Eye on Lehigh

PLAY OF THE DAY…

During the live 11-on-11 session, both the first-team offense and first-team defense worked on the two-minute drill. The first-team offense drove right down the field on two separate occasions, thanks to a 30-yard completion from QB Donovan McNabb to WR Kevin Curtis. The drive was capped off by a 2-yard TD run by RB Brian Westbrook. Later, McNabb found WR Reggie Brown in the corner of the endzone on a 40-yard pass, despite double coverage. The first-team defense then came on the field and forced the second-team offense to go three-and-out, highlighted by a sack by CB Joselio Hanson, and a vicious hit by LB Stewart Bradley.

MONSTER TRUCK RACES…

The Eagles’ training staff broke out a new piece of equipment today for use by players rehabilitating from injury: monster truck tires. The players could be seen flipping the tires end over end on the practice field. Assistant athletic trainer Gordon Williams said, “The tires are good for conditioning, and they’re good for legs; especially for guys with hamstring problems.” What’s more, said Williams, the players were racing with the tires as “They’re good for team building. We had teams of three players racing against each other. One player would flip the tire for five yards, then the next for ten, then fifteen.” The small tires weighed 120 pounds, while the larger tires were between 250 and 300 pounds.

THINGS ARE HEATIN’ UP IN THE VALLEY…

Tomorrow’s weather forecast for Lehigh Valley according to Weather.com:

High: 89 degrees

Precipitation: 30%

Max. Humidity: 60%

TOTAL FAN ATTENDANCE: 5,283

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

· Tomorrow's practice times – 8:15 am and 2:00 pm (special teams)

· Tomorrow’s autograph session: Offensive line

BIRDWATCHING:

· Tonight LB Joe Mays will be live on Comcast’s Daily News Live at 6:10pm

· Tonight LB Joe Mays will be live on KYW’s 6 o’clock news as 6:26pm

· Tonight WR Greg Lewis will be on Comcast’s SportsNight starting at 10:00pm

· Tonight G Max Jean-Gilles will be on FOX’s Eagles ’08 starting at 11:00pm

· Tomorrow LS Jon Dorenbos will be live on FOX’s Good Day Philadelphia at 7:15am

· Tomorrow LB Andy Studebaker will be live on FOX’s Good Day Philadelphia at 7:40am

· Tomorrow WIP’s Athony Gargano and Glen Macnow will broadcast from the practice fields from 10-3:00pm with guests, general manager Tom Heckert, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, QB Kein Kolb, and LBs Chris Gocong and Stewart Bradley together.

Finally a Parade

PHILADELPHIA (Tuesday, July 29) – The Philadelphia Soul will celebrate bringing home the franchise’s first ArenaBowl title in style on Thursday, July 31 at 3 pm as the City of Philadelphia hosts a Championship Celebration at City Hall in Philadelphia.

The Soul won the title in New Orleans on Sunday, 59-56, against the San Jose SaberCats.

Many notables will take part in the festivities on Thursday, including co-majority owners Jon Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer, as well as minority owner Leo Carlin Jr. and team president and minority owner Ron Jaworski. Bon Jovi will not perform at the celebration, but Jon will address the fans.

Two-time ArenaBowl MVP QB Matt D’Orazio and the rest of the players will arrive at City Hall in style as Saturn of Philadelphia will provide Saturn Skys for transportation. The coaching staff, play-by-play announcer Ari Wolfe, the Soulmates, Soulman, the Soul Band & Drumline and the Foster Trophy will also be there.

The celebration will start with a procession that will begin at 6th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, and with a police escort the owners, players, coaches and Soulmates will make their way to City Hall.

Sixers sign Rush

The Rush brothers tandem in Indiana will not materialize next season, as reserve guard Kareem Rush has agreed to terms on a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Terms were not disclosed.

Rush, a fifth-year guard, averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for the Pacers last season, his only campaign in Indiana.

"As we continue to build our team, we're fortunate that we were able to sign a player as talented as Kareem Rush," Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said. "We feel his abilities on both ends of the floor and his range as a three-point shooter will be assets to us this season."

Brandon Rush, Kareem's swingman brother, was drafted 13th overall in June by the Trail Blazers, who then dealt him to Indiana, briefly putting the brothers on the same team.

The 27-year-old has averaged 6.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per
game with the Pacers, Bobcats, and Lakers over his career.

Eagles' Clemons hospitalized

Defensive end Chris Clemons was hospitalized Tuesday after suffering from dehydration during the morning's practice.

Meanwhile, defensive end Victor Abiamiri underwent surgery on his injured wrist .

Former Nittany Lion to play in Olympics

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA., July 29, 2008 – Former Nittany Lion basketball standout Jan-hendrik Jagla will become the first Penn Stater to compete in men’s basketball at the Olympic Games when he suits up with the German National Team at the 2008 Games in Beijing, China. He will join NBA standouts Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers as one of 12 members of team Deutschland.

Jagla, a native of Berlin, Germany, will compete in Olympic play at Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, Aug. 9-24. Germany is one of five European teams in the 12-team Olympic field, which includes defending champion Argentina. Led by Nowitzki’s 32 points, Germany grabbed the last Olympic qualifying spot with a 96-82 victory over Puerto Rico in the final game of the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens last week. Germany has never won an Olympic medal in basketball, but did claim bronze at the 2002 FIBA World Championships.

The 12 Olympic qualifying teams are split into two preliminary round groups of six teams each with the top four teams from both groups qualify for the knockout stage which will determine advancers to the medal rounds. Germany is in Group B along with the United States, host China, Greece, Angola and Spain. The Germans open competition vs. Angola on Aug. 10 and will face the U.S. team of NBA stars, including Lebron James and Kobe Bryant, on Aug. 18.

A seven-footer with the perimeter game of a two guard, Jagla played three seasons for the Nittany Lions from 2002-04 before leaving after his junior season to play professionally in Europe. He led the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg) in 2004 while earning honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection. Jagla scored 813 points and pulled down 549 rebounds during his Penn State career, posting career averages of 10.2 ppg and 6.9 rpg while starting 71 games in a Nittany Lion uniform.

Jagla went on to play with Turk Telekom B.K. of the Turkish Premier division and currently is under a two-year contract with Joventut Badalona of Spain.

Scouts rate the Birds

The Sporting News' digital daily was back at work today, this time asking NFL scouts to rate the league's defenders. Here's how the Eagles fared:

Trent Cole was the eighth best defensive end in the league. Asante Samuel was the second best corner behind Denver's Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins was tied for fifth among the league's safeties.

The Steve Lienert Show

After 15-plus weeks of spending quality sports time following the Soul, Episode 15 of The Steve Lienert Show begins with a celebration of a Philadelphia professional sports championship. Now granted, the Soul's ArenaBowl win over the SabreCats is on par with the Phantoms' Calder Cup titles and the Wings' MLL crowns, but it's still worth a shot a whiskey, right?

Lienert and The Pickleman also talk about whether Jimmy Rollins should be trade bait, Jayson Werth and his shirt sleeves, Shawn Andrews' MIA, Brian Westbrook's money problems and if should we start talking about the Liberty Belles. It's 20-plus minutes of your life you'll never get back, so why not spend it listening to The Steve Lienert Show?

Eye on Lehigh; Booker shows big play ability

HIGHLIGHTS

Wide receivers Greg Lewis, Jamal Jones, and Jason Avant made impressive grabs in one-on-one sessions pitting wide receivers against defensive backs in this morning’s practice.

On a sweep to the left, RB Lorenzo Booker wove in and out of defenders and broke multiple tackles on the way to the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown.

“I think that they [coaches] are going to use Lorenzo in a big way, “said Brian Westbrook in his press conference this morning. “From everything that I’ve seen he’s a talented guy. He had a long run today that 11 people missed, and he scored a touchdown. He’s a talented guy and as his teammate, you want to have the best 11 players on the field at a time. I’m happy to have him as a teammate.”

Booker will also get his chance to shine on specials teams this season as the Eagles number one kickoff returner.

“He’s got really good speed up the field,” said Rory Segrest, special teams coordinator. “He can see the creases there. Same thing from a running back position, he knows how to read the scheme, he knows where to be and he’s got the ability to get there.”


THINGS ARE HEATIN’ UP IN THE VALLEY…

Tomorrow’s weather forecast for Lehigh Valley according to Weather.com:
High: 89 degrees
Precipitation: 10%
Max. Humidity: 53%

TOTAL FAN ATTENDANCE: 7,411

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

· Tomorrow's practice times – 8:15 am and 2:45 pm

· Tomorrow’s autograph session – Defensive backs

BIRDWATCHING:

· Tonight Chris Gocong will be live on Daily News Live at 6:10

· Tonight Kevin Curtis will be live on Comcast SportsNet’s Sports Nite at 6:30 and WTXF at 10:00 pm

Sixers officially add Ivey

The Sixers officially signed free agent guard Royal Ivey Monday afternoon.

In four NBA seasons, Ivey (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) has appeared in 263 games with 109 starts, averaging 4.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game while shooting 42.1% from the floor, 33.1% from 3-point range and 71.4% from the line. He has averaged just 0.7 turnovers for his career.

Last season for Milwaukee, Ivey saw action in 75 games with 20 starts, averaging career-highs of 5.6 points, 2.1 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game. He hit 35 3-pointers in 2007-08 after having just 12 3FGM total his first three seasons combined. Ivey scored in double-figures 15 times last season after doing so a total of 14 times his first three seasons.

"We're happy that we were able to add Royal Ivey to our roster," said Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski. "As we continue to add to our team, we feel that his versatility, ability to handle the point guard duties and defensive strength will bolster our depth and provide us with additional options in our backcourt."

Ivey was originally selected by Atlanta with the 37th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He played his first three seasons with the Hawks and made 66 starts for them in 2005-06. That season, Ivey committed just 23 turnovers in 73 games played.

A four-year starter at the University of Texas, Ivey helped guide the Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament each season, including three consecutive Sweet 16 berths and one Final Four appearance. He was a two-time Big 12 Conference All-Defensive team selection and was named third-team All-Big 12 by the media his senior season.

Oh What a Rush!

WIP's Howard Eskin is reporting that the Sixers will sign sharp-shooting guard Kareem Rush on Tuesday...If true that backcourt is getting really crowded. If the team signs restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams amd moves Iggy to the 2 spot to make room for Thaddeus Young in the starting lineup, the Sixers will have Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Lou Williams and the newly signed Royal Ivey and Rush on board.

Phillies send Eaton to minors

The Phillies announced that veteran pitcher Adam Eaton accepted an optional assignment to the team's minor league system Monday.

No specific classification has been determined, however, and the Phillies will continue to work out his schedule.

The struggling right-hander was just 4-8 with a 5.80 earned run average in 21 games (19 starts) for the Phillies this season. His last two appearances came in relief.

A corresponding roster move to fill Eaton's spot on the 25-man roster will be made prior to Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.

Abiamiri out with broken wrist

Eagles DE Victor Abiamiri dislocated a bone in his right wrist during Sunday morning's practice and may miss a significant amount of action in training camp, according to coach Andy Reid.

The former Notre Dame star has consulted with team physician Peter DeLuca and team hand specialist John Taras On Monday.

An update on further treatments and Abiamiri's status will be announced later.

Scouts rate the Birds

The Sporting News' new digital daily asked NFL scouts to rate the top offensive players for Monday's edition and here's where the Eagles rated.

Donovan McNabb was tied for sixth with Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback behind Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees.

Brian Westbrook was third at running back behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, while holdout Shawn Andrews was third at guard behind Steve Hutchinson and Alan Faneca.

Also mentioned were Jamal Jackson, who finished in a tie for seventh amongst the league's centers and David Akers, who was rated as the NFL's seventh best kicker.

Eye on Lehigh; Westbrook excites

PLAY OF THE DAY…

During the “live” portion of today’s practice, RB Brian Westbrook carried the ball off right tackle and exploded through the line for a 70-yard touchdown.

OFFSEASON TRAINING PAYS OFF…

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson spoke highly about nine-year vet DE Darren Howard at today’s press conference, saying,

“I think Darren Howard is in the best shape he’s been in since he’s been here. I think his weight is down, I think he’s healthy…I anticipate a good year. I see a player who is in much better shape. His weight is down and he looks quick to me. I think he had a great offseason.”

During the 2008 offseason, Howard used a variety of alternative training methods, including mixed martial arts, which helped strengthen his core and improve his balance, and boxing, which helped improve his hand speed, fitness, and explosiveness.

BOOKER’S DREAMS COME TRUE…

After being acquired in a draft-day trade with the Miami Dolphins, RB Lorenzo Booker has enjoyed his first two days of practice with live hitting. "This is a dream come true for me," said RB Lorenzo Booker, "because (the offense) is spread out. The wide-open play suits my style, which is living in space. I really feel like a kid in a candy store."

Booker also takes great pride in working with his uncle, Musa Ramen, to develop a charity called African American Reading Room, which encourages kids to learn about ancient African and Egyptian history. "It's something that is very important to me. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn about his or her heritage." Booker has a tattoo on his left shoulder in African hieroglyphic characters that means "life." Around it is a pyramid shape with his mother's initials in the top corner and his brother's and sister's initials in the bottom left and right corners, respectively.

TOTAL FAN ATTENDANCE FOR THE MORNING PRACTICE: 2,987

BIRDWATCHING:

· Tonight LB Stewart Bradley will be on KYW’s Sports Zone at 11:30pm

· Tonight T Jon Runyan will by on NBC’s Sports Final at 11:30pm

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

· Tomorrow's practice times – 8:15 am and 2:45 pm

· Tomorrow’s autograph schedule – QBs, TEs, Specialists

Soul win Arena Bowl

-Courtesy of the Philadelphia Soul

NEW ORLEANS (July 27, 2008) -- The Philadelphia Soul capped a pressure-packed season with its first Arena Football League Championship, knocking off the defending champion San Jose Sabercats, 59-56, in ArenaBowl XXII Sunday afternoon in New Orleans.

Before a sold out crowd at New Orleans Arena, the Soul got key contributions from defense and special teams in a momentum-changing second quarter sequence to take a lead they would never relinquish. The Soul maintained control until the latter stages of the fourth quarter, when San Jose scored 14 points in 11 seconds to close within three points with :15 seconds left.

The anxiety subsided when Philadelphia’s Rod Davis recovered the onside kick, enabling D’Orazio to eat up the final seconds with three deep drops and tosses into the sideline spectator seating.

Philadelphia’s big-play offense was the biggest difference, as the team answered the pre-season challenge of majority co-owner Jon Bon Jovi and team president/former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski that the only acceptable result for 2008 was the league championship.

Bon Jovi and Jaworski went out and made two critical off-season acquisitions in wide receiver Chris Jackson and backup quarterback Matt D’Orazio. Both turned in all-league performances as the Soul proved to be the class of the league, posting a 13-3 regular season record while receiving the best fan support in franchise history.

D’Orazio, brought in to backup standout signal-caller Tony Graziani, ended up as the league’s top QB when injuries sidelined Graziani for most of the campaign. Sunday, D’Orazio was one of several stars for the Soul, completing 26 of 43 passes for 302 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. He was named the Game MVP for the second time in his career (Arena Bowl XX, Chicago Rush).

Jackson, arguably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the league, had 11 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns and he captured his first AFL championship in a nine-year career.

The pivotal second quarter sequence started with Philadelphia’s Clifton Smith making a highlight-reel tackle for the kickoff coverage team with the score tied 20-20. The defense then notched the game’s first stop when Gabe Nyenhuis’ pass rush forced an incompletion on fourth and four, giving the Soul possession at the Sabrecats’ 20 yard line. On the next play, D’Orazio hit Larry Brackins for the touchdown and the Soul took a 27-20 lead.

The Soul defense finished with five stops, including an interception by Eddie Moten, fumble recoveries by Phil Bogle and Kevin Carberry and a two-point safety by Raheem Orr and Carberry, which gave the Soul its biggest lead of the game, 46-27, in the third quarter.

Brackins finished with six catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns and Brent Holmes contributed five catches for 69 yards and one touchdown. Bogle, an offensive lineman, chipped in with two catches for 12 yards and the Soul’s final touchdown.

San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb, twice the Arena Bowl-winning quarterback and game MVP, kept his team alive throughout, finishing 27 of 44 for 299 yards and eight touchdowns. San Jose’s Rodney Wright set a new Arena Bowl record with 13 catches, accounting for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Jason Geathers added eight catches for 101 yards and five touchdowns for San Jose.

The victory gave the Soul a final 2008 record of 16-3 and the first title in its five year history. The Soul converted its third straight playoff appearance, winning two home playoff games at the Wachovia Center before going to New Orleans to capture Arena Bowl XXII.

San Jose, winners of three of the previous six Arena Bowls, finished the season at 13-6.

Jim Johnson talks about Asante Samuel's hamstring

“Of course you’re concerned about anybody getting an injury," the Eagles defensive coordinator said. "He’s staying in the meetings and from what I saw this camp, earlier, before he got injured, I saw him really learn the defense. I think he’s comfortable with the defense. He’s having a good camp. He’s been in this league for a while, as long as he stays up and learns the defense, I think he’s going to be alright.”

Sheppard, Birds talk turkey

Pro Football Talk is reporting that disgruntled Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard and agent Drew Rosenhaus held a sit-down with Eagles coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner Saturday.

A source described the meeting as calm and productive to the Web site.

Sheppard still wants a trade or a new contract, however.Sheppard is signed through 2011, at salaries of $2 million, $3 million, $3.7 million, and $4.25 million, respectively over the next four seasons.

A hamstring injury to Asante Samuel might change the Eagles hardline thinking on Sheppard, who is signed through 2011, at salaries of $2 million, $3 million, $3.7 million, and $4.25 million, over the next four seasons.

Eye on Lehigh; Samuel hurts hamstring

REID UPDATES SAMUEL…

Cornerback Asante Samuel hurt his hamstring during morning practice and Andy Reis updated things this afternoon: “He felt better once he got inside. He’ll probably have a MRI tomorrow. It was more positive after he left.”

DAWKINS GIVES IT ALL…ON AND OFF THE FIELD

The loudest ovation of the day came when Brian Dawkins batted down a pass in the one-on-one drills during the morning practice. Later, Dawkins also pleased Eagles fans by signing autographs for over an hour following the practice.

“It’s very satisfying," Dawkins said. "Fans plan this years in advance, financially, sometimes or a lot of times, to come out and have a good time out here. For me to be able to spend just a little time over there and sign some autographs and have a good time with them, it’s a good thing…If this is my last ride, I want to make sure everybody is happy with the outcome of the season, whether it’s signing autographs or holding up that trophy in the end.”

LET THE HITTING BEGIN…

Today marked the first practice with players in full pads with “live” hitting situations. One player, in specific, turned heads today with his thunderous hits. Rookie LB Joe Mays stands only 5-11, 245 pounds, but packs quite a punch when it comes to stuffing the run. Understandably, he was very excited to show his stuff in the morning practice.

“It felt pretty good [to get out there and hit],” said Mays. “I’m anxious every day. I play for the Eagles. It’s been a dream of mine and it’s coming true, so it’s a great day for me.”

PLAY OF THE DAY…

QB Kevin Kolb threw a perfect 40-yard pass to WR Greg Lewis for a touchdown in today’s morning practice.

TOTAL FAN ATTENDANCE: 8,966

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

· Tomorrow's practice times – 8:15 am and 2:45 pm

· Tomorrow’s autograph session – Wide Receivers

Join us on the radio

Join The Phanatic Magazine's John Gottlieb and John McMullen Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (et) for another edition of Johns on Sports, coming to you live from the studios of WTBQ 99.1 FM in New York.

The trading deadline is Thursday and the Yankees welcomed two new additions on Saturday as Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte were brought in from the Pirates. Are the Yankees done or will they bring in a starting pitcher? We'll talk about that and more with Newsday's Jim Baumbach at 8:05.

The Bombers are doing it with the arms lately and have won seven in a row coming into Saturday's action...will they be able to keep it going to bring home a division title?

The Mets are equally as hot and are waiting to make a splash in trying to obtain a corner outfielder. Jim Baumbach will talk about the latest trade rumors surrounding the Metropolitans.

Then there is the Jets and their flirting with Brett Favre. Is this a good move or is this bound to end disastrous like everything else they do. We'll speak with Bergen Record Jets beat writer J.P. Pelzman at 8:30 about Favre, Chris Baker, Vernon Gholston and more.

That's tonight on Johns on Sports. Join the program on WTBQ.com, calling in at (845) 651-1110, or writing an e-mail to johnsonsports@gmail.com.

EliteXC weigh-in highlights

Antonio "Big Foot" Silva ( left) and Justin Eilers will battle for the first-ever EliteXC heavyweight title in the main event on SHOWTIME Saturday night. The one-hour SHOWTIME telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Rafael Feijao (left) meets Travais Galbraith in a 205-pound match on SHOWTIME.

Wilson Reis (left) faces Bryan Caraway in a 140-pound scrap on SHOWTIME.

Robbie Lawler (left) defends his EliteXC middleweight belt against Scott Smith in the highly anticipated main event on CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS on the CBS Television Network (9 p.m.-11 p.m. ET/PT).
Thomas "Wildman" Denny (left) and Nick Diaz will clash in a featured CBS fight.

Nick "The Goat" Thompson (left) and Jake Shields collide for the vacant EliteXC middleweight crown on CBS.

Shayna Baszler (left) and Cris Cyborg will fight during a two-hour CBS broadcast.

Photos: Tom Casino/EliteXC