It was nice breezy day at Lehigh and some cloud cover provided relief from what would have been the oppressive heat. A crowd of over 6,000 showed up on a Sunday to watch the second to last day of live hitting at camp. Later on, considerably less people stuck around for the special teams session...

Brian Westbrook returned from the viral illness that held him out of the previous days practice. He didn't take a ton of reps, but the previous reports from camp have said that Westbrook hasn't been taking a lot of reps period. When he caught his first pass the crowd a cheered and one guy yelled "Andy, give him his money!" drawing laughs from the stands and the sidelines.

After the jump catch my full report and observations

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Eagles trainer Rick Burkhalter talked about the scary situation that led to Chris Clemons being hospitalized. When new players come in, the training staff has to learn about his physiology and what his body can handle. Burkhalter isn't as familiar with the newly signed Clemons as he is with other players, but he knew something was wrong.

"You know when you look at a player, he doesn't look back at you and can't answer your questions, that it's not normal," he said. "Here's a guy that I know he's in trouble and he can't answer my questions, that's when you don't worry about blood pressure, you don't worry about any of that.

"At that point you say, "Let's go. We're going.' "

Scary situation indeed, but I'm very happy to hear Clemons is fine. I also think this kinda as fans going up to just watch practice, we really shouldn't complain about the heat...

In other injury news, Victor Abiamiri's season could be in jeopardy.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said after yesterday's morning session that the worst-case scenario for Abiamiri's recovery would be 4 months, which would be late November. A second-year player trying to earn a role in training camp probably isn't going to earn one in late November for the final month of the season. What would determine if this were the worst-case? If the surgery required screws, Reid said, that would be bad.

As it turns out, he did need screws. The Eagles are saying at the very least he'll miss all of training camp. For a second year player trying to learn and earn a role on the team, that could effectively mean the end of his season.

Abiamiri was expected to play a significant role this year, something Andy Reid lamented.

"It's not good. He was playing well," Reid said. "We're lucky we have numbers there, but he was definitely a guy that we were expecting to be in there from the get-go. He was competing for a starting job there."

Na Brown Award Update

Up until yesterday, it appeared retired Eagles WR Harold Carmichael's campaign for the 2008 Na Brown was set to go unchallenged... Enter Jamal Jones.

Based on yesterday's performance at the morning session of training camp, Jones may not need a Walter Mitty moment to survive cuts. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound speedster hauled in a number of passes - including two long-gainers - that impressed coach Andy Reid and perhaps the toughest critics - the fans.

I'll be keeping an eye on Jamal Jones from here on out...

Everything is ok with McNabb

Les Bowen made a great observation about McNabb's role in camp this year.

You almost tend to forget No. 5 is here, or at least, tend to forget that his future with the Eagles seems to be hanging on a big comeback season, and that the Birds' playoff hopes also are predicated on that premise.

There is no McNabb controversy this year, though. No sniping superstar wideout. No injury comeback. The whole Kevin Kolb-looking-over-McNabb's-shoulder angle is no longer fresh.

For once, McNabb can just run the offense - he looks really fit and pretty sharp, by the way - without having every throw and every gesture endlessly dissected. It must be nice.

He's absolutely right. The expectations for McNabb are as high as ever, but for once any drama or controversey surrounding camp has nothing to do with him. It should be excited to see McNabb enter a season fully healthy, not coming off rehab and free of distractions.

Speaking of McNabb, he seems remarkably unconcerned about Shawn Andrew's abscence.

Shawn will be back," McNabb said. "I'm sure of that. When he comes back, it will kind of be like he's been here. I haven't spoken to him personally. We have just kind of played phone tag. But he assured me that things will be fine and that he will be back."

McNabb said that when Andrews does come back he'll be welcomed "with open arms." Open arms?

Time to give Booker his due

I'm my zeal to find the 08 Na Brown award winner, which is given to the no name guy that makes the biggest impact at camp, I feel like I've ignored a guy that was expected to contribute this year and has arguably been the standout perform at Lehigh this year. Lorenzo Booker. Dave over at Eagle Scout is suggesting that Booker could be his training camp darling of the year.

The Eagles own website agreed.

Lorenzo Booker could be the "training camp darling" of 2008 up to this point. The second-year running back out of Florida State broke a 60-yard run off a reverse play during Monday morning's practice. (Eagles special teams coach) Rory Segrest said that Booker has made a similar impression in the return game.

In fact, Booker has made such an impression on Segrest that he's been named the starting kick returner. That could change depending on what happens in preseason, but for now Lorenzo Booker is slated to return the opening kickoff in 2008.

Lehigh Pilgrimage

Finally, as I said earlier this week I'm headed up to Lehigh with some friends this Sunday and I'll be staynig over into Monday. If anyone else is heading up I'd live to hang out or if anyone wants to stay over let me know!

Donovan McNabb held his first press conference of training camp and nearly every member of the local media wrote about it... #5 was his typical optimitic self

"A lot of people have picked us to win the NFC and rightfully so," McNabb said. "It's not that hard to see the type of team we have. You don't win NFC East

championships, or you don't win the NFC, period, on paper. You put it out on the field. And our team hasn't changed that much where we can't win the NFC again. We've beaten our teams in the NFC; now we just have to do it twice for each team."

It's always good to hear a confident McNabb, but John Smallwood reminds us just how long it's been since Donovan has actually played a playoff game.

Should the Eagles qualify for the playoffs this season, and McNabb is healthy enough, the game that will be played in January 2009 will mark almost 4 calendar years since his last postseason appearance.

McNabb was asked about the Westbrook station and decided to take the Sgt Schultz tact...

"I didn't hear about the whole situation until pretty much the day before I got here," McNabb said. "That part is none of my business."

Speaking of Westbrook, Pro Football Talk says they have a source with knowledge of the Westbrook contract situation and ha some disturbing news about what his demands might be...

Per a league source, Brian Westbrook is looking for a new deal that pays him $30 million over the first three years.

We’re told that Westbrook picked his new agent, Todd France, based on the fact that France was the only one who would guarantee that he could get Westbrook a certain level of compensation.

Per a league source, multiple other agents withdrew from the running once it became clear that Westbrook was treating the process like a hand of high-stakes Texas Hold ‘Em.

No team, the Eagles or otherwise are giving Westbrook that kind of money... I hope this is just a negotiation, because if he's firm on that demand this could go bad fast. That said, the feeling around most of the local media is that the Eagles are very motivated to get a deal done with Westbrook. With his new agent, who also represents Omar Gaither, also motivated hopefully something will be worked out by opening day. Either way it seems very unlikely that Westbrook will not report to camp.

Donovan McNabb checked in on his blog yesterday to fill us in on what he's up to Arizona this week.

Just wanted to check in from Arizona again. I've been out here this week working out with a few guys including Brian Dawkins, LJ Smith, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and Lorenzo Booker.

We have been getting after it from sunup to sundown. We start at Fischer Sports, a place I have been working out at most of the offseason. Brett Fischer – an Eagles fan from Bucks County - is a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist. He has helped me through what he calls functional training. We mimic the motions that we use on the football field. For me it might be an emphasis on using my abdominals, hips and lower body to create torque when I throw the ball. For some of the other guys it might be trying to get explosion out of their cuts.

If I remember correct, usually Reggie Brown would head out to Arizona to work with McNabb. I'm somewhat surprised he's not there this year... that said, I don't read much into it.

In his latest blog over on yardbarker Donovan McNabb gave his thoughts on all the goings on Philly sports these days(watch out Enrico!). He's made no secret of his intention to get into broadcasting when his playing days are over so it was pretty cool to hear insights on the Sixers signing of Elton Brand and the Soul heading to the Arena bowl title game. However, for Eagles fans he did finish up with something we should all be happy to hear...

Speaking of the Eagles, fans might be happy to know that I'm in Arizona working out with Brian Dawkins. Next week some other players will come out and we'll work together for a few days before training camp opens. I'm feeling great, the shoulder is fine, and I can't wait to get started this season.

This is basically what he told Sal Pal last week, but it's always nice to hear from 5 himself.

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio is reporting that he was told by McNabb himself that his shoulder is 100% healed from the tendinitis that held him out of some practices in the Eagles last minicamp.

The rehab apparently took much less time than first thought.

Per Paolantonio, the expected rehab of two-to-three weeks took only three days.  After a Mexican vacation with his family, McNabb is working out in Arizona with teammate Brian Dawkins.

Paolantonio added that McNabb is telling friends that his shoulder is 100 percent, and that he’s out to prove that he is healthy.

Finally we get some news and it's good!

Probably the easiest guess you'll make all offseason...

#7 Donovan McNabb, QB - Philadelphia Eagles

In a town whose fans would ask Santa Claus, 'What have you done for us lately?' the guy suiting up at quarterback never feels comfortable sitting down in Philly. With understudy Kevin Kolb learning more of the playbook every day, the pressure on McNabb will intensify. But he could keep Philly happy by handing the ball to Brian Westbrook and flipping it to rookie DeSean Jackson. Here's some good news: the offensive line returns intact. Here's some bad news: Eagles quarterbacks were sacked 49 times last season.

Blah blah, santa claus... blah blah...

That said, I would agree that McNabb is "on the hot seat."

A couple of days ago, Matt Mosley of Hashmarks busted out with several articles on the NFC East (Philly, Dallas, NYG, Skins).  They are all worth reading - know thy enemy know thyself - but we should bear in mind he wants to see controversy where there may not actually be any.

Consider his article on the Birds.  The first portion of the article is dedicated to McNabb's health in general and of McNabb's arm in particular.

This time, the problem had lingered for almost a month. In an offense built around McNabb's getting the ball downfield, a recurring shoulder problem sends up major red flags.

That's in direct conflict with Spadaro's assertion that DMac is probably fine:

From what I can ascertain, based on the talk toward the end of the June passing camp and from what I've seen, quarterback Donovan McNabb is finished with his rehab on his right shoulder and is in Arizona. From what I think, everyone concerned with McNabb's shoulder is confident that he is ready to go for training camp. I could be wrong, but that is my perspective.

Mosely also touches on the Eagles pursuit of Randy Moss and LJ's injury rehab (Russian Kettlebells?...).  He briefly explores Lito's contract situation and suggests we should have gotten a 3rd round pick for him while he "still had value".  Finally, Mosely asks if Reid can bounce back from the tough personal issues of last year:

The Eagles stuck with him through the tough period and he has more motivation than ever to reward them. He knows how important McNabb is to his team's success and he has gone out of his way to make his star quarterback comfortable. McNabb is a fierce competitor, but he's also a sensitive player who reads into every comment. That's why you don't hear a lot people on this coaching staff fawning over Kolb's progress even though he's actually taken some major strides.

In all, Mosely seems to like Philly's chances in the division this year.  His article spends a great deal of energy trying to find things that are wrong with the Birds, but finally ends on a positive note.  This team should be good - presuming it doesn't get bit by injuries again this year.

Donovan McNabb has grown increasingly annoyed with the mini media storm over his injured shoulder.

"I'm used to it," McNabb said yesterday. "I understand the position that I'm in. We had that early success and then things have gone the way they have the last four years and people are sitting back and saying, 'What's next?'

"I do think it gets blown way out of proportion. With the injury, if you don't say anything, then people think it's bigger than what it is and if you do say something, some people still think you're hiding something. It's a no-win situation and I've been part of them for a long time. I've heard people say, 'Donovan is fat,' I'm out of shape and I'm too big. I just don't get caught up in it."

"The shoulder is just tight," McNabb said. "We did the right thing by making sure we were cautious with it and continuing to stretch and rehab. Everything is fine now."

One team source suggested last week that if McNabb were a baseball player, he'd have spent 15 days on the disabled list and returned.

"I don't know if it would have been 15 days," McNabb said. "I think it would have been two or three days. If I had to play today, I could. For all the fake doctors and analysts, my body is fine.

Hopefully McNabb's comments will help quell some of the panic over what seems to be a very minor injury. That said, in this town are we ever not in a state of a panic over the Eagles?

Finally, Andy Reid was pretty short with his comments about disgruntled CB Lito Sheppard.

"I expect him at training camp,” Reid said, before admitting he hadn’t spoken to the cornerback, who has been a no show at the OTAs the past two weeks.

When asked if it would beneficial for him and Sheppard to talk before camp, Reid skirted around the question, saying, "Well, we’ll see how that works.”

In Andy speak that probably means "no."

First off, McNabb poked a little fun at the reporting of his shoulder tendinitis

" "Lakers and Celtics in the NBA Finals! Michael Strahan retires! Donovan McNabb has tendinitis in his arm!" " McNabb recalled with a laugh. "Those are the big stories of the day? The season hasn't even started yet, and I'm up there with the Lakers and Strahan. With muscle soreness? That's the big story of the day? Then they showed a chart of all my injuries the last three years. "Donovan's injured again.' It's nothing like that. It's just precautionary."

The Eagles had McNabb get an MRI of the shoulder and it came back clean. He should begin throwing again by the end of the month.

Speaking of Eagles with shoulder issues... Sean Considine had a second surgery this offseason after his previous surgery before last year was not successful. According to him, it prevented him from playing the way he wanted last year.

"One of the things I've noticed on film is that the last two years, I never tackled one time with my left shoulder,"

"My mindset was to get back as fast as I could," he said. "I was pushing through pain and it was just making it worse. After a year and a half, my shoulder was still hurting me, and I think what I did was loosen it back up from the original surgery and finally it popped out last year.

"But this time I just did everything they told me, I followed protocol, and here I am six months later and I feel 100 percent better than I ever felt after the first surgery."

Ok... we'll see if that was the problem.

And what would a discussion of injuries be without checking in on Jerome McDougle, who says he still can make an impact.

"Maybe they're a little bit down on me, but I feel like I'm right there," McDougle said yesterday. "Just like last year, I had a pretty good training camp, but I've just got to stay healthy. That's been the consummate theme of this movie, not staying healthy . . . I'm a warrior. They know that I have it in me." "I have complete faith in God, first of all, and complete faith in myself," McDougle said. "It's all about opportunities. They've continued to give me an opportunity in spite of all the situations I've been through. I have gone through a lot of things, things where people have said I would probably never play football again. I've proven them wrong."

Teammate Trent Cole may  have went a bit overboard in his praise of McDougle...

"McDougle's a great player," Cole said. "McDougle could go start for any other NFL team."

Yeah....