Wentz, Birds’ offense clicking in theory and in early practices
PHILADELPHIA » Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos wears a reminder of his football mortality in the form of a three-inch scar on his right wrist.
It’s fresh enough to make you apologize for giving him a firm handshake.
Life was good when Dorenbos ran downfield to cover a punt against the Redskins this past December at Lincoln Financial Field. Even if his magic and artistry wasn’t enough to take the top prize in America’s Got Talent, the 36-yearold veteran shone a national light on the Eagles by reaching the finals. And then life blasted blasted him.
Redskins Linebacker Houston Bates slammed into Dorenbos with a crossbody shot sending him head over heels. On the day Dorenbos tied Harold Carmichael by playing in his 162nd straight game for the Eagles, his future was in doubt after a freak, season-ending injury trying to break his fall.
“I dislocated the lunate and it pinched the nerve and artery and tore every ligament there is,” Dorenbos said. “I had reconstructive surgery and it was braced-up for a long time.”
Lunate dislocations occur when one of the tiny carpal bones in the wrist are wrenched out of position according to online medical sites. The injury is associated with automobile accidents and falls from heights.
In addition to pure pain, Dorenbos felt tingling and numbness of the fingers and in the wrist essentially because the bone pushes against the carpal tunnel.
Think carpal tunnel syndrome … and then some.
At that point long snapping and magic acts were the last thing Dorenbos missed.
“I was in so much pain I wasn’t thinking about it,” Dorenbos said. “The surgery went good. I had three pins put in it, then five pins. Then it was a quality of life thing. When will I be able to drive my car? When will I be able to wash my hair again? When will I be able to just function? Once that came back I was like, ‘Alright, whatever happens, happens.’”
Dorenbos will be 37 when the Eagles open training camp. He’s as reliable as it gets. He’s also due $1 million in base pay this season and next.
Rick Lovato, who replaced Dorenbos last season, also is at OTAs. He’s due $540,00 this season. You don’t have to be a mathematician to realize the potential salary cap savings for the Eagles.
Dorenbos was asked if he’d look for another football job if the current door closes.
“It would definitely have to be the right situation,” Dorenbos said. “At this point in my life it would have to be the right situation, the right team, contenders. I wouldn’t just go play, to play. It would have to be the right situation. But I don’t want to play anywhere else.”
Dorenbos says he’s slightly ahead of schedule in his rehab. He’s snapping, the strength is returning and he’s optimistic, as always.
The magic act, he explained, accelerated his comeback in a therepeutical manner.
“It made the rehab a little bit more enjoyable,” Dorenbos said. “I had been doing stuff so long I didn’t realize how difficult some of the moves were that I would do because I’ve been doing them for 25 years. Like a lot of the stuff with cards, being able to count, feel them off the fingertip, being able to shoot them out, being able to cut, being able to shoot them from one hand to another. I didn’t realize how strong your hand has to be to shuffle. I didn’t have that strength anymore. So I had to relearn all of those moves and get my fingers to work together again. And that took a little bit of time. But it made the rehab more enjoyable.”
Dorenbos knows how fortunate he’s been to play pro football.
The latest scar is just another reminder.
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It’s early to worry about injuries.
Still, for those who keep track, the Eagles are short two defensive tackles expected to play key roles for them this season after Tim Jernigan went down favoring his right ankle Monday at OTAs.
While Jernigan was unable to complete practice, defensive tackle Gabe Wright (6-3, 299) was signed to a one-year contract with the Eagles before the session.
If nothing else, Wright gets more opportunity to put his practices on tape in the wake of injuries to Jernigan and Beau Allen, the latter coming off surgery for a torn biceps.
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Veteran running back Darren Sproles returned to OTAs Monday after taking the previous week off.
Veterans Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), LeGarrette Blount (illness) and Jordan Matthews (knee) didn’t practice.
Defensive end Marcus Smith, offensive tackle Jason Peters and punter Donnie Jones have yet to make appearances at OTAs.
*** Offensive coordinator Frank Reich got a little carried away discussing the Eagles’ offensive line. To wit: “I love our O-line,” Reich said. “We just have more depth and more strength this year. I think it’s one of the strong points of our team. I think we have great leadership there. I think Jason Kelce is a great leader up front. He’s a quarterback up there. The guy is as smart of a football player as you can get, and he just is very versatile in the things that he can do for us up front. I think we’re really good at the tackle position, obviously — two of the better tackles in the league. And then our guard situation is — I mean, our second-team guards should be starting on most teams. So it’s a very competitive room, really good room; good for our team.”
Allen Barbre practiced with the first team at left guard in place of Isaac Seumalo. The other current second-team guard is Stefen Wisniewski, who also can play center. The Eagles also picked up Chance Warmack, a former firstround pick, in a bargain basement free agency move.