Contract squabbles dominate Eagles camp

The Philadelphia Eagles probably rate as something of a middling playoff contender in the tough NFC East this season. Like many teams, if their stars stay healthy they’ll have a shot but injuries, the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants could conspire against their quest toward Tampa on Feb. 1.

So it can’t be good news that three of the team’s top players are unhappy with their respective situations heading into training camp. Cornerback Lito Sheppard’s story has been told several times. He’s not happy to be the third cornerback after the Eagles dove into free agency and lured Asante Samuel from New England. He showed up for camp, as did Brian Westbrook, despite his alleged frustration with the team’s unwillingness to give him a new contract.

Westbrook, the team’s best runner and receiver at present, showed up but reportedly wants a new deal worth as much as $10 million per season – a figure most 29-year-old running backs don’t get in this day and age.

Perhaps more worrisome, however, is the alleged-contract-related holdout of Shawn Andrews, one of the top guards in the game. Pro Football Weekly isn’t certain that’s what his issue is, though it’s been reported that way on several Internet sites. Regardless, he did not report to Lehigh College and his absence, if not short, would leave a huge gap in the team’s offensive line.

Perhaps this is being overplayed. But training camp is supposedly a time when teammates grow together and build the chemistry it takes to blend together as a team. To have three top performers from Eagles teams of the recent past all grumbling because of their contract issues can’t help that cohesiveness grow.