After listening to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg Sunday, it's pretty obvious he thinks players disrupt rhythm, not substitutions and formations.

He has tried to relay that to Donovan McNabb, who in the preseason game last Thursday rather animatedly gestured for Mornhinweg to put away the package of Mike Vick wildcat plays and get back to basics - and into a rhythm.

Mornhinweg said he and McNabb "did have a quick conversation about that."

Apparently the result of the quickie was they will have to agree to disagree.

"We do our jobs," Mornhinweg said. "I understand, but that's secondary. You are not going to let one or two plays throw us out of the rhythm and that's at every position. You know, receivers like to get into a rhythm, too, and they're in and out. (Running backs) go in and out. We change personnel groups virtually every play."

And yes, the quarterback position is treated differently than the receivers or the backs although according to Mornhinweg, it shouldn't hurt for the few plays Vick gets.

"I understand the rhythm and al those types of things," Mornhinweg said. "It's not going to disrupt our rhythm. It won't."

It won't. So knock it off.

Todd Herremans underwent surgery Friday for a stress fracture on his left foot according to the Eagles.

The repairs were made by Dr. Steven Raikan of the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson Hospital.

Herremans is expected to miss at least two regular season games. One of just three established veterans on the offensive line, Herremans is the last guy the Eagles need hurt right now on a unit already a couple of quarts short. Lingering injuries to tackles Shawn Andrews and Jason Peters, and the slow rehab of guard Stacy Andrews have kept the guys from developing any chemistry and it's showed in the preseason.

Though Reid is hopeful Shawn Andrews (back) will get back to work, he doesn't seem to have big expectations.

The Jaguars are on the field.

Any second now Vick is coming out of the tunnel for the game. While it was only a simple jog on to the field for the pre-game warmup, Vick looked like the old Vick (I was there the last time he hit an NFL field, New Year's eve of 2006).

Seriously now those Vick jerseys Dick's decided against stocking are out in full force.

Wait a second, there he is. That's him, Mike Vick, jogging out with the rest of the team. He's in the middle of the procession. What's that, he's veered off. He's veered off before the end of the double-line of cheerleaders. Probably wanted to avoid the rest of the cameras.

By the way, running back Brian Westbrook was a healthy - and a very smart - scratch. Would you risk him behind that offensive line? Thank you.

More in a few minutes.

Mike Vick hit the field at 5:20 p.m. sending photographers and camera people massing at the tunnel scattering like cockroaches.

Grown men and women trying to get their Mike Vick on ... hilarious. Eagles media relations chief Derek Boyko played the role of usher - not the singer, the movie theater guard.



Vick warmed up playing a criss-cross game of long toss with Donovan McNabb, Jeremy Maclin and Hank Baskett.

Got to get a hot dog (pictured). More on Vick later.

Get ready for more Mike Vick court house news.

The Eagles' quarterback is scheduled to appear in bankruptcy court in Newport News, Va. the morning of the preseason game Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field, according to an ESPN report.

It won't affect his status for the game according to the Eagles.

Vick is supposed to fly in Wednesday evening for the 9:30 a.m. hearing which could last into the afternoon, then fly back to Philly for the game.

Eagles offensive lineman Shawn Andrews had his ailing back shot with two pain injections during the recent trip to Los Angeles to see Dr. Robert Watkins.

The back still hasn't calmed down, according to Andrews, to the point where he can take on a bull rush. He's now jogging and lifting light weights.

Andrews didn't practice Saturday but when asked about playing in te regular season opener said, "I think there's a great chance I cab be there,"

UPDATED: Mike Vick's long awaited debut, barring a setback, is only an official confirmation away from materializing Thursday when the Eagles oppose the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field.

And look for Vick to play quarterback, not the wildcat.

"He had a good week of work," Andy Reid said after the Eagles were beaten, 23-15, by the Colts Thursday night. "We'll just see how he does next week. We were shooting for the third game. We've just got to get a good feel on him throughout the week."


You many have to wait for the second half to get the first glimpse, though, as the starters traditionally play into the second half of the third preseason game.

Rarely do the Eagles discuss shopping players around the league for obvious reasons (Lito Sheppard nightmare).

But you can rest assured they would like to get something for veteran wide receiver Reggie Brown, a proven starter who isn't going to start for them barring a spate of injuries. Brown almost certainly would make the team, though, contrary to speculation.

The Eagles confirmed they talked to the Cardinals about acquiring wide receiver Anquan Boldin over the offseason. Brown was in those talks according to reports.

If the Jets fail to get a franchise-type receiver like Brandon Marshall - one of the trade rumors swirling - a guy like Brown would be an attractive alternative.

Of course, the Eagles would need to see a lot more from rookie first-round pick Jeremy Maclin, who wasn't at all comfortable in his preseason debut last week until the game was full of substitutes.

Twelve Eagles won't make the trip to Indianapolis for the second preseason game Thursday against the Colts.

Quarterback Michael Vick, who's not eligible to play in the game, will stay home. He's made enough progress at practice to play in the third and fourth preseason games.

Also not making the trip are running back Brian Westbrook, offensive linemen Shawn Andrews, Stacy Andrews, Jason Peters and Todd Herremans, quarterback Kevin Kolb, defensive ends Trent Cole, Darren Howard and Bryan Smith, linebacker Omar Gaither and cornerback Sheldon Brown.

Westbrook is the healthiest of the group other than Vick.

Tight end Brent Celek (shoulder) should be ready for duty.

Head coach Andy Reid said the starters would play the first half, the reserves the second half.

The starting offensive line from left to right is King Dunlap, Nick Cole, Jamaal Jackson, Max Jean-Gilles and Winston Justice.

Rookie LeSean McCoy will start at running back, Jason Babin at defensive end and Ellis Hobbs at cornerback.

Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley and Adam DiMichele are the quarterbacks.

Rashad Baker, the Camden, N.J. product, was axed Tuesday to make roster room for the addition of safety Brandon Harrison.

Harrison (pictured) is an undrafted rookie out of Michigan. The Eagles put him on the practice field with the number 45.

NFL Draft Scout rated the 5-9, 205-pound Harrison 68th out of 225 cornerbacks it graded for the 2009 draft.

Long after Donovan McNabb said Monday he told Andy Reid in July it would be a good idea to go after Mike Vick, he was asked if he considered asking the coach to bring in Plaxico Burress.

The 6-5 wide receiver and Eagles nemesis is facing weapons charges.

"I did," McNabb said. "I brought T.O. in."

Later McNabb denied through a club spokesman he specifically asked Big Red about Burress (pictured) just to clear up whatever confusion there was from his news conference.

That said McNabb explained he has a relationship with Buress, "and you want to see guys get an opportunity to continue on.

"I'm sure Plaxico hopefully will get an opportunity to do it as well," McNabb said.

Would a guy like Burress help the Birds?

"I don't think he would hurt but we have some great guys here at our receiving position," McNabb said. "But whatever you can do to enhance the team you would look into."

Michael Vick threw three straight interceptions at the Sunday afternoon practice in 11-on-11.

And it would have been four had Quintin Mikell not dropped another throw.

Of course Vick was running the scout team, certainly not the first or even the second team. And interceptions are part of the job there.

In 7-on-7 Vick completed four straight passes, all of them short.

Earlier he ran a draw from what many considered the Wildcat formation he could make most of his contributions this year.

In other news cornerback Sheldon Brown didn't get back on the practice field despite getting a favorable report on the ribs he injured Saturday. The Eagles said X-rays were negative.

Additionally defensive linemen Trevor Laws and Victor Abiamiri were on the field after lengthy injuries, but guard Shawn Andrews (back) did not.

The Eagles scratches for the Patriots game Thursday night were quarterback Kevin Kolb (knee), running back Brian Westbrook (foot, knee), middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (knee), defensive end Trent Cole (shoulder), offensive tackle Shawn Andrews (back), guard Stacy Andrews (knee), guard Todd Herremans (foot), tight end Cornelius Ingram (knee), tight end Matt Schobel (calf), defensive tackle Trevor Laws (hamstring) and defensive end Victor Abiamiri (pectoral muscle).

Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole started at the guards, Jason Peters and Winston Justice at tackle and Jamaal Jackson at center.

The Patriots scratched linebacker Tedy Bruschi, cornerback Shawn Springs, tight end Benjamin Watson, defensive tackle Ty Warren, defensive end Mike Wright, offensive linemen Mar LeVoir and George Bussey, longsnapper Nathan Hodel and linebacker Paris Lenon.

Dr. James Andrews, the renowned orthopedist who fixed the knee of Jon Runyan, repaired the torn ACL iun the right knee of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley Tuesday according to the Eagles.

The surgery was successful, the club announced.

Bradley blew the ACL in the Eagles Flight Night scrimmage at the Linc.

For now the plan is for linebackers Joe Mays and Omar Gaither to replace him by committee while Mat Wilhelm, the most recent addition, learns the defense.

The terse statement from the Eagles came out of nowhere.

Matt Nagy, the former Arena Football League quarterback who traded his coaching intern whistle for a pair of cleats and a helmet, won't be allowed to play any more quarterback for the Eagles.

"Matt Nagy's contract was disapproved by the NFL and he will not be re-signed," the statement read. "The team will look in another direction at the quarterback position."

Nagy, 31, practiced for the first time as an NFL player Tuesday and on Thursday was scheduled to play in the preseason opener against the Patriots at the Linc.

Backup quarterback Kevin Kolb's sprained MCL in his left knee Monday opened the door.

But the league stepped in suddenly and now the Eagles have offered a contract to Adam DiMichele, the Temple University product.

The injury bug hit the Eagles again Monday morning as backup quarterback Kevin Kolb sustained what an MRI revealed to be a sprained medial collateral ligament of the left knee.

Kolb won't play in the preseason opener Thursday against the New England Patriots and will be listed day-to-day after that according to the Eagles.

Kolb (left) hurt the knee stepping on the foot of offensive tackle King Dunlap in the pocket. There were fears he had torn an ACL.

The Eagles have tabbed Matt Nagy (right), the University of Delaware product who played professionally for the Columbus Destroyers, as the temporary backup quarterback while Kolb is idle according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. A camp coaching intern, Nagy has been throwing balls to rehabbing Birds running back Brian Westbrook. He attended Pennsylvania's Manheim Central.

Also carted off the field was defensive end Trent Cole, who suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder injury. Cole laughed and raised his left arm several times to show reporters he was OK on his way to lunch. The Eagles ruled him out of the preseason opener and will list him as day to day beyond that.

Also in practice, cornerback Sheldon Brown got the wind knocked out of him although he was able to stay on the job in the 90-plus degree heat.

All of those injuries happened in a 10-minute span.

In barely a week the Eagles lost starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley and rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram to season-ending torn ACL's.

The good news Monday was guard Todd Herremans (swollen ankle) returned to work and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (hyper extended knee) continued to work back into practice.

Guard Todd Herremans got back on the field Monday morning, having taken Sunday off to reduce the swelling in an ankle.

That gave Andy Reid almost a full house up front, the only absentee from the projected starting lineup being right tackle Shawn Andrews.

Jason Peters was operating at left tackle, Herremans left guard, and Stacy Andrews and Winston Justice were on the right side of center Jamaal Jackson, playing guard and tackle, respectively.

The other good news for the coaching staff is wide receiver DeSean Jackson continued to work through a bruised knee.

Jackson missed just two practices after hyper extending his right knee Saturday morning.

Meanwhile quarterback Donovan McNabb (above) prepared for his last autograph session of training camp.

Head coach Andy Reid took aim Sunday at right offensive tackle Shawn Andrews, who hasn't participated in a play or a drill at training camp after injuring his back bending over during the fitness run before the first full team practice.

Though Reid said Andrews (above center) was "making progress" in his rehab to get back on the field, he yanked on the reins and echoed a figurative "whoa" when asked if he was counting on the converted guard being in the starting lineup on opening day.

"I don't know that," Reid said. "Until he's out here I can't predict that."

Reid hasn't ruled out a return by right offensive tackle Jon Runyan, the unrestricted free agent coming off microfracture knee surgery. Reid said he spoke to Runyan at the Jim Johnson memorial ceremony and has kept abreast of the veteran's rehab.

Reid has a soft spot for Runyan, whom he called "the best right tackle in football bar none" after signing him in 2000. Runyan could know if he's ready to run early this week as he's scheduled to have the knee examined.

Elsewhere guard Todd Herremans sat out the Sunday practice with a sore ankle. DeSean Jackson also was idle for the morning practice with a mild, hyper-extendeded sore knee but he got back on the field for the afternoon session, the right knee taped.

Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley will have his torn ACL repaired Aug. 11. Tight end Cornelius Ingram will see another doctor before scheduling his ACL surgery.

Left offensive tackle Jason Peters and guard Stacy Andrews returned to practice Saturday morning, leaving the Eagles short just one starter up front - right tackle Shawn Andrews.

Peters is nursing a strained quadriceps while Stacy Andrews is coming off knee surgery.

But the big news revolved around wide receiver DeSean Jackson (above), who was carted off the field after jamming his right knee trying to get off the bump of cornerback Asante Samuel.

Jackson tried to walk the injury off but wound his way to the trainer's tent, who radioed for the cart.

Doing rehab work on the side during the morning practice were defensive end Victor Abiamiri (strained pect), tight end Cornelius Ingram (knee) and tight Matt Schobel (calf).

Later in tbe morning practice cornerback Ellis Hobbs, acquired from the New England Patriots, replaced veteran Sheldon Brown in the nickel defensive pass package.

Last year Joselio Hanson replaced Lito Sheppard in the nickel.

Sheppard was unhappy with his contract. Ditto Brown.

Donovan McNabb, 32, and the other Eagles veterans 30-and-older - with the exception of A.J. Feeley - got the Wednesday morning practice off.

No surprise here. Andy Reid began giving those vets every third training camp practice off last year.

What is at least mildly surprising is the commitment the Giants made to quarterback Eli Manning.

Manning, 28, got a six-year $97.5 million contract extension, making him and his brother Peyton of the Colts the two highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

Contrast that with McNabb, who didn't get an extension, the vet and the Eagles spinning the restructuring of the final two years of his contract providing a modest $5.3 million raise the prudent thing to do.

Does anyone out there think Manning, without Plaxico Burress, is a remotely better quarterback than McNabb? Thank you.

Does Manning deserve that much more of a commitment than McNabb based - at this point 0 on being four years younger?

But Manning has something McNabb probably won't get with the Eagles - a Super Bowl ring.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie can put it all in perspective for he gives his state of the Eagles address after the morning practice.

With middle linebacker Stewart Bradley out for the season, the Eagles jumped on the chance to sign Matt Wilhelm, cut recently by the San Diego Chargers.

Wilhelm (right) signed a one-year contract according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Wilhelm (6-4, 245) started seven of 16 games at inside linebacker last season and notched 51 tackles and an interception. He played six seasons with the Chargers.

Scouting reports suggest Wilhelm isn't an every-down player like Bradley, who tore the ACL in his right knee at Eagles Flight Night. Wilhelm isn't as fast or athletic as Bradley and has a checkered injury history. Wilhelm may be best utilized on early downs.

Also, Eagles top draft pick Jeremy Maclin (top) arrived at camp although he didn't participate in either practice.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Maclin has missed half of the play installation and that the Eagles will try to "expedite" the assimilation of Maclin into the offense.

What Mornhinweg wants to see more than anything is whether Maclin can get off press coverage consistently when lined up outside. In college he ran a lot of inside routes in a spread offense against smaller defenders.

NFL official Scott Green confirmed that Victor Abiamiri's muffed kickoff at the 27-yard line of the Eagles late in the first half in the NFC championship game is reviewable under the new rules and that the Cardinals would have gotten possession of the ball.

This year change of possessions plays previously whistled dead and non-reviewable are reviewable. The Cardinals were unable to appeal the kickoff Abiamiri clearly showed touched inbounds before rolling out of bounds.

At the time of the Eagles trailed, 21-6, with three minutes remaining in the first half.

UPDATE: Reid tells WIP 610 radio Tuesday morning thaty Bradley is out for the year.


Eagles head coach Andy Reid wouldn't confirm it, but his players did.

Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley sustained a Correll Buckhalter-type torn ACL during the inaugural Eagles Flight Night! and is not expected back this season.

One simple cut - the kind Bradley has made almost countless times - and the ligament snapped. The same thing happened to Buckhalter during the 2002 minicamp season.

Veteran Omar Gaither is the immediate replacement in the middle, as he's played the position before. But his skills set is better suited to the outside.

Joe Mays (5-11, 246), who played sparingly as a sixth-round pick last year, praticed there Monday. He has size limitations.

Tank Daniels (6-3, 246) might be a better fit than anyone on the roster as he has size and quickness similar, if a cut below Bradley (6-4, 255).

With Jeremy Maclin certain to agree to contract terms at any moment - he's one of the few first-rounders who haven't and realistically he's not going to sit out the season - it's time to look at how much money he lost dropping from seventh to 19th in the draft.

When all is said and done, the price Maclin paid for running his 40-yard dash a couple of tenths of a second slower than Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall selection of the Raiders. is about $24 million, including $14 million guaranteed. Had Maclin been faster, he'd have been a Raiduh, people.

And exactly who was it that said the 40-yard dash is overrated?

Wide receiver Heyward-Bey inked a five-year $38.25 million pact with $23.5 million guaranteed according to reports.

Tight end Brandon Pettigrew, the 20th pick, signed a five-year pact with the Lions worth $14.6 million, including $9.4 million guaranteed.

Maclin will fall somewhere in between, although a lot closer to Pettigrew.

Forget the weather.

Eagles Flight Night tonight at Lincoln Financial is a go. And you can expect fireworks in any number of ways.

Activities begin at 5 p.m.

Eagles practice starts at 7.

Tributes to Jim Johnson, the Eagles' late defensive coordinator, also will take place.

Tickets still are available (http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004290AA0740AE).