Eagles' Young Made 'Personal Decision'

Scott Young's agent, Jeff Courtney, said Wednesday morning from his office in Alabama that the Eagles' reserve guard made "a personal decision" not to attend this week's voluntary full-team workouts. Courtney wouldn't discuss whether Young is unhappy with his status -- he lost ground last season, after being the top OL reserve in 2006 -- or his contract, which is entering its final season.

"He had personal reasons," Courtney reiterated, which might mean the absence ISN'T related to job dissatisfaction.

Pressed on that point a bit, Courtney said: "He's done nothing illegal or immoral."

Courtney could offer no further information, other than the observation that it is quite warm in Alabama today.

Eagles coach Andy Reid often excuses veterans from these workouts if there is a family problem -- like last year, when Brian Dawkins sat out because the premature birth of twins left the babies in precarious health. Reid certainly did not say Young's absence was excused. He seemed pretty peeved.

If Young is vying to get released quickly so he can try to catch on somewhere else before training camp, he might have chosen the surest route. Particularly since with the NFL Europe exemptions gone, the Eagles will have to trim from 88 to 80 players as they sign more draftees, heading into Lehigh. So far, only fourth-round safety Quintin Demps is signed and counts toward the roster.

Young has never made much of a mark as an Eagle, since arriving as a fifth-round draftee from BYU in 2005. His most memorable moment was a false-start penalty that killed the Birds' final drive in a 2006 season playoff game in New Orleans. Young played the second half after Shawn Andrews was injured.

He is, however, an Eagle Scout with 64 merit badges, which is believed to be a franchise record.