Taking Stock of Eagles Training Camp: Aug. 10th
by Bob_Q on Aug 11, 2009 2:11 AM EDT
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More injuries begot more roster moves as Kevin Kolb and Trent Cole left practice today with ankle and shoulder sprains, respectively. Here is a brief rundown of who's stock is on the rise and who's stock is falling.
Stock on the Rise:
Sheldon Brown- Despite missing a few plays after landing heavily on his back, Sheldon put on an impressive performance, blanketing Shaheer McBride and Jeremy Maclin with his coverage and nearly nabbing an interception on multiple occasions. He also showed his physical dominance by forcing a fumble on Kevin Curtis and completely jamming Brandon Robinson at the line of scrimmage.
Dallas Reynolds- After a mostly quiet camp, center Dallas Reynolds stepped up in a big way during one-on-one drills. The rookie was able to neutralize an attacking Brodrick Bunkley on two separate occasions, showing great protection skills and drawing praise from offensive line coach Juan Castillo.
Moise Fokou- Our seventh-round pick had another outstanding practice today, showing off his tenacity on back-to-back plays during thud drills. He performed a brilliant blitz on A.J. Feeley and smashed Eldra Buckley hard enough to force a fumble, which Fokou then recovered.
Matt Nagy- The 31-year-old former AFL quarterback had new life breathed into his career today after Kevin Kolb went down with an ankle injury. Nagy was promoted from his coaching intern position on the Eagles staff to one of the three QBs that will perform during preseason. While it is highly unlikely that Nagy will serve as more than just a "camp arm," he nevertheless has a chance to battle the struggling A.J. Feeley for a roster spot.
Stock Falling:
Kevin Kolb- Thankfully, the results of Kolb's MRI weren't as serious as many had feared. However, the young quarterback's MCL sprain will keep him on the sidelines for at least the first preseason game, if not more. This could seriously hurt his rhythm, especially since he has been struggling a bit during training camp.
Winston Justice- Justice offered a less-than-impressive performance today against Chris Gocong in one-on-one drills. But the more discouraging fact (for Justice, anyway) is that the Eagles are reportedly moving Stacy Andrews back to right tackle, ousting Justice from his starting position. This will leave room for talanted guards such as Max Jean-Gilles or Nick Cole to fill the empty guard spot, making for a much more intimidating line.
Brandon Robinson- The young receiver was cut today to make room on the roster for Matt Nagy. Robinson entered the team at an extremely deep position, and was unable to impress the coaches enough to outlast the likes of Danny Amendola, Shaheer McBride, and Brandon Gibson.
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nice
post… I agree with moving stacy out there, putting in max or cole and having him out there makes our line a 100x better.
by wild_eagle on Aug 11, 2009 7:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Runyon
will be cleared to participate fully in 2 weeks (I heard him say it in an interview this morning on 610WIP). He would be able to step right in at RT and let Stacy remain at RG. In the meantime, however, I agree with moving Stacy out to RT and letting a player with starting experience (Max or Cole) to step in at RG. There is no harm in Stacy knowing both positions and that can be nothing but helpful in the future. I have a feeling that Runyon will be back with the Birds soon, though, and that most of the positive feedback on Justice (at least over the last few weeks) may be a last ditch effort to actually get something for him in the way of a trade (which honestly I don’t think will happen anyway).
It’s definitely encouraging to hear that Sheldon is playing well and we should have a nice lineup at the CB position with a few true playmakers and some depth. Glad to hear that the off-field contract issues haven’t had too much of an effect on how he is playing. I just hope they don’t “Lito Shepperd” him and drop him so far down the depth chart that you start to forget what number he wears (Sheldon is a better player so I don’t see this happening, but it’s possible. Fokou has been playing well according to reports and I am anxious to see him in the preseason games. I am feeling that he may have a preseason similar to Joy Mays’ last year when he was all over the field making plays. And from there, hopefully he can play well on special teams when the real games start.
I am even hyped for the preseason, but Gametime on Sept. 13th can’t come soon enough…
by Scotty Laf on Aug 11, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, Stacey to RT with Cole or MJG is a lot better than Justice at RT. I saw some footage of Peters on that line too, he looked MASSIVE and STRONG. So if the only real change we have from first though on the line is Cole or MJG at RG instead of Shawn, I am comfortable with that! They both did better than poor last year.
Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant
by EagleGreeninMD on Aug 11, 2009 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Nick Cole was great for us last year.
by andyreidswaistline on Aug 11, 2009 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was funny the first game he went in for us, some commentator said, may have been Merril, that he was a “Fire Hydrant in there” and the next day everyone was calling him a fire hydrant like they made it up. Sooo funny.
Either way, Cole doesn’t get the best push for run blocking, but he also doesn’t get moved backwards at all in pass blocking, so yes, I’d take him.
Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant
by EagleGreeninMD on Aug 11, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's insane
Runyan won’t be running for another two weeks and you expect him to be in game-shape three weeks after that? A 330lb man who hasn’t done any cardiovascular exercise in six months? With no practice time at all? He might not even be cleared for contact by Sept. 13, let alone allowed to play. If Runyan comes back, he’ll be a midseason injury replacement in the event both of the Andrews go down and they need a backup for Justice. If we see Runyan this season, we might as well start fantasizing about who we want with that top 10 pick they’re going to have.
by Tracer Bullet on Aug 11, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'll be cleared for hitting
and participating fully in 2 weeks. He is already running/lifting now so I don’t think it’s out of the question that he’d be completely ready to go in a month’s time. As a veteran who knows the system well, he would need little to no practice to be able to come in a do his job. Running now and then fully participating in 2 weeks would give him time to get into shape and then another 2 weeks to practice with his new linemates before the regular season starts. It all depends on what happens with the Shawn Andrews situation and if he comes back and is ready to go, then the Runyon issue is a moot point. But if Shawn Andrews doesn’t come back very soon, I feel that Big John is some nice insurance to have and is a much better option than Justice.
by Scotty Laf on Aug 11, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re right, he was cleared to run today. I still say it’s wildly optimistic to think a man his size, and at 35-years-old, can get into game-shape within a month. Is he lifting for real or still doing rehab? Is he cleared to move laterally? Can he get into a three-point stance? Can he push off that leg with any power? Westbrook is younger, smaller, had a less invasive procedure, has been running and cutting for two weeks and they still haven’t let him practice yet. Even assuming there are no setbacks, there is no way Runyan is hitting in two weeks.
by Tracer Bullet on Aug 11, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But with 35 year old Runyan, at least we know he is a lock to step in and return his old form regardless of the fact he’s a year older and coming off surgery.
Oh, wait…
by FredEx on Aug 11, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fokou...
Now that Ingram is gone, he could be the new Na Brown award front-runner. I’ve read a ton about him having a great camp. I’m pulling for him to make the roster so that after any tackle he makes, I can say “Fokou ME?!? FOKOU YOU!!!”
Bye, Big Stew and JJ :(
by Bye, Dawk :( on Aug 11, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
besides sheldon forcing a fumble
how is a vet like brown suppose to get props for blanketing rookie wr and “nearly” nabbing an interception, we all know the saying “close only counts in horeshoes and hand grenades” and i consider nearly the same as close. no props for sheldon.
"Never give in, never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
by ando1213 on Aug 11, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Being able to yell “Fok-U!” and get away with it cleanly? Worth the roster spot.
by UnclaimedFright on Aug 11, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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