Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Posted: 4:15 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Even without their starting quarterbackor his backupa number of Eagles held another informal practice Tuesday at Memorial Sports Complex in Marlton, N.J.
This time, however, they were joined by their starting running back, LeSean McCoy.
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Training without coaches while the NFL lockout is still underway, the usual attendees were presentBrent Celek, Jason Avant, Jamar Adams, Eldra Buckley and David Akers, although Akers worked out on a separate field. Backup quarterback Mike Kafka was also there to cover for Mike Vick, whom Kafka said was working out elsewhere.
Prior to joining his teammates, McCoy said his workouts consisted mostly of running, lifting and conditioning. Tuesday was his first actual football workout this entire offseason.
"It feels good to get back with my teammates and run around a little bit," said McCoy, who wished his offensive line was there to join him.
"It's a little different, so that's the only thing I don't like about this whole thing. But just getting out here and getting in shape, running, catching, that's also big, too."
While McCoy missed his O-line, Kafka would have benefitted from the presence of his coaches. Selected in the fourth round of last years draft, Kafka spent his rookie season watching Mike Vick and Kevin Kolb and didnt take a regular season snap.
"That's one thing that you never really know where you're at until you go out and do it," Kafka said. "So as we keep on working through things, maybe a little throw's off here and there, but the best thing that we're doing is we're doing it right now."
And doing it with a running back.
"I just saw we threw a couple screen passes, so you kind if just want to get back in the groove of things now that we have a few running backs in town," Kafka said.
"So we'll be good, hopefully come back more often and really hit this thing because who knows how long it's going to last. But the more we put work in, the more we keep progressing, the better off we'll be."
If, as expected, Kolb is dealt, the Eagles will have to find another backup, but McCoy is confident in Kafka.
"Mikes tough, though," McCoy said.
"I think all the trade talk allows us to be comfortable and confident in Mike, both Mikes. Kolb's a great player. We love him to death. He's a great player, but Mike Kafka can hold his own, too. And everybody knows about Mike Vick, so I think we're confident in our quarterbacks."
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