Philadelphia Eagles rookies and selected veterans took the practice field for the first time Monday as the Birds prepared to fly in 2009 and a former touchdown duo shared the field (well, kind of) once again while a future touchdown catcher remained absent.
Head Coach Andy Reid took it easy on the Birds on day one of camp. He held a "swift" 75-minute morning practice, according to NBC Philadelphia's sports team.
Donovan McNabb was getting most of the reps early on the first day, reported KYW 1060.
D-Mac made sure to have some fun also. He admittedly watched the new Terrell Owens reality show and T.O.'s former QB had some advice on improvements -- "by not having it," McNabb told reporters.
McNabb was getting some early work in to become familiar with new targets but an old target's presence was gaining some press.
Todd Pinkston returned to Lehigh this season to impart some knowledge on Eagles wideouts and maybe learn something himself, reported the Morning Call's Eagles Insider.
McNabb’s former receiver was back with the team as a coaching intern for wide receivers coach and long-time friend Dave Culley. Let’s just hope that while imparting some knowledge that Pinkston doesn’t teach anyone about alligator arms. (Thanks to Bleeding Green Nation for that video link.)
Pinkston wasn't alone carrying a clipboard as former Birds Doug "Red Hot" Pederson, Brandon Whiting and Mike Zordich were also helping out.
Head Coach Andy Reid sees the return of old players as a sign of something.
“I was talking to a couple of our coaches who have been around for a while," Reid said, "and I said that we're getting old when players start coming back and coaching for you. It means you're doing OK, to be coaching at one place a long time."
Of course one of the guys Pinkston would be helping out is Jeremy Maclin -- the problem was that the Eagles No. 1 pick was still unsigned and not at camp as of late Monday morning.
“Andy Reid might be a bit perturbed if Maclin's a few days late, but it's not anything to become too concerned about. Maclin's regarded as a quick learner, and that should allow him to catch up quickly. And even if he was there day one, I don't think Reid's in a rush to get him in the starting lineup.”
It sure won’t hurt if The 700 Level was right and Maclin gets into camp sooner rather than later.
And McNabb's back-up, Kevin Kolb, did get some time on the field -- but maybe he wished he didn't. The play of the day came when 2009 draft pick Victor "Macho" Harris picked off Kolb's first pass in a seven-on-seven drill, said the NBC Philadelphia sports team.
But, the big news of the day belonged to injured running back Brian Westbrook worked out alone under the supervision of Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder Monday afternoon. B-West wasn't wearing any protection on his surgically-repaired right ankle, according to Philly.com's Les Bowen on his Eagletarian blog.
Reporters wanting to get a word from No. 36 had no luck. A spokesperson told reporters that Westbrook won't talk officially until he begins practicing again, which won't happen until mid-August at the earliest, said Bowen.
And, check out NBC Philly's Training Camp Pocket Guide before you head up to Lehigh.
