Wilson’s dazzling catch a highlight of dog-day practice

PHILADELPHIA » Rookie receiver Tim Wilson put on a show Sunday at Eagles training camp.

The product of Radnor High celebrated a spectacular backshoulder touchdown catch in 1-on-1 red zone with a chest flex that had teammates and fans roaring.

“I ran a corner route and I took the inside release so I had to fight to get back outside,” said Wilson, defended by cornerback D.J. Killings. “And when I fought to get back inside he was on my right shoulder. Since he was playing up so far, playing to the ball, I just pushed him off a little bit and got a little separation and used my hands. Then I did a little of this.”

“This” was the chest flex. It was smooth, much like the way the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Wilson runs routes against bigger opponents.

On this Sunday, it’s possible there was a little more adrenaline flowing through Wilson on what for a handful of Eagles was one of the sloppy, dog days of training camp.

The audience included close friend Shawn Bussey, one of Wilson’s roommates at East Stroudsburg University, and Bussey’s younger brothers. Bussey and Wilson played football in college and were familiar with each other from running track.

“We got a house off campus,” Bussey said of the East Stroudsburg days. “It was a great time. We knew we’d be friends when we visited each other’s houses off campus and we’d be like, ‘this roommate is dirty or that roommate is dirty.’ We’re neat freaks. Everybody in the house. We all like took turns cooking and stuff like that. This is a dream come true for Tim and I’m very happy for him. I hope he gets a chance to get on a 53-man roster in the NFL.”

Eagles fans who know what a pain Cowboys slight (5-8, 180) slot receiver Cole Beasley can be should know that Wilson poses the same type of matchup problems for defensive backs. Wilson’s quickness and reliable hands are attention-getters.

“Credit to him,” Killings said. “He’s shifty, real fast, real quick and he competes. And that’s what I really like about him. I’ll put him up there with one of the quickest guys on the team. And he’s short, so he looks even quicker.”

It could be tough for any of the camp hopefuls to land a receiver job on an Eagles team with Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mike Wallace, Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson, the latter coming off a big game. Wilson and Bryce Treggs, Markus Wheaton, DeAndre Carter and Kamar Aiken all are battling for snaps.

Wilson didn’t have a catch in the preseason opener but contributed a block on a run play. He likely will get another chance to play in the second half of the next preseason game.

Instead of fretting over the numbers, Wilson studies practice tape, game tape, whatever he can get his hands on. Every inch of training camp seems to be on some type of video.

“We watch everything, 1-on1, 7-on-7, team,” Wilson said. “Every time you’re on the field you’re basically like trying to show out every time.”