Reid Talks, Patt Sits

Training Camp did not get off to a smooth start.  Mike Patterson is out for the time being as his recovery from brain surgery is a bit behind schedule.  Patt had the procedure done in January.  The normal recovery time is 6 months, which would be now.  Unfortunately, Mike does not have a normal profession and that’s the problem.

Doctors removed part of Patt’s skull so they could operate on his brain.  They re-attached the piece and it has recovered fine for a normal person.  Mike has no issues with everyday life.  The concern is that the injury isn’t ready for football, especially DT.  That’s a spot where Patt has helmet-to-helmet collisions on basically every snap.

Trainer Rick Burkholder would not give a definitive timetable.  He mentioned Mike being out a month and possibly months.  There is no good precedent for this that I’m aware of.  Not many DTs have to wait as pieces of their skull heal.  Burkholder made it sound like he expected Patt to play this year.  This is all up to the doctors.  The minute they feel the skull has properly healed, Mike’s ready to go.  We just don’t know if that will be August, September, or down the line.  This won’t affect him as a player.  There is no issue with a knee, ankle, or shoulder needing to get used to contact or cutting.  Mike simply needs medical clearance to play.  He is up at Lehigh and will work out with Barry Rubin and some other injured players.

I hate to lose Patt, but DT is arguably the deepest position on the roster.  Antonio Dixon will likely jump into the starting role.  Derek Landri will push him for the job, but Derek is best suited to being a backup.  That allows him to come in the game and play like a madman.  The starter will see more snaps.

I don’t want to spend a lot of time on Dixon and Landri right now.  That deserves a post of its own.

What about Fletcher Cox?  He’s a natural Under Tackle.  Patt played NT.  Cox wasn’t ideal in college at dealing with double teams.  I don’t think putting him there as a rookie would be the smart move.  Let him get stronger, learn the scheme, and stick with a role that ideally suits him for now.  As he gets used to the NFL, you can give him some snaps at NT to try it out.  Dixon and Landri are naturals at the spot so there’s no real reason to use Fletch there.

Cedric Thornton is more of a natural UT himself.  He played some DE in college and likes to rush the passer.  He is big at 6-4 and about 310 pounds.  I’m sure Jim Washburn will give him a look at NT to see if Thornton can handle that.  The Eagles like him.  Thornton isn’t assured a roster spot so he should embrace any opportunity that comes his way.  He’s not likely to beat CuJo or Fletch for time at UT so why not take advantage of the opening at NT and see if you can win some playing time.

The Eagles trade for Ollie Ogbu (from the Colts) makes more sense now.  Ogbu could play NT for the Eagles.  He’s quick enough for UT, but is willing to do the dirty work and would be a willing NT.  Ogbu is small at 6-1, 295, but plays with very good leverage and he’s tough.  Washburn had a similar player on the Titans named Tony Brown.  Similar in build and skill set, but Brown became a good starter.  Ogbu has yet to prove he can play at the NFL level.

Ogbu was expendable since the Colts were moving from a 4-3.  He wasn’t an ideal fit in the new scheme.  I want to stress that Ogbu just isn’t some body off the street.  I think he’s got NFL potential.  He’s unproven, but playing in this system and for Washburn should bring out the best in him.  We’ll have to wait and see if that’s good enough.  At the least, he’ll be good for reps in camp and he could also challenge for a practice squad spot.

The big concern (football wise) is run defense.  Patt was the best interior run defender.  Dixon can claim that role now, but must prove himself.  He was good in 2010, but got off to a slow start in 2011 and then got hurt.  Patt didn’t pile up great numbers, but he was a key player.  The challenge is there for Dixon, Landri, Thornton, and Ogbu.

A few Eagles fans have asked about Albert Haynesworth.  I’ll pass for now.  Get me Marlon Favorite.  If not for gravity, he would be a Hall of Fame player…the first flying DT.

* * * * *

Andy Reid didn’t have that much to say that was of significant interest.  He announced that Colt Anderson will begin the year on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list.  Colt is very close to being ready to play.

Patt and Jason Peters are on the Non-Football Injury list.  Reid acknowledged that Peters is a real long shot for 2012, but said the team wouldn’t rule him out right now and would monitor his progress (like I’m doing with Katie Holmes’ divorce).

It sounds like the other injured players are all basically good to go.  There were a variety of guys who had small surgeries (easy to say when they’re not on you).  Seems those guys are all doing well enough.

Reid was asked about Vick and the dynasty comment.  Big Red said he was okay with that.  He mentioned that he knows the player (as opposed to VY and the dream team comment).  Reid isn’t too worried about any of this.  He likes the confidence, but is focused on one practice at a time.  He did say the goal is to win the Super Bowl.

Reid did stress once again that this will be a tough, physical camp.  I’ve written this plenty, but last year all 32 teams had soft camps because of the lockout.  Some do that anyway, not the Eagles.  This year it is back to business as usual and that means hitting.

Reid was asked about Brandon Boykin challenging Joselio “MmmBop” Hanson for the Nickel Corner spot.  Reid went out of his way to praise Hanson.  Reid expects Boykin to push for the job, but praised Hanson for having a strong offseason.

Someone asked about OJ Atogwe.  Reid responded that he will challenge for a starting role, but then added that he expects Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman to be the starters.  Reid’s attitude is for the young guys and backup players to come in and fight for jobs.  May the best man win.  Everybody has a chance to win a job.  The key phrase there is “win a job”.  That means you must go plays lights out and beat the competition.

I never heard anyone ask Big Red about the Asante comment.  That was odd to me.

SalPal was there and pushing the dynasty angle.  How very predictable.  The highlight came when someone asked Reid what he thought about the Eagles becoming a dynasty and Reid responded, “I’m glad you asked me that”, with less than a genuine tone in his voice.  Good laugh for everyone there.

* * * * *

Jimmy Bama and I have 2 podcasts recorded.  We’re working through the technical stuff right now.  I’ll let you guys know when they are ready for public consumption.

_