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With Vick and Kolb away, Kafka handles throwing at Eagles' informal practice

Eagles informal workouts continued without Michael Vick on Tuesday, but running back LeSean McCoy was the latest marquee player to join the small gathering in Evesham.

Kevin Kolb and Mike Kafka have been the quarterbacks at the Eagles' informal practices this week. (Ron Cortes/Staff file photo)
Kevin Kolb and Mike Kafka have been the quarterbacks at the Eagles' informal practices this week. (Ron Cortes/Staff file photo)Read more

Eagles informal workouts continued without Michael Vick on Tuesday, but running back LeSean McCoy was the latest marquee player to join the small gathering in Evesham.

Vick, who helped organize the first several practices, was working out with his personal trainer near his home in Virginia. The Eagles quarterback last participated in workouts last Wednesday.

"We brought guys in for a [two-week] passing camp," Vick said in a text message. "I don't work out with the guys. I have a personal trainer. I just throw with them."

Vick said his trainer was based in Virginia. He has occasionally worked out at Power Train Sports in Cherry Hill with other Eagles this offseason and during the NFL lockout.

With no Vick on Thursday and Friday, backups Kevin Kolb and Mike Kafka handled ball-throwing responsibilities. Kolb, widely expected to be dealt once the Eagles can do so, headed back to Texas, leaving Kafka in charge of all the throwing.

"Mike has played a lot of ball," Kafka said of Vick. "I know when he comes out here he looks pretty crisp. So we're not worried about Mike."

Vick's last public appearance in Philadelphia was on Thursday, when he spoke to students at Martin Luther King High.

The workouts, for the most part, have been very loose, with players dropping in and out on various days. McCoy, who has spent much of the offseason working out in Miami, made his first appearance on Tuesday.

"These next couple of weeks we're probably picking it up," he said.

The workouts, sometimes involving non-Eagles players, have been lightly attended. Aside from Kafka and McCoy, tight end Brent Celek, receiver Jason Avant, running back Eldra Buckley, and safety Jamar Adams were the only Eagles in attendance on Tuesday. Former Eagles receiver Greg Lewis showed up to catch passes for the first time.

Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, who has been a regular, was absent. DeSean Jackson is based in California, but McCoy said he expects the receiver to eventually partake in workouts.

"He's actually doing a lot of good stuff in his communities in California," McCoy said. "I think he told me once he gets done with that he's going to come and work out."

With McCoy and Buckley in tow - and Jameel Poteat of Bishop McDevitt High in Harrisburg tagging along with McCoy - Kafka finally had some running backs to throw to.

"That's definitely a big part of the game," Kafka said. "As you saw, we threw a few screen passes. Just want to get back in the groove now that we have a few running backs back in town."

Practice lasted approximately 45 minutes. For the first time, the Eagles ran routes on grass. Kafka, who has said he wants to be the backup should Kolb get dealt, has maintained his throwing during the offseason. Even after practice last week he and receiver Riley Cooper went to a park downtown to throw.

"No lines, no grass, divots all over the place, but we got the work in," Kafka said. "So that's all that matters."