The new guys
Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry took some heat for knocking down quarterback Mike Kafka during a scrimmage. Quarterbacks are not supposed to be hit.
Rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox took some reps with the first-team defense during the 9-on-7 drills.
Veteran quarterback Trent Edwards did not throw a single pass during the scrimmage or 7-on-7 drills.
Position analysis: Running back
Returning players: LeSean McCoy (starter), Dion Lewis, Stanley Havili (fullback)
Newcomers: Bryce Brown (draft pick), Chris Polk (free agent), Emil Igwenagu (free agent, fullback), Jeremy Stewart (free agent, fullback)
Outlook: McCoy has emerged as one of the league’s elite backs after rushing for 1,309 yards and scoring a NFL-best 20 touchdowns last season. The Eagles are hoping one of the backups can step up and help reduce McCoy’s workload this season. Lewis, who barely played as a rookie in 2011, has been among the early standouts of camp. Brown and Polk are fighting for the No. 3 spot. There is a chance the Eagles won’t carry a fullback this year.
If the season started today
Coach Andy Reid would have to be fitted for a new game-day wardrobe. He reported to training camp approxmately 60 pounds lighter than last season. He ended the first day of camp by walking approximately two mountainous miles to the coaches’ living quarters instead of riding back in an SUV.
Play of the day
Free-agent wide receiver Jamel Hamler made a nice, over-the-shoulder catch on a deep pass from Kafka against cornerback Curtis Marsh and linebacker Keenan Clayton during a scrimmage.
What they’re saying
Tackle Demetress Bell, on the Eagles’ training camp compared to Buffalo’s: “Well, it’s fast and it’s a lot of hitting. That’s expected during training camp, but not this much. It’s hard work.”
Bumps and bruises
The Eagles’ wide receiver corps suffered another serious injury Monday when Ron Johnson was carted off the field with a possible broken left ankle (see related story).
Defensive end Jason Babin (strained calf) finally underwent an MRI on Monday. He could not take the test earlier because he was among the players who had ingested an internal thermometer to test their core temperatures. He had to wait until the thermometer was no longer in his system, which happened Monday.
Wide receiver Riley Cooper (broken collarbone) underwent successful surgery Monday to have a plate inserted in his shoulder. He is expected to miss at least six weeks.
Today at camp
The Eagles will have their first day off of camp. There are no practices or autograph sessions scheduled. They will resume Wednesday with a walkthrough at 8:15 a.m. and a full practice at 2:45 p.m. Because Wednesday is Military Day, there will be no autograph session.
David Weinberg, 609-272-7186, DWeinberg@pressofac.com
