Here's something from the Chicago Sun Times - It's mostly injury updates but the most important is andy Reid saying Kevin Curtis did practice and maybe just maybe he will play a limited role in Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We should have beat Dallas without Curtis, Brown (don't really care about Brown)! lol *Can you imagine when we get Curtis back how great our offense will be! Jackson already opens up the field alone* I believe my Eagles can fly to Tampa! Click on the link eagle fans and if you are another NFL team lover and you are scared and want to know what the eagles are up to! LOL

Fellow Eagles yardbarkers you can count on me to talk trash and support our team in Dallas this monday night! I'm gonna make it green in Texas Stadium! I was waiting for my tickets and I just received them today! I will have the honor to see my EAGLES LIVE for the first time in my life ! I'M EXCITED, SHOCKED and I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! GO EAGLES!!!!

The Eagles starting units will see plenty of action Friday night in New England as Andy Reid is slated to play his starters into the 3rd quarter. One starter that will definitely not play is WR Reggie Brown, who will be sidelined with a hamstring strain. Rookie WR DeSean Jackson will take his place in the starting lineup (for now). Reggie Brown has not played all preseason and now has lost his starting WR spot to Desean!!!! If Desean has a good game again I have no problem with Coach Reid giving him a chance to make plays for our offense! Im tired of the Reggie Brown project!

Quintin Demps doesn't make this whole kickoff return thing too complicated.

"Catch it and run," Demps said. "Trust your blockers. Get it and go. Be decisive."

We'll get a chance to see Demps put that simplicity to work on Friday night.

Head coach Andy Reid said Demps, the Eagles' rookie defensive back from UTEP, will get a chance to return kickoffs with the first unit when they face the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Mass., in the third of four preseason games.

Lorenzo Booker, an offseason acquisition from the Dolphins, has been the primary returner in the first two preseason games but is averaging only--.2 yards on six attempts and muffed a kickoff against the Carolina Panthers Thursday night.

Demps has returned two kicks, one in each game, for a healthier 25.5 average, but he has yet to get a chance to work with the first return unit against the opposing team's first coverage unit.

"It's going to be a good opportunity for me," said Demps, a fourth-round pick. "Any time you're out there with the first team, you've got to pick your game up and do your best. I'm going to take the opportunity and just try to run with it."

Demps could also get a longer look as a punt returner. DeSean Jackson has had a lot of success on offense but is averaging only 6.1 yards on eight punt returns. He did have a 27-yarder Thursday night but fumbled. Demps has returned two punts, one for 12 yards and one for minus-2.

"He's pretty solid fielding the ball," special teams coach Rory Segrest said. "He's a guy that's got big-play potential back there."

Demps is also playing both corner and safety on defense, so that's a lot for a rookie to take in a€" the complete return game and every spot in the secondary.

It was his deflection of a Matt Moore pass in the final seconds of the Eagles' 24-13 win over the Panthers that set up Justin Roland's interception and 74-yard touchdown return.

"We are going to keep working him at corner and safety a€" it looks like he feels comfortable with it," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said.

"There are going to be situations in practice where we are going to let him compete, as far as being a one-on-one corner. He still has to learn the total defense as a safety, but he has looked good as a corner."

Demps just shrugs off the heavy workload. It's no big deal, he says.

"Punt return and kick return, that's something I've always done," he said.

"As far as safety and corner, it's just mental, learning the defense, but that's going well. ... The more reps you get, the easier it becomes."

Smith playing at 245 pounds

One of the reasons Bryan Smith wasn't drafted until the third round was because he played at just 217 pounds last year.

However, the rookie defensive end is now up to 245 pounds and was actually at 248 for the start of training camp.

"You have to be careful putting on that kind of weight because you can't just load up on greasy food, you have to make sure it's healthy and you're putting on muscle and not fat," Smith said.

"We didn't have very healthy food at McNeese [State], so I wasn't eating very healthy."

With Victor Abiamiri out indefinitely after wrist surgery and Chris Clemons struggling to pick up Johnson's defense and now suffering from a calf injury, Smith is getting more work than he would have had everybody been healthy.

"I'm 30 pounds bigger, but I still have as much speed as I had last year playing at 217," Smith said.

"I think eventually I'd like to get up to about 255 or even 260, but for now, 245 to 250 is just right for me."

This and that

After a day off Sunday for the annual Eagles Carnival, the team returns to practice this morning at the NovaCare Center. ... Jason Avant got his first NFL work as a holder, successfully holding on Richmond McGee's 40-yard field goal against Carolina.

PHILADELPHIA - For the first time in 13 years there's a chance Brian Dawkins won't make the biggest impact at safety for the Eagles.

With each practice, each game and each film review, Quintin Mikell more and more has the aura of heir apparent to Dawkins, the veteran many believe is destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Too small to be drafted, the 5-10, 206-pound Mikell has evolved into a fast and physical defender cut from a very familiar mold.

"Remember when I told y'all that he was a mirror image of me, but you wouldn't listen?" the 34-year-old Dawkins said. "I meant that in every way. All he needed was his confidence to be where it is right now. The guy is playing flat-out great ball and I see that continuing to grow."

The blows Mikell has delivered in the preseason are a notch above some of the shots he doled out in an expanded role when injuries shelved Dawkins and Sean Considine for chunks of last season. Mikell, listed at 5-10, 206, is wowing teammates on a weekly basis.

"He's really a guy that has to be feared out there," cornerback Joselio Hanson said. "We were watching film of the ( Carolina Panthers) game and everybody in the room was like, 'oooh, aaah,' play after play. Q is out there just throwing his body around and hitting people, him and Dawk. He goes out there and knocks heads around and that's all you can ask from a strong safety."

Mikell has driven the long and lonesome highway to the starting lineup. Boise State hardly was a football factory in 2003, and when Mikell joined the Eagles, the rookie sensation was Clinton Hart, who didn't play college football but wound up starting nine games.

Mikell played special teams almost exclusively in his first four seasons with the Birds. It buried him on the defensive depth chart, as the Eagles counted on Dawkins and some combination of Michael Lewis, who made the Pro Bowl, and Considine.

When the Eagles were hit with injuries at safety last year, Mikell made his push despite a sprained medial collateral ligament that knocked him out of two games. Starting 11 of-- games, he registered 98 tackles, including a sack. He also intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a loose ball.

"I think the games I started last year got me used to being out there ... I learned a lot, so now I'm at a level where I'm not thinking that much. (I'm) just going out there and playing," the 27-year-old Mikell said. "A lot of times when you're in a step-in role like I was last year, you're a little hesitant. You might see a play, but you're scared to make a mistake. You don't want to look bad. I kind of got through that phase. Now I'm at the phase where I know and I'm going to go after it no matter what. And nine times out of 10 my decision is going to be the right one. I have that comfort level now."

With Dawkins and Considine in the last years of their contracts, and fourth-round pick Quintin Demps showing promise, the Eagles are in a transition period at safety.

In fact, all the NFC East teams are a bit unsettled at safety.

The Dallas Cowboys invested in Ken Hamlin, who made the Pro Bowl with five interceptions, but aren't as comfortable with Roy Williams, an underachieving No. 1 pick.

The New York Giants lost Will Demps ( Houston Texans) to free agency and drafted Kenny Phillips in the first round to play next to veteran Sammy Knight (four interceptions).

The Washington Redskins have LaRon Landry, but are still trying to get past the death of Sean Taylor last season.

The only question for the Eagles is what kind of role, if any, Mikell will play on special teams.

Though that was the way Mikell made the Eagles, his usefulness on special teams likely minimized his contributions defensively.

"My gut sense is that special teams are coming along now and I think I need to focus on defense," Mikell said. "It's pretty hard to run down there on kickoff and then turning around and covering guys, it's pretty tough. And there's just a lot more studying that comes about when you're starting. I think special teams will be fine. But if in fact I'm needed out there I will be out there. We'll see what happens in the regular season."

PHILADELPHIA -- The way Brian Dawkins sees it, if the Eagles are to return to NFC East supremacy and beyond, they must return to Eagles football.

And to Dawkins, that means more than blocking or tackling or making big plays.

Dawkins, the Eagles' spirited and reliable safety, says if they return to their roots, they will gain those elements and much more. And the roots he speaks of run deep.

"We have to flat-out come out and play football with confidence and not worry about anything," Dawkins explained. "The one thing I have always believed about our team, about our way, is that we have to play for one another. I don't want to disappoint the fans. I don't want to disappoint the coaches. But who I really don't want to disappoint is my teammates. I play the game for the guys next to me. If you can look the guy next to you in the eye and know you have given all for him and you to succeed, well, that's Eagles football."

And that is the Eagles at their zenith.

That is the type of character that players such as Dawkins has shown and the type of leadership that coach Andy Reid has exhibited in Reid's 10-year reign in Philadelphia. Last season, the Eagles finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Injuries were a crippling factor. But the Eagles also missed that special spark. That unique unity and sense of purpose that is infectious and enduring.

"And I want that back," Dawkins said. "That kind of accountability. That kind of responsibility from each and every link."

The Eagles know that does not come easily.

But they showed signs of it in their 24-13 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field in a game they trailed 10-0 after three quarters. The passing game (33-yard strike from Kevin Kolb to Greg Lewis), the kicking game (40-yard field goal by rookie kicker Richmond McGee), the running game (51-yard scoring rumble by back Tony Hunt) and the defense (74-yard interception return by linebacker Justin Roland) exhibited the across-the-board effort and production that Dawkins seeks. It was a 24-point Eagles barrage in the game's final 6:41 that rocked the Panthers.

And reminded the Eagles who they are. And what they can do.

Accountability.

Eagles running back Lorenzo Booker, acquired this offseason via a trade with Miami, has it.

"We showed a lot of heart out there, but I dropped some balls on special teams and was not on in that area of the game like I should have been," Booker said. "Special teams are huge here. I'm not happy with my contribution on special teams in this game. And I've got to get it fixed before everyone around here fixes it for me. No excuses."

For Reid, that is sweet music.

"He's a smart kid and he gets it," Reid said when told of Booker's assessment. "Our team is built that way, where the guys take it upon themselves, first, to get in order."

It was offered from rookie cornerback Kyle Arrington from Hofstra.

"I did some things okay, but I had a pass interference on me that didn't make any sense," Arrington said. "I can do much better. You just fly around out there yet be disciplined in it and let your athleticism lead you. That's how I see Eagles football. Let it fly and give it up for your teammates."

Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, the former New England Patriot, made his home debut. He, too, was not satisfied.

"I got my hands on a couple of balls but I could have made more plays that made a difference," Samuel said. "This has been a good experience. I am with a team that cares about winning and each other. I feel appreciated here. They let me know they really want me here. They show it. I try to show how much it means to me to be here."

Reid liked the effort, but wants his team to play a cleaner brand of football. He is looking for more offensive explosion that results in more points. He wants quarterback Donovan McNabb to continue the focus and leadership he has strongly exhibited in camp. He is asking his special teams and defense to remain locked on excellence.

Thursday's game was delayed in the first quarter for 58 minutes due to lightning. Once it resumed, the Eagles struggled to keep pace with Carolina. But they eventually caught and surpassed the Panthers by relying on depth.

The Eagles reserves were dominant late in the game. The Eagles starters know they need more work.

"We had a couple of miscues that led us to not score points," McNabb said. "Being delayed takes a toll on you. I wish we could have come out with more points. We did a great job in certain instances. I felt pretty good flinging the ball around. Things like that happen and that's what the preseason is for."

It is also a time for the Eagles to return to their roots.

A time to get all of the Eagles involved in a way that is interlocking. That breeds pride and accountability.

"We had a lot of injuries last year, so, first off, we need to have all of our soldiers, so to speak," Dawkins said. "We have to get the young guys to understand more what Eagles football is. Doing it the Eagles way has led us to be able to win games big and win them close. It's brought us a lot of success in the past. It will in the future."

Yes! The O-line is complete again! Good to hear Shawn's situation is over and he is ok!

Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews participated in practice Saturday, his first practice since revealing he has been diagnosed with depression.

Andrews missed the second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in June and all of training camp with what was officially categorized as an unexcused absence. He returned to the team last week.

"We'll see how he does. We'll see how he does this week," Reid said. "We'll get a support crew around him. He worked out (Friday) with (offensive line coach) Juan (Castillo) and we'll see how he does today."

More from Andrews later, as he meets with the media after practice.

PITTSBURGH -- The details aren't yet known, but the substance is known: The Eagles and superstar running back Brian Westbrook have agreed to terms on a new deal and both sides are happy and, wow, what a nice piece of positive news heading into tonight's preseason opener! Team President Joe Banner will address the media later today and fill in the blanks, but the essence is this: The Eagles have done their part to reward a player who outperformed a contract and Westbrook and agent Todd France should be given credit for working with the team to come up with a solution. One of the most-scrutinized stories of the summer, Westbrook's contract issue has been a front-and-center issue with the media and the fans. Westbrook handled his part of the story with total class. He never once threatened to hold out. He never missed a practice. He never complained. Oh, Westbrook made it clear that he wanted a new deal and he went out and changed agents, but the star running back who amassed a franchise-record 2,104 yards from scrimmage last season went out and did his job and allowed the negotiations to be done behind the scenes. On Friday afternoon, just hours before the preseason opener against Pittsburgh, the negotiations ended and the deal was done. Officially done. Now, as I write this it is not know the length of the deal, the dollar amount of the deal or any of the particulars. A complicated series of negotiations led to a series of smiles on Friday afternoon. "As I've said many times, I believe Brian Westbrook is the best running back in football," said head coach Andy Reid. "He can do it all from that position, whether it's running, catching the football or blocking. He is a true professional and leader on and off the field and it's a great deal for both Brian and the Eagles organization. I'd like to give credit to Joe Banner, Todd France and Brian for working so diligently in getting this deal done. "We look forward to Brian having a great 2008 season and beyond."

Pro Bowl RG Shawn Andrews (depression) has been medically cleared to report to Eagles training camp.

Andrews will be at the Nova Care facility Friday and start practicing shortly. It remains to be seen what sort of shape he's in, but Andrews has just under a month to cut weight if needed. His return is good for Brian Westbrook.

*We are complete and should see this alot this year!* Nice to hear Andrews is fine and ready to play...

Its the dept chart! Plain and simple! Tell me what ya think and any surprises? Football is here and only a month until the real thing starts! I love this pic of Reid and I would call her Coach anyday! lol

Anyways here it is....

OFFENSE

WR 80 Kevin Curtis 84 Hank Baskett 19 Michael Gasperson 85 Jamal Jones

17 Shaheer McBride

LT 72 Tra Thomas 65 King Dunlap 61 Franklin Dunbar

LG 79 Todd Herremans 68 Mike McGlynn 63 Mike Gibson

C 67 Jamaal Jackson 59 Nick Cole 71 Scott Young

RG 73 x- Shawn Andrews 62 Max Jean-Gilles 77 Cameron Stephenson

RT 69 Jon Runyan 74 Winston Justice 64 Stefan Rodgers

TE 82 L.J. Smith 87 Brent Celek 89 Matt Schobel 88 Kris Wilson

WR 86 Reggie Brown 81 Jason Avant 83 Greg Lewis 10 DeSean Jackson

11 Bam Childress 16 Frantz Hardy

FB 34 Jason Davis 45 Luke Lawton 48 Jed Collins

RB 36 Brian Westbrook 28 Correll Buckhalter 25 Lorenzo Booker 29 Tony Hunt

23 Ryan Moats

QB 5 Donovan McNabb 4 Kevin Kolb-- A.J. Feeley

DEFENSE

LDE 75 Juqua Parker 78 Victor Abiamiri 91 Chris Clemons

LDT 98 Mike Patterson 93 Trevor Laws 66 Kimo von Oelhoffen

RDT 97 Brodrick Bunkley 68 Dan Klecko 94 Montae Reagor

RDE 58 Trent Cole 90 Darren Howard 63 Bryan Smith 95 Jerome McDougle

WILL 96 Omar Gaither 56 Akeem Jordan 54 Justin Roland

MLB 55 Stewart Bradley 51 Joe Mays 52 Pago Togafau

SAM 57 Chris Gocong 50 Rocky Boiman 53 Andy Studebaker

LCB 22 Asante Samuel 21 Joselio Hanson 42 Kyle Arrington

RCB 24 Sheldon Brown/26 Lito Sheppard 35 Nick Graham 31 Therrian Fontenot

SS 27 Quintin Mikell 37 Sean Considine 32 Marcus Paschal

FS 20 Brian Dawkins 30 J.R. Reed 39 Quintin Demps

SPECIAL TEAMS

P 6 Sav Rocca 3 Richmond McGee

K 2 David Akers 3 Richmond McGee

H 6 Sav Rocca 81 Jason Avant

PR 10 DeSean Jackson 39 Quintin Demps 30 J.R. Reed

KOR 25 Lorenzo Booker 39 Quintin Demps 30 J.R. Reed

LS 46 Jon Dorenbos 90 Darren Howard

Underline - rookies and first-year players [player] - injured x - reserve/did not report

Head coach Andy Reid updated second-year defensive end Victor Abiamiri's wrist injury Tuesday, saying Abiamiri had surgery this morning and an accurate timetable for his return will be determined when he gets out.

Abiamiri had been competing for a starting defensive end spot opposite Trent Cole, but the injury suffered on Sunday morning could prove to be a major setback. Reid said the worst-case scenario for Abiamiri would be a four-month recovery, but a best-case scenario could not be determined until later.

"Of course, things are going to be harder on Reggie," Baskett said. "He's the guy who has been the starter here for the longest. [Fans] put it on him to be the leader of the receivers.

"But I'll tell you this, personally from working out with Reggie this year compared to last offseason, he's taken it upon himself. Nothing was his fault, but Reggie has taken it on himself to make himself better. He's doubled his workouts. He doesn't want to settle for less than the best this season."

Baskett said that one thing people overlook when analyzing the Eagles receivers is that this year, they will have a full offseason routine of work with quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Because McNabb was recovering from a knee injury from the 2006 season, he missed all of the minicamps and was not up to full speed during training camp last year.

CLICK IT FOR THE WHOLE STORY!

I'm not big on predictions cause I let the season speak for its self but its nice to hear your team has a strong chance! Philadelphia Eagles - I live near the City of Brotherly Love, and all everyone wants to talk about are the Eagles. The fans ramble on how quarterback Donovan McNabb may get replaced with Kevin Kolb by midseason, that McNabb has a bad shoulder, that his career is in ruins. They also ramble about how this might be the final year for coach Andy Reid if the Eagles don't get things turned around. Well, from where I sit, the Eagles will be a playoff team this season and they will make a long run once they are in the playoffs. A few factors to consider: McNabb will be back and really healthy. Two years removed from tearing his knee ligament, McNabb will be stronger, allowing him to avoid some of the rush and keep his eye level down the field to make big throws. I really feel he is poised to have a huge year, with the Eagles offense built around his talents. I love that the Eagles are a "throw early team" and believe in the concept of winning the first-half point differential. Secondly, the Eagles used the offseason to improve their pass rush, something that was lacking last year. Adding DE Chris Clemons from the Raiders gives Eagles premier pass rusher Trent Cole some relief from the double teams he faced last season. With the added rush, the Eagles are hoping to improve on their paltry 19 takeaways in 2007, which was last in the league. Pressuring the passer means turnovers and I expect the Birds to be vastly improved in this area. The Eagles play the NFC West and add in Atlanta and Chicago to what is a very favorable schedule in 2008. I know they play in the NFC East and that is always tough, but the Birds know how to handle that division. With some soft games against teams like the Rams and 49ers, the Eagles will accumulate wins. Count the Birds in the playoffs.

PHILADELPHIA a€" Having just watched his first game as the Eagles' special teams coordinator melt down in nightmare fashion, Rory Segrest endured a media grilling in the bowels of Lambeau Field.

Two muffed punts had just cost Philadelphia its 2007 season opener against the Packers, and for the stand-up coach there was simply no hiding.

"We'll get better," Segrest added as a postscript to his public penance.

He turned out to be right, but only marginally, as the Eagles' return game retreated to the reliable but toothless embrace of Reno Mahe.

Fast forward seven months to April's NFL Draft, where with one pick Philadelphia went a long way toward keeping Segrest's promise.

The choice, in the second round, was DeSean Jackson out of the University of California. And though the 5-11, 178-pound wide receiver has talked a lot about absorbing the offense, make no mistake: He's here to give the Eagles' return game bite back.

"We have to score," Segrest said. "That's the key component that anytime you get that long 80-yard return, all of a sudden your averages jump up. We just didn't have that kind of return (in 2007).

"DeSean's definitely a guy who can give us that. He's got the pull-away speed, and once he gets out in the open he can go."

Starting Monday, and for the following several weeks, the Eagles will find out if Jackson is their long-sought answer at punt returner.

He and the rest of the rookies will report Monday to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., to start training camp -- which will take the team into the preseason schedule.

Having worked on fielding punts during minicamp in May, Jackson suffered a mild hamstring strain at the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities. But as the OTA's wrapped up more than a month ago, he promised he'd be ready for Lehigh, and the chance to show his game-breaking return skills.

"I feel like I did a great job with what I was able to do," Jackson said. "It was just unfortunate I had a slight hamstring injury. I'm just getting ready for training camp to come around and get things going."

Jackson was a first-team All-American as a senior, finishing his career with six punt returns for touchdowns. His career average of 16.7 yards per punt return set a Cal record and ranks second in Pac-10 history behind baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson of UCLA (18.8).

Dogged by a reputation as a me-first player who skated by on natural ability as opposed to hard work, Jackson learned a hard lesson on draft day, when his first-round hopes turned into a late-second-round reality.

That lesson was just beneath the surface seemingly every time he opened his mouth to speak during the team's minicamp and OTA's in May and June.

"I don't really have a vision (for his role)," Jackson said. "Whatever it takes to help this team, that's what I'm going to do. I'm happy to be here."

And a moment later, in response to a question about playing slot receiver: "I definitely played a lot (of slot) in college. But like I said, whatever it is they want me to do, I've got no choice, I'm gonna do it."

What the Eagles will want him to do, at least this season, is return punts.

Philadelphia hasn't had a truly dangerous punt returner since Brian Mitchell, and 2007 was as big a special teams fiasco as anyone could've imagined.

It never again got as bad as it did that September afternoon in Green Bay, but the Eagles' offense was constantly facing a long field.

The team averaged 8.1 yards per punt return.

"Our goal on punt returns is to gain 10 yards per return, minimum," Segrest said recently. "We're trying to create a first down for our offense every time we touch the ball."

The Eagles have confirmed that cornerback Lito Sheppard has hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent.

All indications are that Rosenhaus has told the Eagles in a meeting that Sheppard is expected to report to training camp when the veterans report on Thursday, July 24. Rookies and selected veterans report on Monday, July 21.

The Eagles responded to a report from ProFootballTalk.com, which stated that Rosenhaus was hired recently by Sheppard and met with the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Sheppard, who reported to the team's mandatory post-draft mini-camp and then did not participate in the voluntary Organized Team Activities in the spring, is part of the team's deep and talented secondary that includes starting-caliber cornerbacks in Asante Samuel, acquired as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, and Sheldon Brown, who has been a starter since 2004 and who has played in 105 consecutive regular season and post-season games.

Head coach Andy Reid will likely address the situation, as well as many others, in his kickoff press conference on Monday afternoon at Lehigh University. Make sure to watch it live on Training Camp Live!, which starts at 4:30 p.m.