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Updated: July 24, 2003, 9:25 AM ET
By By Darrell Trimble | ESPN Insider
Philadelphia Eagles: It's been a tough offseason in Philly, and things could be on the verge of
getting worse. The Eagles have lost key players from last year's squad and
now it seems that they're on the verge of having their three top picks hold
out. Rookies and selected veterans are scheduled to report to training camp
Friday afternoon, but DE Jerome McDougle, TE L.J. Smith and WR Billy
McMullen may not be in attendance. "I think you have to look at each
individual and try to get deals done," Drew Rosenhaus told the Philadelphia
Inquirer. "You want to get your guys signed in time for training camp, and
we're hoping to do that with Jerome. We're still working on it." As for
Smith and McMullen, it's imperative they get signed as soon as possible
considering they must learn the complex West Coast offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Mark Brunell has been the team's starter since the fifth game of their
1995 expansion season, but new coach Jack Del Rio said that while the 32-year-old
vet will likely start the season under center, there are no guarantees.
"There are no guarantees in the NFL, other than right now, [Brunell] is our
starter and we anticipate him being our starter in the opener," Del Rio
said. "But to put the word 'guarantee' in there is something I'm not
comfortable about doing at any position. If somebody rises up and is better
than the anticipated starter, then that person is going to play. If David
Garrard is clearly the best player, then he'll play." Del Rio intends to
give Garrard the opportunity to compete for the starting job in the
preseason, possibly naming him the starter for the Aug.9 preseason opener at
the Minnesota Vikings. Del Rio plans to do the same for rookie Byron
Leftwich, should he not hold out, but neither has a good chance to unseat
Brunell.
Green Bay Packers: WR/KR Terence Wilkins is expected to visit the team for a workout today or
Friday. Wilkins, who was cut by the St. Louis Rams, had an average year
returning punts and kicks last year but the Packers want to look at him in
an effort to improve their dismal return game. His agent told the team
Wilkins is leaning toward signing with Indianapolis, the team for which he
played before the Rams. So far, the Packers' top candidate to return punts
and kickoffs is Antonio Chatman, a 5-9, 177-pound veteran of arena football.
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