Camp Countdown

Ok, I haven't figured out exactly how to put one of those stupid countdown clocks on the page to tell you down to the second how much time is left before training camp begins, but let's just say it's three weeks before rookies report. (Veterans have until August 1 to show up; don't look for anyone on the practice field wearing a #81 jersey.) I'll admit I've never been to a single Eagles training-camp session in my life, but now that I have the blog, I'll try to correct that this year.

I'm feeling especially inspired after Sports Illustrated's Peter King listed the Lehigh site as one of his five favorite training-camp spots in his latest column (here). If you aren't interested in reading the whole thing, here's the part about the Eagles' camp, which came in at #4:

"4. Eagles (Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.): Two things you need if you come to this picturesque place an hour north of Philly: Sunscreen (the early August sun in eastern Pennsylvania is relentless, and there is no shade anywhere near the practice fields), and good walking shoes (the tree-lined Lehigh campus is a red-bricked beauty, but it's nothing but hills). Don't let either deter you, because players are around. I've seen Donovan McNabb strolling the campus where the players and coaches live for three weeks each summer. McNabb, Terrell Owens and Dhani Jones shared a cramped on-campus apartment last summer. (I'm betting McNabb and T.O. won't be roomies this August.) Just off-campus, in struggling Bethlehem, is the best place I eat at any training camp (except for the quasi-gourmet dining halls of the Browns and Giants): Deja Brew, an artsy, down-home sandwich shop with superb lattes. Get the Kaiser Soze (Cajun turkey, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, bacon on a Kaiser roll). And finish it off with the best sweet thing I've ever had: a 29-cent peanut-butter ball, made by the owner's mom. Bet you can't eat just one."