Eagles Notes: More frustration for Eagles' Bell

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Mike Bell saw his past and future flash before his eyes.

When the Eagles running back pulled a hamstring last week, he was visibly upset, he said, because it felt like déjà vu all over again and again.

Bell, signed in the off-season as a restricted free agent after two seasons in New Orleans, said it was the third straight training camp in which he pulled a hamstring.

"I was like, 'Not again. Not again,' " Bell said Tuesday. "Regardless of what you say, they're injuries and it's a business and [coaches] got to move on. It hurts to say that, but it's the truth."

On Sunday, Bell became animated when he and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg engaged in a conversation outside the locker room. The exchange ended with a handshake and hug, but Bell said Tuesday that he briefly let his past experiences with the Broncos and Texans cloud his feelings.

"My thing is that I don't ever want to fall out of the grace of the coaches, and that's what I felt happened in the last two places that I was at," Bell said. "I think that injuries caused my demise, but it feels different here."

After a very productive rookie season in Denver, Bell suffered a series of injuries and fell out of favor and down the depth chart until he was released. He was signed by Houston during camp in 2008, but injured his back and was released eight days later.

The Saints signed him in November of that year and he had a solid 2009 season, but New Orleans did not match the Eagles' free-agent offer in March. Bell said he came into camp in his best shape of his career, and it showed early on.

"This is the best I've felt - ever," Bell said.

He is slowly returning from the injury and was able to participate in the early, noncontact portion of practice Tuesday.

Eagles guard Todd Herremans apologized on Twitter for an earlier "tweet" that referenced the HBO show True Blood and its "barrage of homosexuality."

"After speaking with Eagles management, I realize that my tweet earlier was insensitive and tasteless, and for this, I deeply apologize," Herremans wrote. "It was not my intention to offend or hurt anyone."

Herremans' original tweet, which was eventually deleted, went, "So.. caught up on Trueblood las nite.. Not a fan of how they get u hooked with the 1st 2 seasons then bring on a barrage of homosexuality."

Inquirer columnist John Gonzalez, who follows Herremans on Twitter, asked, via the online social-networking site, if the guard wanted to apologize for his tweet.

Herremans responded: "I have no issues with homosexuality, to each his/her own... It's just not for me.. #jussayin."

Herremans hasn't practiced thus far during this camp. He's on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. Eagles coach Andy Reid has insisted the injury is minor, however.

The following players missed Tuesday's practice: center Nick Cole (knee), wide receiver Hank Baskett (knee), cornerback Macho Harris (hamstring), defensive tackle Antonio Dixon (concussion), and kicker David Akers (foot contusion). Tight end Cornelius Ingram (knee/calf) was a limited participant in practice. Center A.Q. Shipley (ankle) and defensive end Ricky Sapp (knee)returned from their injuries. Wide receiver Kelley Washington had to be carted off the field for what he said were cramps. . . . Rookie defensive end Brandon Graham made the play of the day when he tipped a Kevin Kolb screen pass into his hands for an interception and raced past the pursuing quarterback for a touchdown. "Once I get going, then nobody can catch me," he said. . . . A limited number of standing-room- only tickets for the Eagles' eight regular-season games will go on sale online at 10 a.m. Thursday.

More frustration for Mike Bell. E3.

Jason Avant draws high praise. E3.