Contenders in Philly

McNabb, Eagles will be among NFC's elite

This is the 11th in a series of postcards Sports Illustrated's Peter King will e-mail from his annual NFL training camp tour.

Saturday, Aug. 3

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

In Bethlehem, Pa., at Lehigh University. Great setting for a camp -- classic old campusy feel -- but the one drawback is that you have to drive everywhere. Drive to eat, drive to meetings, drive (two miles) to the practice fields. But Eagles fans have a great view of practices here, and they come in droves.

1. I think this was not Donovan McNabb’s best day. He threw incomplete on three of his first four throws in 7-on-7, including a wobbler way over Todd Pinkston’s head. "BOOOOOO!!!" said the crowd. But I will say this: No one in Philly will be booing this man in December, when, in his fourth NFL season, he will lead the Eagles to the brink of home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.

2. I think Freddy Mitchell does not impress me. Remember the famous Freddie Milons, who was a big hero three years ago at Alabama? He’s having a better camp. Mitchell ran the wrong route on the first play in a 7-on-7 this morning.

3. I think this is my fun fact about Sean Landeta, who, at 40, is entering his 18th season and kicking like he’s 25: He has now played with three Hasselbecks -- father Don, with the Giants in 1985, son Matt with Green Bay in 1998, and now son Tim, trying to make the Eagles. Tim, of course, is better known as Mr. Elisabeth Filarsky of "Survivor" fame two seasons ago. Kicker David Akers thinks Landeta might punt until he’s 50.

4. I think Akers is the next great kicker in this league. He’s been an 85-percent kicker in his last two seasons, and, kicking in Philadelphia, that equates to about a 90-percent rate in temperate climes. Against a 5-mph breeze on a live play with a rush, Akers lined a 58-yarder up on the left hash and kicked it through with 4 yards to spare.

5. I think defensive tackle Hollis Thomas willl miss the season with a broken foot. Crushing blow to this team. Thomas is a space-eater who lets Corey Simon be great because Thomas is such a tough guy to block inside. The Eagles are being conservative about the injury, not saying how long he’ll miss, but this is the second time this foot has been broken, leading them to think it wasn’t completely healed from the first break. The beneficiary of Thomas’ injury might be an undrafted rookie from Nebraska, relentless 285-pound Jeremy Slechta. Some reporter mangled his name after practice to coach Andy Reid. It came out like "Schlichter." To which Reid said: "Schlichter’s in jail." Which, of course, Art is.

Rookie safety Michael Lewis, a second-rounder from Colorado. My ace correspondent here, Reuben Frank, tells me, "What a hitter. I think he hits people in meetings at night." Reid et al are so impressed with him that they know they have to find a spot for him somewhere on defense, not just on special teams. He might be a good torpedo in the dime.

In big-play capability on offense. The two leading wideouts last year, James Thrash and Todd Pinkston, caught a combined 105 balls at 13.5 yards per. Marvin Harrison caught 109 at an average of 14.0 yards. More production from the wides is a must.

Not saying the interest in his program is waning or anything, but broadcaster Merrill Reese will do his Eagles’ radio show from the food court at the Oxford Valley Mall this year.

Watching practice is fun, and funny.

A must-stop on my camp trip, particularly when the players’ training table is closed to the media, is Deja Brew, just down the hill from campus in Bethlehem. I met the owners, Jeff and Georgeann Vaclavik, and Jason Pribila, who were behind the counter in the relaxed 11-table place there for the lunch crowd this afternoon. They did not disapppoint me. Appetizer: Italian pasta soup. Far too hot, but when it cooled, what a gem it turned out to be. Served in a tomato broth, with ziti, zucchini and red beans. This would be an A-plus on a windy, snowy day in eastern Pennsylvania, searlingly hot and all. A-minus. Sandwich: The Bednarik. Named after Chuck, who is a local. Roast beef, peppered turkey, American cheese, sliced onion and spicy brown mustard (which I subbed for the horseradish, because I’m not a horseradish guy) on French bread. A truly great American sandwich. Great onion, terrific roast beef. I would endure a blindside hit from Chuck for one more bite of a Bednarik. A. Side dish: Hot-air onion rings. Sounds strange, but not oil-fried. Tasty, and not bad for you. B. Dessert: Peanut butter balls and peanut butter fudge. One of each. Wow. One of the best little desserts of all time, and home-made by the in-laws. A bit too soft because of the intense heat, but extremely tasty. B-plus. Overall grade: I would drive a long way to eat here. A.

This morning, Donovan McNabb threw about a 25-yard rainbow intended for receiver Sean Morey, a free-agent vet from Brown by way of the Patriots, and cornerback Al Harris leaped high to knock it away. He deflected it, all right, but Morey leaped even higher and made a beautiful fingertip catch. As I noted the play in my notebook, the 50-something fan behind me looked down his roster, found Morey’s name, and exclaimed: "Wow! What a catch by SEEN Morey!"

He said "SEEN."

Now, how do you get to be 52 years old, or whatever he is, and not know how to pronounce "Sean"?

( Seen Morey Factoid: Seen has played in more NFL playoff games (3) than regular-season games (2).)

( Son on Seen Morey Factoid: Seen’s girlfriend is a professional hockey player in a Canadian women’s league.)

The Eagles are basically a stand-pat group from last season. They lost Jeremiah Trotter, of course, and that could be huge if Barry Gardner or the weighty Levon Kirkland can’t fill in adequately in the middle. But the loss of Trotter might be counterbalanced by getting better in the secondary with the three high picks, led by Lito "Shuffle" Sheppard. On offense, Duce Staley and Dorsey Levens -- who looks very good here, as opposed to his final fruitless months in Green Bay -- will handle the bulk of the running, with rookie Brian Westbook adding the Warrick Dunn element Reid wanted and didn’t get when the Eagles failed to sign Dunn in free-agency.

Looks like a 12-win division champ to me.

Off the camp trail until next week. Look for a new ‘card, from New England, Aug. 13 or 14.

Check back soon for more of Peter King's Postcards from Camp. Or visit the archive to catch up.