Phour for Phour Special Edition: All About Eagles

Welcome to part two of our special edition of Phour for Phour!

With the NFL lockout officially over, nearly five months of trades, acquisitions and training are now being condensed into a period of a few weeks. Training camp at Lehigh begins tomorrow, and even though free agents can't officially sign contracts with new teams until Friday at 6 p.m., that hasn't stopped anyone from conditionally agreeing to terms in the mean time.

It's going to be a wild ride until week one of the regular season, so let's take a look at what has already been accomplished, important milestones and dates, and potential player movement.

E-A-G-L-E-S!

New to the Nest

Coaching

Jim Washburn – Defensive Line (replacing Rory Segrest)

Washburn is one of the elite defensive line coaches in the NFL and when the Eagles were able to pry him away from the Titans, most considered it to be a coup. He brings his variation "wide nine" philosophy with him—a system that was able to turn Jason Babin from a role player in 2009 to a Pro-Bowler in 2010.

In a nine technique, defensive ends align themselves with the outside shoulder of the offensive tackles or tight ends, depending on the offensive line alignment. The philosophy maximizes the speed of the defensive ends, forcing their offensive counterparts to use different angles and hand placement in their blocking schemes. In a typical 4-3 defensive alignment, the "wide nine" alignment is known as Over or Slide.

Juan Castillo – Defensive Coordinator (replacing Sean McDermott)

Sean McDermott was relieved as defensive coordinator, following last season's humiliating playoff loss to Dallas. In one of the more puzzling moves Andy Reid has ever made, he promoted offensive line coach Juan Castillo to defensive coordinator.

The players certainly have respect for Castillo and his peers believe he'll get the most out of his players, but the fact is that he hasn't coached defense in any capacity since the mid-1980s, and that wasn't on the NFL level.

Howard Mudd – Offensive Line (replacing Juan Castillo)

Mudd is the man who kept Peyton Manning upright from 1998 through 2009. Widely regarded as the best offensive line coach over the past decade, the Eagles were able to lure him out of retirement.

Draft Players

The following is a list of the selections made by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFL Draft.

1st:  Danny Watkins (OG) – Baylor
2nd: Jaiquawn Jarrett (S) - Temple
3rd:  Curtis Marsh (CB) - Utah St
4th:  Casey Matthews (ILB) - Oregon
4th:  Alex Henery (K) - Nebraska
5th:  Dion Lewis (RB) - Pittsburgh
5th:  Julian Vandervelde (OG) - Iowa
6th:  Jason Kelce (C) - Cincy
6th:  Brian Rolle (OLB) - Ohio St
7th:  Greg Lloyd (ILB) - UConn
7th:  Stanley Havili (FB) - USC

Free Agent and Waiver Players

The following players were picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the end of the 2010 league-year. None of the three are expected to make the roster in 2011.

1. Phillip Hunt (DE/LB)
2. Rashad Jeanty (OLB)
3. Isaiah Trufant (CB)

Thanks for Playing

Early reports Tuesday out of the Eagles front office state that the team will not be signing any of their 15 free agents. One free agent, strong safety Quintin Mikell, has already agreed to terms with the Rams.

Here is the list of the Philadelphia Eagles free agents, all of which will not be returning to the team:

1. Stewart Bradley (ILB)
2. Victor Abiamiri (DE/DT)
3. David Akers (K)
4. Eldra Buckley (RB)
5. Nick Cole (C/OG)
6. Omar Gaither (OLB)
7. Jerome Harrison (RB)
8. Ellis Hobbs (CB)
9. Max Jean-Gilles (OG)
10. Akeem Jordan (OLB)
11. Quintin Mikell (SS)
12. Dimitri Patterson (CB)
13. Sav Rocca (P)
14. Ernie Sims (OLB)
15. Reggie Wells (OG)

Rumor mill

Kevin Kolb (QB) – Philadelphia Eagles

Kolb has already expressed his desire to play in Arizona and has worked out with several of the Cardinals' players independently. It's said that the Eagles may be looking for a combination of players and draft picks for the former second-rounder.

Most insiders believe the Eagles would receive Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB) and a late draft pick from Arizona, though no deal has been reached.

Plaxico Burress (WR) – Rikers Island, NY

Upon his release from prison, Burress donned a red Phillies cap, later taking to Twitter stating that he wanted to become an Eagle.

On the first day of the new league year, multiple reports are stating that Burress to the Eagles is a done deal.

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB) – Oakland Raiders

Prior to the lockout, it was a foregone conclusion that the Eagles were going to go hard after the four-time Pro-Bowler, but now their interest largely hinges on the possibility of Kevin Kolb going to the Cardinals and bringing Rodgers-Cromartie back in return.

Training Camp

Camp begins Wednesday, July 27. Here is the entire training camp schedule, along with the accompanying autograph schedule:

July 30: 8:15 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Linebackers, Tight Ends)
July 31: 8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – Running Backs)
Aug. 1: 8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Offensive Line)
Aug. 3: EYP Top Achievers Day – 8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – QB's, Defensive Backs)
Aug. 4: 8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Defensive Line)
Aug. 5: 8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – Wide Receivers, Kickers)
Aug. 6: Health and Safety Day – 8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Offensive Line)
Aug. 7: 8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – QB's, Defensive Backs)
Aug. 8: 8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Linebackers, Tight Ends)
Aug. 11: Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 13: 8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – Running Backs, Wide Receivers and Kickers)
Aug. 14: 8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Defensive Line)
Aug. 15: 8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (No Signings)
Aug. 16: Fan Appreciation Day – 8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (No Signings)