Overheard at Camp: Maclin's Absence, Birds Take Flight

The Philadelphia Eagles took practice to the artificial turf Sunday as heavy rains forced the team to close practice to the public but don't worry fans still got their chance Sunday to see the Birds take flight.

The big talk around camp was the continuing absence of No. 1 draft pick Jeremy Maclin. The wide receiver has missed nearly a dozen practices now and remained unsigned as of Sunday night.

It was unknown how close the two sides were to inking a deal as conflicting reports came out Sunday.

The 700 Level summed up what could be part of the problem with the Maclin negotiations. “Note to Reid et al: Maybe calling your bargain picks ‘top 10 talents’ isn't a great idea,” wrote The 700 Level.

Once Maclin does slip on the green and silver he could be asked to pick up some special team duties.

Special teams coordinator Ted Daisher was asked about Maclin getting into the return mix, said Philly.com’s Les Bowen.

“I thought he did a good job this spring in the OTAs. He’s making progress. He’s gotten better. That contract thing will work itself out and when it does he’ll be here," Daisher said. "We’ll just coach him up. The other guys are doing a good job.”

One of the other guys for the Eagles who returned to the practice field Sunday was offensive tackle Jason Peters who was back after suffering quad spasm at practice Thursday.

Another offensive lineman though wasn’t back on the field yet. Tackle Shawn Andrews sat out of practice again Sunday, according to Philly.com’s Bob Brookover.

But there was good news. “Andrews gave a thumbs up this morning when asked how he felt,” said Brookover.

The team also signed 305-pound defensive tackle Willie Williams Saturday, according to Philly.com’s Bird’s Eye View. The 6-foot-4 Louisville tackle spent last season on the Rams' practice squad and should add some depth on the Eagles d-line.

But the big news Sunday night was Eagles Flight Night. The first annual event allowed fans to pack into Lincoln Financial Field to see their favorite players live in action.

Flight Night was planned as a sort of sneak peek into the 2009 Eagles.

One of the most unique aspects of flight night is that Birds’ rookies will get the chance to play in front of the hometown fans in an NFL stadium just days into their NFL careers.

Eagles tight end Eugene Bright, a Main Line native, will be one of the guys to get that chance.

"I thought about it, but I won't truly understand until I actually get there," Bright told Delaware Online’s Geoff Mosher. "I know I'll be wowed by the moment.”

"It's my first time at The Linc. Even though being from the city, it's really my first time at an Eagles game."

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