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Rookie receiver catches Eagles' attention
Rookie Reggie Brown is already receiving praise from Philadelphia's offensive coordinator
The Philadelphia Eagles are moving on without Terrell Owens and Freddie Mitchell.
With Owens holding out of Philadelphia's mandatory minicamp and Mitchell on his way out of town, rookie wide receiver Reggie Brown is getting a chance to show off his skills.
"I've been waiting my whole life to be in this position and I'm going to take advantage," Brown said Saturday. "Football is what I was raised on. It's good to come to a city that loves football."
Brown, selected in the second round during last Saturday's NFL Draft with the 35th overall pick, is getting a crash course in the Eagles' version of the West Coast offense this weekend. He's spending more time learning the playbook than working on new moves.
"They're not really teaching techniques," he said. "You should have that down. They're teaching us the plays. I think my progress has been good."
Brown had 144 catches for 2,008 yards and 12 touchdowns in four years at Georgia. The Eagles liked his strength and ability to run after catches, and scouts consider him very athletic with excellent field vision.
"He's doing a very nice job in there with a lot of volume and a lot of physical play," offensive coordinator Brad Childress said. "I've seen him do some things underneath the defense and I've seen him do some things down the field stretching the defense."
Brown can play any of the wideout positions and is spending time playing both the inside and outside spots in camp. He's willing to line up wherever the teams needs him.
"He can really play either out or in," Childress said. "He's big enough in stature to get in there, but you just want him to make sure that he's full speed at whatever he's doing. You don't want him measuring or thinking."
Philadelphia's receivers haven't contributed much in their rookie years, mainly because the intricacies of the Eagles offense are difficult to master. Starter Todd Pinkston had 10 catches in 2000. Mitchell caught 21 passes in 2001. Greg Lewis made six receptions in 2003 and Billy McMullen hauled in one pass that season.
Childress is optimistic Brown can work his way into the rotation, especially with Owens' status uncertain.
"That's the goal," Childress said. "He's certainly shown an aptitude and the ability to be able to hold his own. It's just a matter of how he continues to grow. After 60-70 practices, we'll know a lot more."
Owens, an All-Pro last season, skipped camp because he wants a new contract. His holdout could extend deep into training camp, which starts in late July. Owens said several times since Philadelphia lost the Super Bowl he wants to renegotiate the seven-year deal he signed last March. The Eagles have refused to redo the contract worth more than $46 million.
Mitchell, a former first-round pick, was told by coach Andy Reid to stay home while the Eagles ponder trading or releasing him. Mitchell talked himself off the team with his outspoken comments and his constant griping about his role in the offense.
Source: AP
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