The Philadelphia Eagles ended one of their longer and more physical training camps

The Philadelphia Eagles ended one of their longer and more physical training camps under head coach Andy Reid on Wednesday morning at Lehigh University. Players returned to Philadelphia, where they will board a plane to Cincinnati on Thursday for their second pre-season game Friday night.

"We ran 200 more plays here than we did a year ago," Reid said. "And that's good for a young team."

The Eagles are a young team, a very young team.

The average age of the projected starters on both offence and defence is around 25. The only non-kicker on the team over 31 years old is 32-year old defensive end Juqua Parker.

"We're a deep, young team," wide receiver Jason Avant said. "Are we too young? I don't think so. I mean we're young in terms of age, but in terms of football we have guys who have played a lot of games. I think we're young, but with experience."

The Eagles added 13 draft picks to the roster this year plus another 14 first-year or rookie free agents. So the extra days of practice — the Eagles under Reid have always broken camp after the first pre-season game — was helpful for all of the new faces, as was the extra hitting.

"I think the game is still about blocking and tackling, so we practised those things," Reid said about running one of the more physical camps in the league. "It's about that simple. I think it's just one of the major parts of the game.

"It builds a good foundation, particularly with a young group. They need to be introduced to what the National Football League is all about. It's faster. There's more pressure put on you physically and mentally here than what you face at the college level. And there's no better place to figure it out than here at training camp."

The Eagles opened camp at Lehigh for rookies and selected veterans, which included first-year starting quarterback Kevin Kolb, on July 26. The rest of the team reported July 29. They went twice a day, except for the day before and the day after the first pre-season game against Jacksonville.

"It was long; too long," veteran fullback Leonard Weaver said. "That's why I can't wait to get out of here and get back to Philly."

As the 49ers went through a two-hour workout in shorts and shells, Westbrook, wearing No. 20, was getting a crash course on the offense from running-backs coach Tom Rathman.

When he wasn't in discussion with Rathman, Westbrook was engaged in a long talk with trainer Jeff Ferguson as well as mingling with his teammates.

It's a new team, a new color, a new number and a new offense after eight years playing for a Philadelphia team that never changed its system during his tenure.

"I'm just trying to learn the offense, because I've been in the West Coast offense for eight years," Westbrook said. "The hardest thing to do is sit on the sidelines and watch, but it's probably the best way to learn."

Until Westbrook learns the playbook and terminology, he will impart the wisdom gathered from a career as one of the NFL's most prolific running and receiving backs.

Starting running back Frank Gore said he plans on being a good listener.

"He's been a great back in this league for a long time," Gore said. "I already started asking him questions. I feel he can help me get better."