Professor

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...o_Baskett.html

excerpt:

The second-year receivers are battling for the No. 3 spot, on slightly more even footing than last season.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - One rookie became the surprise story during the early days of Eagles training camp last summer.

The other spent his days in the air-conditioned trainer's room rehabilitating after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Fans at Lehigh University chanted Hank Baskett's last name in the same World Cup soccer style that they used to chant "T.O." before he became a disgruntled outcast who eventually joined the Dallas Cowboys.

But fans at training camp last summer couldn't even see Jason Avant, a fourth-round pick from the University of Michigan who was injured during minicamp.

For Baskett, his rookie training camp remains a special memory that served as a springboard to an outstanding first season in the NFL.

"Oh, yeah," Baskett said yesterday after the Eagles' morning practice. "That was really my first experience in the NFL, so it definitely brings back memories for me to be here. This isn't my favorite place to be just because of how hot and humid it is, but this is where you start the season."

Baskett's start at Lehigh last year was amazing. He seemed to catch everything thrown in his direction and even some passes that weren't in his vicinity. The fans fell in love with him. He was an undrafted player out of New Mexico who had been traded from the Vikings to the Eagles, but it looked as if he would be a starter on opening day.

Instead, the Eagles traded for Donté Stallworth, and Baskett assumed a far lesser role in the offense. For a rookie, especially an undrafted one, Baskett still had a solid season. He caught 22 passes for 464 yards, ranking fourth among NFL rookies in both categories.

Remarkably, more than a third of those yards came on two of Baskett's catches. He pulled in an 87-yard touchdown catch from Donovan McNabb early in the Eagles' win over the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, then topped that with an 89-yard TD catch from A.J. Feeley in the regular-season finale against Atlanta. Baskett also had a 25-yard reception in the Eagles' playoff loss at New Orleans.

"Hank has great skill and ability, and he can certainly help a football team in many ways, as he did for us last year," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He's big and he's physical, and I love those big, physical guys. I think at this point in his career, he's a little better inside, but you've seen him make some excellent plays outside. . . . He's a little bit faster than people think."

"I'm still doing the same thing - trying to make this team," said Baskett, who left the afternoon practice yesterday with cramps. "Wide receiver, everybody says, is one of the biggest battles this year, and I'm definitely going in with the same mind-set. In this game, nothing is guaranteed."

With the addition of veteran Kevin Curtis, who was brought in to replace the speedy Stallworth, there is no guarantee that Baskett will see the field any more than he did last season.

Avant, who is healthy now, figures into that equation, too. Remember, the Eagles used a fourth-round pick to get him a year ago, so they obviously think he is talented. He also projects as a slot receiver.

"There is some good competition there," Mornhinweg said. "We have multiple guys that are good inside. You can have two different types inside: One is a smaller, very quick and fast receiver, and the other is a big, physical guy. In both cases, you can get pretty good matchups, depending on how you use them against a safety or linebacker."

Avant's rookie season was only slightly better than the start of his rookie camp. He was inactive for eight of the Eagles' 16 games and had just three catches for 28 yards in the first 15 games. He fumbled away the longest of the three catches in the loss to Tampa Bay.

At least Avant finished strong. He caught four passes for 40 yards, including his first NFL touchdown, in the Eagles' season finale against the Falcons.

"I'm excited about this year and being healthy," Avant said. "I realize you can't take your health for granted. Last year was a good lesson because no matter how good an athlete you are, you can't help the team [while] hurt."

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