The Eagles have been doing some major league hitting since they came to camp on Wednesday. I was surprised that they were letting Brian Westbrook carry the ball so much in the earlier practices.
I was happy to see that Westbrook wasn't out there getting banged up on Sunday morning. I guess Andy Reid and I are on the same page because he had BWest sit out the Sunday practices so he could rest his legs. I would ony have Westbrook practice to get his timing because I don't think he has anything to prove.
Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network and Fox News was amazed at all the hitting the Eagles were doing. He was there for the Sunday workout and hadn't seen the heavy banging the Birds had done starting on Thursday. Baldinger who has been to quite a few camps, said it's a joke as how much hitting is being done. Baldy says the Birds are the only team in the league doing a good deal of hitting. He says all the other teams are in shorts and not hitting. Teams have been scared away from hitting because of the salary cap and the huge bonuses which have been given out. I think the lack of hitting is going to cause poor tackling around the league. Hopefully the Birds will stay away from injuries but still get their practice in tackling.
I think this lack of hitting has made the NFL a poor tackling league, as compared to years in the past. Good tackling is essential to good defensive football and especially important in the open field. I think the key to tackling is wrapping up and not necessariy the hard collision. Just like dunking in basketball, hard collisions in football has become the rage, so youngsters abandon wrapping up a ball carrier and just go for the great collision. Many times a good back will bounce off a guy who doesn't wrap him up and run for more yardage.
