to talk to (team president) Joe (Banner) and get something done," Westbrook said. "I think that the agents that I did not hire have put out a lot of vicious rumors that are trying to ruin my credibility, and all those things that I read definitely are not all true."

Westbrook said holding out was a possibility, but he wanted to create the best opportunity for renegotiating his contract.

Westbrook also backed off his earlier assertion that he was looking for upwards of $30 million guaranteed in a new deal.

"I didn't mention that as a number that I was necessarily looking for," Westbrook said in a comparison with the contract San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson received in 2004. "It was an extreme example, but that's just how contracts work, usually, over the years."

For now, all is well at Lehigh.

Shawn Andrews not at camp, but contract is not an issue

JasonB — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:03:09 -0000

Earlier today a "league source" told Pro Football Talk that Shawn Andrews would hold out of Eagles camp "apparently due to displeasure with his contract."

The "league source" was apparently not anyone from the Eagles or anyone representing Shawn Andrews... from the official site

The Eagles have confirmed that Pro Bowl right guard Shawn Andrews and his agent have told the team that Andrews will not be present for the start of the team's training camp for "personal reasons."

Early reports indicated that Andrews was seeking an adjustment to his current contract, which runs through 2015, but neither Andrews nor the team has talked about the situation publicly. Andrews' agent, Rich Moran, told the Philadelphia Daily News that it is "100 percent wrong" to suggest that the absence is related to Andrews' contract, and that Andrews has talked to head coach Andy Reid today.

Obivously we'd rather Andrews be in camp that not, but it's nice to hear his absence has nothing to do with his contract.

Les Bowen gave PFT a little shot after doing some actual reporting on the story.

Your Eagletarian immediately called Andrews' agent, Rich Moran (which is the sort of thing we old-media types still like to do, rather than just throwing rumors up on the internet to raise sand). Moran said Andrews will not be at Lehigh tonight, but it is "100 percent wrong" to say his absence has anything to do with his contract. Moran said Andrews is dealing with a personal matter. He would not elaborate, other than to say it isn't the kind of personal matter where you check into rehab, or anything.

"Shawn has been in contact with Andy Reid a couple of times today," Moran said.

You may remember last year when Andrews had some training camp dramatics...

Harold Carmichael continues to impress

JasonB — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:11:15 -0000

Two days into training camp and the Eagles official practice blog can't stop talking about camp phenom Harold Carmichael.

And I know we've covered him about as much -- if not more -- than some of the players, but man, Harold Carmichael simply does not drop a pass. This notion struck up a small round of conversation with a few of us on the sidelines. It makes you wonder how anyone stopped this guy when he was in his prime. A big, sure-handed target.

At this point, Carmichael is starting to run away with the 2008 Na Brown award.

The Linc 7.24.08 Salute our returning veterans

JasonB — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:25:51 -0000

The Eagles slogan for this year is "Green is being an Eagles fan." May I remind you, it ain't easy being green? (Hugging Harold Reynolds)

A Notre Dame site scored a one on one with Trevor Laws and he talked about how he hoped to win over the Philly faithful (UHND)

I was thinking about ordering that new Eagles cheerleader calender, now I'm not so sure... (Iggles Blog)

Happy birthday to Poor Sports! I actally forget when BGN was born.... sometime around the 05 draft I think. (Poor Sports)

Donovan McNabb discussed the opening of training camp on NFL Network. (Inside the Iggles)

Sadly, some members of the NFL blogosphere have discovered that if post nonsense about the Eagles, lots of Eagles fans will visit your site. (Bounty Bowl)

Also, the Eagles never called the Packers about Brett Favre. (Santa Deserved It)

In retrospect was the Asante Samuel signing worth it? I think so. (Bleed Eagles Green)

Veterans report to camp tonight and everyone is a bit on edge wondering if Westbrook will show. But if he didn't would a holdout really help him? (Eaglesville)

APS was at Eagles camp and wrote up his impressions of the rookies (All Philadelphia Sports)

The Cincinnatti Bengals look they've really been enjoying their offseason. Hint, it involves lots of bikini girls. (With Leather)

This picture sums up how I feel after seeing Batman Tuesday night. Hint, it was amazing. (Film Drunk)

Even though I have literally no idea how or why she's famous, Audrina Patridge is edging close to Megan Fox as the latest BGN obsession. (WWTDD)

Eagles Notes: Donovan McNabb speaks, Brian Westbrook's true demands revealed?

JasonB — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:15:05 -0000

Donovan McNabb held his first press conference of training camp and nearly every member of the local media wrote about it... #5 was his typical optimitic self

"A lot of people have picked us to win the NFC and rightfully so," McNabb said. "It's not that hard to see the type of team we have. You don't win NFC East

championships, or you don't win the NFC, period, on paper. You put it out on the field. And our team hasn't changed that much where we can't win the NFC again. We've beaten our teams in the NFC; now we just have to do it twice for each team."

It's always good to hear a confident McNabb, but John Smallwood reminds us just how long it's been since Donovan has actually played a playoff game.

Should the Eagles qualify for the playoffs this season, and McNabb is healthy enough, the game that will be played in January 2009 will mark almost 4 calendar years since his last postseason appearance.

McNabb was asked about the Westbrook station and decided to take the Sgt Schultz tact...

"I didn't hear about the whole situation until pretty much the day before I got here," McNabb said. "That part is none of my business."

Speaking of Westbrook, Pro Football Talk says they have a source with knowledge of the Westbrook contract situation and ha some disturbing news about what his demands might be...

Per a league source, Brian Westbrook is looking for a new deal that pays him $30 million over the first three years.

We’re told that Westbrook picked his new agent, Todd France, based on the fact that France was the only one who would guarantee that he could get Westbrook a certain level of compensation.

Per a league source, multiple other agents withdrew from the running once it became clear that Westbrook was treating the process like a hand of high-stakes Texas Hold ‘Em.

No team, the Eagles or otherwise are giving Westbrook that kind of money... I hope this is just a negotiation, because if he's firm on that demand this could go bad fast. That said, the feeling around most of the local media is that the Eagles are very motivated to get a deal done with Westbrook. With his new agent, who also represents Omar Gaither, also motivated hopefully something will be worked out by opening day. Either way it seems very unlikely that Westbrook will not report to camp.

A tribute to Reno Mahe. Lehigh won't be the same without ya!

JasonB — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:38:53 -0000

A tribute to Reno Mahe. Lehigh won't be the same without ya!

Westbrook looks to France for more money

JasonB — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:27:38 -0000

Todd France to be exact. PFT is reporting that Westbrook has hired the NFL super agent as his new representation.

France’s goal will be to help Westbrook get a new contract with the Eagles. France won’t get paid a dime until the new deal is done.

You may not know France's name but I'm sure you know his handywork. France negotiated the 8 year, $80 million deal that made 49ers CB Nate Clements the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.

Harold Carmichael emerges as early Na Brown award favorite

JasonB — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:02:06 -0000

Now that camp is officially underway our eyes and ears must be open for potential Na Brown Award candidates. The Na Brown award is given to the surprise player that wasn't a top pic but wows everyone at camp. Recent winners include current Eagles Brent Celek & Hank Baskett.

Usually the best place to start looking for candidates is in the words of Eagles web guy Dave Spadaro(and his team). Dave post regular stories on camp, maintains a blow by blow blog, and does daily video & audio reports from camp.

In perusing the blog from today's practice... one name jumped out a few times. Eagle great Harold Carmichael!

9:08 AM - There's a big target on the field catching passes from the quarterbacks. Looks like he's been doing it for years. Well, actually, he has. Harold Carmichael is running routes as the QBs warm up, and he's drawn the attention of just about everyone in attendance. He makes a great shoestring catch on the sidelines from Kevin Kolb, and asks the media jokingly, "Did I get it?"

9:49 AM - The star of the first practice, director of player personnel Harold Carmichael, is absolutely all over the place today. He's now instructing running backs Ryan Moats and Jed Collins, both of who have been running flat routes all day.

Given the fact that Carmichael retired from the NFL over 20 years ago, he certainly qualifies as a surprise which is the first requirement of all Na Brown award nominees.... and I think his performance on the field today more than fills the other requirements for the award.

So here's to you Mr Carmichael! The leader in the clubhouse for the 2008 Na Brown award!

Andy Reid opens up Lehigh 2008

JasonB — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:23:32 -0000

via philadelphiaeagles.com

Andy Reid donned one of his many Hawaiian shirts and kicked off his 10th year in charge of the Eagles with a press conference up in Lehigh. He certainly seemed in good spirits and gave the kind of press conference we've basically all come to expect from Andy. He did address some of the burning questions facing the team and sounded pretty confident answering all.

On how concerned he is about RB Brian Westbrook not being happy with his contract: "We've always done a good job with those things, so I'm not worried about that. We've always been very fair and understanding to the players that we've approached about contracts. Other than that, I'm not going to get into that. It's not our policy to get into these things, so I'll leave it at that."

On whether he expects Westbrook to be in camp: "I'm sure he would be. Brian is obviously one of the leaders of the football team, so I would expect that he would be here."

And Lito

On whether he has talked to CB Lito Sheppard: "No, I haven't talked to Lito, but he will be here. I will meet with Lito once he is here."

On whether he thinks Drew Rosenhaus being Sheppard's agent will have any effect on anything: "No, I don't think so. Lito seems to be in a good place right now, Drew seems to be in a good place about the situation, so I think Lito will come in here and have a great year."

On whether he thinks there are any unresolved issues with Sheppard: "I don't know if there are or not, but I am going to make sure there's nothing there."

The 30 plus club

He also talked about what he called the "30 plus club" where he plans to give some of his older players a little extra rest this year.

"With the 30-plus club, they're going to work two days and then they'll have the morning practice off on the third day," Reid said tonight after rookies and a handful of veterans reported to training camp at Lehigh University. "We'll do that throughout camp."

It's a plan that will affect veterans such as safety Brian Dawkins, 34, and tackles Jon Runyan, 34, and Tra Thomas, 33. Defensive tackles Kimo von Oelhoffen, 37, and Montae Reagor, 30, also qualify. Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, 31, and A.J. Feeley, 31, also qualify for the 30-plus club, but Reid said he'd have to come up with a plan for that position because Kevin Kolb is the only other quarterback in camp.

He also said that those rules will be bent a bit for over 30 guys like McNabb, Feeley, Akers, and Rocca. They won't see the same kind of rest that say a Jon Runyan will.

(Throat clear) Injuries (cough)

As for injuries, rookies Bryan Smith and Trevor Laws will not participate in the next couple of days. Laws hurt his foot working out at home and Smith's hamstring tightened while working with the team. Both are expected to miss a couple of days but should be ready by the time veterans report later this week. Cornerback Jack Ikegwonu is up at camp but will only be rehabbing. Desean Jackson, who sat out some of the later minicamps with a hamstring injury says he is back to "100 percent."

McNabb is a "selected veteran"

I'm not sure how much working he'll actually do this week, but McNabb was present for the start of the rookies and selected veterans portion of camp. Some other veterans present were Rocky Boiman, Brent Celek, Ryan Moats, Stefan Rodgers, & Michael Gasperson. For the last two I think we use the term veterans loosely...

Trevor Laws signs, all rookies now under contract

JasonB — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:43:34 -0000

From the official site

At the conclusion of Andy Reid's press conference to officially open training camp, the Eagles announced that defensive tackle Trevor Laws signed a four-year deal. However, he will likely miss the Rookie and Selected Veteran portion of training camp with a foot injury that was incurred while preparing for camp.

So Laws signs in time for camp but will miss part of it anyway... At least he'll be there to learn.