Just when you think you’ve got all the answers …

By Lou DiPietro  |   Thursday, July 31, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

Philadelphia Eagles
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The Philadelphia Eagles are only two weeks into training camp, and it already looks like a summer season episode of ABC’s hit show "Lost" – both literally and figuratively.

OK, no, so it doesn’t have scantily clad women cavorting on a beach – the Eagles' cheerleaders may be somewhere doing so, but it’s not in Bethlehem, Pa. – but what training camp does have is enough questions to make you tune in every day.

Coming into camp, there were three big ones. Will Brian Westbrook hold out? What are the Eagles going to do with Lito Sheppard? Can they get second-round picks Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson signed on time?

Two of those have been answered, as Westbrook, Laws and Jackson are in camp. But there are a couple players who aren’t; and therefore, like a usual "Lost" episode, new questions keep arising as old ones get answered or pushed aside.

New query No. 1: What’s up with the defensive line?

Last week, I, as many others have, touted that Victor Abiamiri would have a breakout season starting opposite Trent Cole. Well, he did get a break, just not the one he was looking for. This one occurred in his right wrist, which Abiamiri dislocated during Monday’s practice. He underwent surgery to place two screws in the wrist and fix some ligament damage, and the timetable for his return runs anywhere from six weeks to forever, depending on whom you ask.

If it’s any consolation, Darren Howard suffered basically the same injury in 2003 and missed eight weeks. That scenario would bring Abiamiri back around Week 3 or 4 – not a catastrophic loss, but one that keeps the roster in flux for a few key early games. Of course, he could be ready for the opener, he could be put on the physically unable to perform list and come back after the bye, or he could miss the season.

So what, you say? Injuries happen, and the Eagles are deep. They were, anyway, until that same day: Chris Clemons went to the hospital because of dehydration, Kimo von Oelhoffen suffered an undisclosed knee injury and rookie Bryan Smith pulled a hamstring. All of a sudden, seventh-stringers may have to become All-Pros, and with the market for DE help very thin, the Birds may have to hope Abiamiri is a quick healer. Maybe a trip back to see Touchdown Jesus at his alma mater, Notre Dame, could help?

There’s also a new question on the offensive side of the ball: What do the Eagles do about the line?

Starting right guard Shawn Andrews has yet to report to camp and all anyone knows is that he has some “personal issues.” Well, don’t we all? There’s no ETA for the former All-Pro either, which is particularly troubling. Sure, the Eagles have a capable fill-in in Max Jean-Gilles, or they could slide center Jamaal Jackson over one spot and let Nick Cole man the middle.

But neither of those options is optimal; if they were, either Andrews or Todd Herremans would be gone already. Plus, it makes the tackle situation a little sticky. Andrews, who played tackle at the University of Arkansas, has shifted over there from time to time in the NFL. With starting tackles John Runyan and Tra Thomas both injury prone and in their mid-30s, that potential shift is more important than ever – especially given that their next best option, Winston Justice, more closely resembled a turnstile than a human being last year. Hopefully for the Eagles, if the Andrews situation doesn’t resolve itself soon, they can find some depth in one of the many rookies or newly signed Cameron Stephenson.

And finally, there’s the literal correlation to "Lost." Jack, Kate, Sayid and the bunch are constantly searching for a way off the island, while Andy Reid and the gang are looking for someone who can actually return a kick. Wednesday afternoon’s practice was particularly bad, as onlookers couldn’t tell whether the Eagles were attempting kick returns or working on their Greg Lewis impersonations.

There are some positions in life where you have to be on your game at all times – say, like a brain surgeon. But if catching the ball were akin to said profession, it would be malpractice city in the Lehigh Valley. There are about eight guys “auditioning” for the role, with Lorenzo Booker seemingly in the lead; hopefully for Philly, one of them can actually get the hang of it.

Of course, if you watch "Lost," you know that the castaways – a few of them, at least – finally made their way off the island. The Eagles are hoping the same can be said for them this season, although one thing is for sure: Opposing teams will be a lot less tolerant of mistakes than the “Others” in "Lost" are.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Lou DiPietro

Lou DiPietro is an accomplished freelance writer who is fascinated with all things sports. In addition to his duties at RealFootball365.com, Lou contributes to TheBleacherReport.com and Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, and has been featured on "The Sports Buffet with Matt West" on 1080-AM ESPN...
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CommentsComments: 8  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
09:06 AM
07/31/2008
thank god westbrooks there now they gota do something about Lito. Sorry eagles fans problems are still brewing it seems.
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No.2
RedskinFan21ST		02:33 PM
07/31/2008
Yeah this Eagles team has a lot of off the field issues and that's not good when your team is getting older by the minute. They...
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No.3
Cunningham12		03:13 PM
07/31/2008
It just seems like a lot of things being blown out of proportion. The return game will work itself out with Sheppard, Westbrook,...
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