The atmosphere surrounding camp on Saturday morning was the closest to a gameday experience yet with thousands of Eagles fans lathered up to see the team practice. Michael Vick ran out onto the field at 8 AM to a roaring ovation from the fans.
QUICK NOTE REGARDING AFTERNOON WORKOUT
The afternoon walk thru has been moved indoors due to inclement weather and it will be closed to fans. Sunday morning's practice at Lehigh University kicks off at 8:05 AM and it will be open to fans.
A SLIMMER TAPP
There's something about the number 55 that makes defensive end Darryl Tapp look more athletic.
"I think I am (more athletic)," said Tapp, who is now wearing the same number he's donned since high school.
In the final team drill of the morning practice, Tapp tipped a Mike Kafka pass into the air, intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown. In fact, Tapp had to elude another Virginia Tech alum in Michael Vick who raced in from the sideline to chase him.
"I saw the ball coming out hot because of the blitz. I got my hand on it, saw the ball, made a play on it and took off," Tapp said. "I had to get away from (Vick). That guy is pretty fast."
AVANT'S AMAZING MORNING
Veteran wide receiver Jason Avant made the highlight reel with some amazing touchdown grabs in the morning session. After just missing out on a ridiculous one-handed grab during the one-on-one drills against the cornerbacks, one in which Avant bobbled numerous times before losing, Avant secured a one-handed touchdown grab in the special category, red zone drill with Nnamdi Asomugha in coverage. Later in practice during a team drill, Vick thread a perfect pass through traffic to Avant for another touchdown.
OFFENSIVE LINE LOOK
The three positions that have been set in practice regarding the first-team offensive line are left tackle Jason Peters, left guard Todd Herremans and right guard Danny Watkins. Jamaal Jackson and Jason Kelce have shared snaps with the first-team offense in certain drills, but Jackson receives a majority of the snaps in 11-on-11 drills. At right tackle, Ryan Harris took the first-team reps after Tupou was in there on Friday.
The second team offensive line featured Austin Howard at left tackle, Evan Mathis at left guard, Kelce and Mike McGlynn at center, Julian Vandervelde at right guard and Tupou at right tackle. Mathis also saw some action at left tackle in offensive line/defensive line one-on-ones.
ASANTE'S BARK
Cornerback Asante Samuel entertained the crowd on Saturday as he always does during practice. During the one-on-one drills with the cornerbacks and wide receivers, Samuel was pulled out of the drill much to the disappointment of the crowd. Samuel and wide receivers coach David Culley began to engage in friendly trash talk as they always do. Finally after hearing enough talk, Samuel was sent back into the drill to take on Riley Cooper. Samuel struggled off the snap and had to resort to some jersey grabbing in order to contain Cooper.
During a team drill, Samuel channeled his inner Ed Hochuli and was pointing out illegal procedures by the offense. It looked like he wanted to run to the sideline and grab a ref jersey.
During the 7-on-7 team drill, Vick made a nice deep toss to Avant to beat Samuel and Samuel challenged Vick to do it again. Vick complied by using Johnnie Lee Higgins to best Samuel.
INJURY REPORT
Brandon Graham and Winston Justice each remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from respective knee injuries. Free safety Nate Allen (knee), cornerback Jorrick Calvin (shoulder), running back Dion Lewis (hamstring), defensive tackle Trevor Laws (hip), cornerback Brandon Hughes (hamstring), safety Marlin Jackson (groin), defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (knee), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (illness) and defensive tackle Antonio Dixon (knee) did not practice Saturday.
Defensive tackle Brandon Collier (ankle) and wide receiver Sinorice Moss (groin) left practice early due to injury.
FIGHT NIGHT
With the pads popping, it was only a matter of time before the fisticuffs broke out at Lehigh. And it happened on consecutive plays in the 9-on-7 drills.
First, it was defensive tackle Derek Landri and offensive lineman A.Q. Shipley who broke out in a brawl. It happened right as the tallest wide receiver in camp, DeAndre Brown, was about to face Samuel in the one-on-one drills. On the very next play, it was linebacker Moise Fokou against first-round pick Danny Watkins.
Surprisingly enough, there weren't any fights during the one-on-one drills between the offensive linemen and the defensive linemen.
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