NFL Fantasy Owners – Visit to Eagles Training Camp

NFL Fantasy Owners – Visit to Eagles Training Camp

This past Friday I took my annual visit to Lehigh Universityto check out Philadelphia Eagle’s training camp. This year I brought along myuncle Hank and his life-long friend Roy. Both are owners in our fantasyfootball league. I tied in the trip to camp and lunch at P.J. Whelihan’s asreward for help with a furniture move. The food and atmosphere at P.J.’s was as good as advertised. Cold beer,juicy burgers and more TV’s than you can count, helped bide our time till the afternoonsession of camp.  The Eagles haveswitched practice programs this summer to include shorts and pads in the 8:00AMsession and full pads and contact in the heat of the day, beginning at 2:35PM.I assume this will help with those late summer games that are played in theafternoon and not 8AM.

As we arrived at the Goodman Campus of Lehigh, both Hank andRoy could not believe the amount of people who took the pilgrimage to see theirbeloved Eagles stretch and play catch. With close to 5000 in attendance on thisFriday, it is clear that Training Camp has become a big part of the Eaglesbrand.  A giant tent of merchandise forkids, women and of course men's clothing greets you as you enter the practicefield.  This is the prime opportunity forthe Eagles to generate sales from this event. Admission to training camp isfree and the Eagles charge a nominal fee to enter the KidsZone, a fun NFLexperience type setting where kids can run, jump, kick and throw like a Pro.

Excellent seating is available with grandstands surrounding thetraining complex.  We caught specialteams on a satellite field before heading over to the main field.  Sitting across from the East grandstandoffered us excellent seats as we viewed 7 on 7 passing drills and full squadpassing plays. This lasted about 90 minutes and by 4:30 we had had our sunquota for the day. The facility has zero shade, so bring the sunscreen anddress light. I have made the mistake in the past of sneaking out before work orafter lunch in slacks. This is not advised.  I highly recommend getting your fantasy teamowners together for a trip to the LehighValley.  Great golf, brew pubs,grandprix style cart racing, a full-servicecasino and a freemusic festival make for a great vacation. Campruns till August 14^th.