Eagles Notebook: Eagles' rookie Coleman shared tragedy with the late Jack Tatum

Jack Tatum, who died from a heart attack yesterday at 61, was one of the greatest defensive backs in Ohio State history. Tatum was a feared hitter, like Kurt Coleman, the Eagles' seventh-round rookie from Ohio State.

But Coleman and Tatum, later a star with the Oakland Raiders, shared a tragic tie, as well, though Coleman said that they never discussed Tatum's 1978 hit on New England's Darryl Stingley that left Stingley paralyzed, or the 2006 spring-practice collision between Coleman and teammate Tyson Gentry that left Gentry unable to move.

"We did have some in-depth talks. We never talked about it specifically," Coleman said after yesterday's training-camp afternoon session for rookies. "Every time we talked and we got in a conversation of football, he always would just say, 'Hit 'em in the mouth.' I think, playing this game of football, there are going to be some tragic things happen, and you've got to know that you're not doing it intentionally, and that's a part of the game. That's the game of football, and there was a time when I didn't want to play football because of it . . . I learned from it, I knew it wasn't my fault, and I thank God every moment that I'm here and I'm able to play this game."

Gentry, a walk-on punter and wideout, fell awkwardly after being tackled by Coleman. Gentry helped Coleman overcome his remorse and revulsion over the accident.

"I'm just blessed that he's still alive. He's doing a lot of great things for his life," said Coleman, who said he speaks with Gentry frequently. Tatum and Stingley never spoke from the time of their tragic encounter until Stingley's death in 2007.

Coleman said he cried when Gentry told him being paralyzed had made him a better person.

"He said, 'It's not your fault. It could have happened to anybody,' " Coleman recalled. "He's changed a lot of people's lives through his story and testimonies, and I think I've been able to share my story. It's been able to bring a lot of hope to people in the same situation."

Tatum had suffered from complications to diabetes, and lost a leg to amputation. Coleman said he couldn't picture Tatum, still vigorous when they last spoke, felled by heart trouble.

Kevin Kolb was pleased to get a text from his predecessor, Donovan McNabb, as Kolb prepared to assume the reins at training camp.

Down in Virginia at Redskins camp, McNabb seemed to agree that texting Kolb was a pretty wonderful thing for him to have done.

"I try to inspire young players, to just continue to keep their head up, write goals for yourself that are attainable, and for them to just have confidence in themselves," McNabb said. "For me, it could've been easier for me to walk out the door and not said anything to anyone. But that's not the type of person I am. I'm a guy who cares. I've text-messaged Kevin and . . . several of my former offensive linemen, and the list goes on. The thing about 11 years is, [it's] something you can't just forget."

It was another slightly confusing day on the Todd Herremans front, the starting left guard telling reporters after a morning workout with fellow injury victims that he didn't think he'd be playing in the preseason opener on Aug. 13.

But Herremans ran hard and well in the afternoon, maneuvering solidly without a limp, and he said after that session that he remains unconcerned about the status of his surgically repaired left foot. Asked about what he'd said earlier in the day, Herremans indicated he was assuming the Eagles would want him to take it slow, after pain in the foot caused him to miss OTAs. Herremans said his foot feels good and he isn't worried. But until he plays in a game again, there will be intrigue.