Eagles wake-up call


Each morning during training camp, we’ll be bringing you the Eagles wake-up call with links and notes from Lehigh.

A NOTE OF THANKS

We are thrilled to be up and running with Birds 24/7. Thanks to everyone who offered up kind words during our first day.

A reminder to follow us on Twitter throughout training camp (Tim here and me here). And for those of you looking for an RSS feed, here it is.

We’ll of course need your help every step of the way, so tell your friends, wake up your neighbors, call your grandparents. Whatever you can do to spread the word is appreciated.

Also feel free to tell us what you like and don’t like about the site, which will continue to be tweaked for at least the next couple of weeks.

WHAT YOU MISSED…

On Monday night, Tim had the scoop that the Eagles have shown interest in tight end Jeremy Shockey. Shockey turns 32 in August and started 13 games for the Panthers last year, catching 37 balls for 455 yards, while averaging 12.3 yards per reception.

The Eagles also reportedly will take a look at Visanthe Shiancoe.

The sudden interest in a veteran tight end is somewhat surprising, but it probably just means that the Eagles are looking for someone to push third-year player Clay Harbor and provide depth behind Brent Celek, who fought through injuries and played very well in 2011.

This will certainly be a situation worth monitoring on Tuesday.

Some other links you might have missed from Monday:

RBs coach Ted Williams talks Bryce Brown, and Albert Pujols
Howard Mudd on what he needs to see from Danny Watkins
Forecast for the Eagles’ 2012 draft picks

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…

I’m stealing this section from the old blog. For those who are joining for the first time, this is a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles.

Bill Barnwell of Grantland.com writes that LeSean McCoy is in the conversation for the league’s top running back and provides an interesting stat:

Undoubtedly benefits from having a rushing quarterback in Michael Vick under center; has averaged 5.2 yards per carry in games where Vick starts and just 4.2 in games where Vick was unavailable since both took over as starters in 2010.

Michael Lombardi of NFL.com has questions for every NFL team. For the Eagles:

Do the Eagles have the right combination of linebackers to handle their scheme and still possess the instincts to make plays against both the run and the pass? Can 2012 second-round draft pick Mychal Kendricks be a starter and handle the job? Does trade acquisition DeMeco Ryans have enough speed to be a three-down ‘backer and make plays in the passing game?

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com thinks the Eagles will go 11-5, but lose in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com has the Eagles going 10-6:

Last year, the Eagles had the best divisional record at 5-1 and will need that performance again to nip the Giants for the division title. In 2011, Philly gave up 132 points (26.4 per game) in the first five weeks and went 1-4. That will not happen in 2012.

COMING UP TODAY

Once again, it’ll be rookies and selected vets at training camp. The Eagles will have a walk-through at 8:45 a.m. and practice again at 3:30. We’ll also hear from defensive assistant coaches, including new secondary coach Todd Bowles.

So keep it here all day. Plenty more to come.