The Birds practiced only once on Saturday and it was in front of a crowd of 12,223, and a number of former Birds. Andy Reid then gave the boys the night off.
Ironman to be out of town…
T Jon Runyan has started in 160 consecutive regular season games, but he will not be around for this weekend's training camp practices. Runyan has been excused so that he could attend the Hall of Fame Induction of his former teammate Bruce Matthews in Canton, OH. The two were teammates in Houston and Tennessee from 1996, Runyan's first year in the league, until 2000 when he signed with the Eagles. Matthews is one of Runyan's three all-time favorite offensive linemen. "Matthews was one of the all-time best and a great teammate."
A spike in the rule changes…
During today’s officiating media seminar, field judge Tom Sifferman was on hand for a question-and-answer session, following a brief video highlighting the rule changes and points of emphasis for the upcoming football season. Among the most notable changes, no longer will players be allowed to spike or throw the football in the field of play after a down has ended – except after a touchdown – without being called for a delay of game resulting in a five-yard penalty. The reasoning behind the change is to improve sportsmanship, and to decrease the amount of time wasted it takes in retrieving the ball.
Points of emphasis for the upcoming season include enforcing illegal contact, defensive holding, taunting, roughing the passer, and unnecessary roughness. In a further attempt to maintain safety, officials will actively stress that players fasten their chin strap before the start of each play, although no penalty will be given for those who don’t comply.
Eagles reunite…
The following Eagles alumni were on hand for today’s Alumni Day: DB John Booty, DE Greg Brown, LB Al Chesley, LB Garry Cobb, P Dan DiRenzo, FB Major Everett, WR Bill Hess, RB Po James, E Jim Kelly, B Bill Mackrides, DE Mike Mamula, B Joe Pagliei, WR Mike Quick, WR/PR Vai Sikahema, and B Larry Watkins.
You can never have enough practice…
While at today’s officiating media seminar, field judge Tom Sifferman was excited about the start of the 2007 NFL season. He, along with umpire Chad Brown, back judge Scott Helverson, and line judge Tom Symonette, have been at Eagles training camp since Thursday, not only giving the team a sampling of the rule changes, but also working off any rust from their own personal offseasons, as well. “This is a good chance for us to work on our mechanics,” said Sifferman. “This has been a tremendous camp, and we’re also ready to get together.”
Officiating crews will have their first chance to experience live-game action this Sunday, August 5th, as the New Orleans Saints play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the annual Hall of Fame game.
Play of the day…
Rookie free agent DT Jeremy Clark picked up a fumble on a goal-line stand by the defense and returned it 95-yards for a touchdown. “What was going through my mind was, at least make it to the endzone,” said Clark. “I didn’t get tired until I got to the sideline, [when] I was like, ‘That’s a long way!’”
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