The big boys are coming to town and ready to go. The Eagles veterans are arriving at Lehigh University this afternoon in preparation for this year's training camp.
This is the 12th year in a row the Birds have held their training camp at Lehigh University and this is the shortest camp that they've ever had here. The practices will get serious on Wednesday morning. It will be the first look at the new Brodrick Bunkley. We'll see what Chris Gocong has to offer. If you go out there concentrate on the run offense drills which are called 9 on 7. This is the drill which tests the defensive front seven agaisnt the offensive run game.
The Birds have spent months putting in their offensive and defensive systems, now they've got to find out who will hit. This used to be the biggest emphasis of training camp now they can't do it as much because they can't afford to get players hurt with the salary cap. Things have changed in the NFL since I was putting on the gear. Teams get a lot of their work done during the off season and training camp isn't nearly as important. Andy Reid and current day coaches stay away from all out drills which include tackling. I wish that was the case when I was playing for that crazy Buddy Ryan. Andy Reid told the players, "I told the players before they left to make sure they come back ready to go. It's going to be a tough two week up here. They understand that and that's what they want and it will pay off for them once the season starts."
To emphasize the changes that have been made in the game, RB Brian Westbrook and FS Brian Dawkins each showed up at camp with own personal hyperbaric oxygen chambers. Terrell Owens had a major influence on this football team. They're only going to be there two weeks. I don't have any problem with the guys bringing their chambers to camp. If it will help them recover from the workouts then I'm all for it. When asked if he'd be willing to share it with teammate, Westbrook smiled and replied, "I have no problem; they've just got to be on the offensive side of the ball."
