Training Camp Report: Fokou Stars at LB; Secondary Practices Well

• Today's practices were filled with military appeciation, for it was the team's annual Military Day at Camp. A morning ceremony and a tribute to our Armed Forces were included at Lehigh today, and there were quite a few troops in attendance.
• Almost every player was commenting on WR Jeremy Maclin's performance, providing him with tips and suggestions. However, no one talked with him more than CB Asante Samuel, who encouragingly provoked him while covering him on passing drills. Both Samuel and Maclin experienced success in their time spent matched up together, with the Pro-Bowl CB deflecting a few passes, but allowing a sideline grab for a great gain to the rookie wideout. Samuel was also explaining many things to fellow secondary member Jack Ikegwuonu.
• QB Donovan McNabb had 2 of his throws intercepted during practice, however, neither of them were entirely his fault. One of the passes was bobbled and flipped into the air by intended target WR Jason Avant (and picked off by FS Sean Jones), and the other went right into the hands of CB Jack Ikegwuonu because WR Kevin Curtis slipped while running a route.
• LB Moise Fokou, who appeared at the MLB position in practice, was all over the field, making tackles and nice stops left and right. On one play, it seemed that RB Eldra Buckley was going to take a handoff for a long run, but Fokou imediately popped through the linemen and stuffed Buckley for a devastating hit, which completely shattered the chance of the offense gaining yards.
• OG Mike Gibson and DT Willie Williams engaged in a brief shoving match after a play was blown dead. Williams was apparently unhappy with how Gibson handled the play, and gave him a push after the whistle was blown. In return, Gibson shoved him in the helmet, and although seemingly disruptive, the "fight" (if it can even be called that) ended very quickly.
• DE Josh Gaines took some reps at the DT position, and worked around the offensive line edges well, abling past for a few QB hurries. He is expected to compete for a final job as an end, but it was interesting to see how he'd perform in the middle of the d-line,
• Many of the overlooked linemen had excellent practices today. King Dunlap was able to fend off DEs Trent Cole and Darren Howard, and Dallas Reynolds did a great job preventing DT Brodrick Bunkley from reaching the QB. Fenuki Tupou and Mike McGlynn also converted on some decent plays.
• CB Dimitri Patterson has really stepped up his level of play lately. Over the past few practices, he's shown that he belongs on an NFL squad. Today he covered every receiver stride-by-stride, and made a couple pass deflections. Despite the hype surrounding fellow corner Jack Ikegwuonu, it seems that Patterson is on pace to earn the fifth CB spot (behind Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Joeslio Hanson and Ellis Hobbs).
• CB Trae Williams also had a good day of practice. The former Jaguar draft pick made some slid tackles and improved his coverage skills since the beginning of Camp. He's done a great job sticking around on the roster with so many other talented CBs.
• RB Brian Westbrook (pictured), still on the PUP list to recover from injuries involving his ankle, was out on the field for the second day in a row, sprinting and running through simple, yet necessary drills to get in shape in time for the regular season (and hopefully preseason).

As always, more updates and reports regarding the Eagles and Training Camp will be posted as soon as possible.

Picture source: Online image. http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/