A Little Playing

Yes I know it has been a while since I have blogged and I would like to apologize. I have been very busy with football camp and now school is starting up. As things beginning to slow down, I will try to deliver the sports news for you. Again sorry about the past few weeks.

We all know by now that Vick is signed to play with the Eagles. With his agreement, he may play the final two preseason games [which are upcoming]. Eagles coach Andy Reid left open the possibility last night that Michael Vick would play in the team's third exhibition game next week, but he would not guarantee it. But Vick is being eased into this at a moderate pace. Having enough of a grasp of the offense to command the huddle and call signals is one obvious question. He gets only the final two exhibition games to prepare for the season. After the preseason, Vick will be allowed only to practice until Goodell makes his decision on full reinstatement, which could take as long as 6 weeks.

Vets Wanting to Play

It's time for the exhibition season and LaDainian Tomlinson wants to play. As usual, he and the San Diego Chargers' fans probably shouldn't hold their breath. L.T. hasn't played in an exhibition game since 2005, as first Marty Schottenheimer and then Norv Turner chose to keep him on the sideline to avoid injury. He is not the only veteran who wants to play in the preseason as Tom Brady announced that he wanted to play too. Seeing as neither player will, look for them to have a big season.

Rookies Receive Praise

Rookie Mohamed Massaquoi, who worked opposite Braylon Edwards with the first-team offense, helped himself by catching three passes on Derek Anderson's 13-play no-huddle drive, including a 12-yarder for a first down. Massaquoi also came on strong in practice towards the end of last week, dropping fewer passes and making some sensational catches. One was a one-handed grab in the end zone, but he failed to get both feet inbounds. "He's got really good ability and he's a young guy," said Mangini. "He had that amazing one-handed 'Jordan' grab the other day." In other scrimmage news, Mangini complimented Lance Leggett, who was signed as undrafted free agent out of Miami last season and spent the year on the practice squad. A nationally-ranked track star at Miami, Leggett has dazzled fans and coaches with his speed during camp and if he keeps it up, the staff will have a hard time letting him go despite a crowded field.

Time to Step Up

Even without knowing the extent of Steve Smith's shoulder injury, it's a safe bet he won't be a part of the team's plans when they play their preseason games. Coach John Fox has always been conservative when it comes to playing his first-teamers in the preseason anyway. But without Smith, it will give the crowded group of young receivers looking to make the team plenty of chances to do so. Dwayne Jarrett is the team's No. 3 receiver and will get a shot at perhaps being the Panthers' featured receiver in the preseason. And guys like Jason Carter, Kenneth Moore, Marcus Monk and Ryne Robinson are all trying to fit in there beind Jarrett.

Vick Welcome Back

2K Maybe?

Running back Adrian Peterson said he begins every season with an individual goal of rushing for 2,000 yards. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell doesn't see why that can't happen at some point. "He's been hovering around that area so I'm not going to crash the man's goals or his dreams," he said. "If he got 2,000 yards, we're doing something right. There would be a lot of happy people. Do I think it's possible? Yes." Do I think it's possible?? Yes!

Watch Out

Put simply, Gore is tearing up camp. He hasn't taken a moment off since camp started Aug. 1 and doesn't intend to ask for any down time. A different way of assessing Gore's readiness: "He has the eye of the tiger this year." He has been one of the best workers in terms of preparation since we started. He has the talent and passion to be an upper-echelon guy. It could be Gore is motivated by talk that the 49ers plan to give him a breather this season by sending in third-round draft pick Glenn Coffee, who is having a stellar camp himself. Gore values his carries, as all backs do. The Niners has liked what he has seen of Coffee, a one-cut-and-go type of runner. "He carries the ball well," the coordinator said. "Carrying the ball is his biggest asset. He looks pretty big to me. He's a very rugged guy."

Catching on Fast

Despite missing valuable learning time, Maclin proved in his first day of practice at Lehigh's Goodman Campus on Wednesday that he won't have a problem catching up fast. Maclin had participated in the Eagles' minicamp and optional training activities as well as quarterback Donovan McNabb's annual summer workout for receivers in Arizona. But nothing he's done since being drafted 19th overall in April compares to what he'll go through the rest of training camp.Outside of a few slips and mistakes, Maclin looked every bit like a receiver that will help the Eagles boast perhaps the best receiving corps McNabb has ever had. Also he is looking to get plenty of chances as the kick returner and punt returner during the Eagles' preseason opener Thursday night against the New England Patriots. If anything that is what he will see the most time playing this season.

Losing Weight

Nicks sat out both practice sessions with what he said was tightness in his right hamstring. It's nothing serious and he figures to be back on the field very soon. Coughlin, though, gets jumpy when youngsters miss any practice time, especially those who need to contribute early in their rookie seasons. Nicks knows what can happen if he doesn't heed warning signs. He strained his right hamstring during the NFL Scouting Combine and sent up red flags by gaining nearly 15 pounds, ballooning up to 225. Nicks explained it was Little Debbie Snacks. A particular favorite was the Zebra Cake. Mostly, these were consumed around the midnight hour. Coughlin instructed him to get his weight down for camp. Nicks before the draft already dropped down to his playing weight of 215, and at Coughlin's urging lost even more. Nicks consulted with a nutritionist from North Carolina and said he reported last week at 202 pounds, the lightest he's been since his senior year in high school. "I feel quicker," he said. "In college I played at 212, 215. If anything I will be faster and it will benefit me with faster injury recovery."

Trying not to be a Bust

Many Dolphin fans seem to have reached the conclusion that Ted Ginn Jr. will never be a No. 1 NFL receiver. The Dolphins themselves are more optimistic. "I believe I'm ready to go to the next level," he said. So does his position coach, Karl Dorrell. He said it took a while for Ginn to get comfortable in his role, having played with three quarterbacks as a rookie and a fourth, Chad Pennington, last season.While there is historical evidence to show some receivers don't reach their potential until their third pro season. After having nine games of one or no catches as a rookie, Ginn had 10 with four or more last year. While his best career numbers came in his seven-catch, 175-yard performance in a 25-16 home win over Buffalo last October, he has better memories of the season-ending, 24-17 victory at the New York Jets that clinched the AFC East title. His 27-yard TD hookup with Pennington early in the second quarter launched the Dolphins' comeback. "The game seemed to slow down for me that day," Ginn said. "It was a playoff atmosphere and it really showed what we could do when we put it all together."