Philadelphia Eagles hold open practice at Lincoln Financial Field
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Fans were dancing in their seats Sunday as they watched the first open practice of 2016, many with high hopes for the birds.
"I just love my Eagles. I just bleed green, you know," said Sharon Walker of New Castle, Delaware.
But some tried to curb their excitement.
"Open minded. Don't expect a lot, but I'll be open minded and hope for the best," said Bill Eisler of Pennsauken, New Jersey.
This season brings lots of changes from new Coach Doug Pederson to some promising new rookies.
"There's some doubts about how good he's going to do this year. So there's a lot of anticipation for how good this year is going to be," said Paul Harden of Franklinville, New Jersey.
"Jalen Mills, obviously, (Carson) Wentz and then the running back Smallwood. So I'm excited to see the rookies and to see how practice is going," said Fred Burns of Collingdale, Pennsylvania.
And those rookies were just as excited to see the fans.
"For a practice, it's pretty sweet. To see the support, to see everybody out here. It was really exciting and I had a lot of fun today," said Carson Wentz, quarterback.
More than 18,000 people attended Sunday's practice, and when it was over, many of them waited in line for access to the field - for the full open-practice experience.
"Taking pictures, having an enjoyable time. Great," said Mark Brewington of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Selfies, cartwheels and, of course, autographs were all fair game.
Jon Dorenbos says, "Here we are at the Linc! You gotta love it!"
"Me and my dad slithered to the front and he just came right to me. It was like meant to be," said Khyla Boatwright of Sicklerville, New Jersey.
And then there was 7-year-old Christina Gonzales who was covered in signatures.
"My favorite part was when all the football players wrote their names on me," said Christina of North Philadelphia.
Christina is fighting Stage 4 Sarcoma, and finishing her radiation treatments earned her a trip to the Linc.
"She wanted to see the Eagles team and the cheerleaders. It's her first time being down here at the stadium," said Uta Flemming, Christina's mother.
The only other open practice will be held on Sunday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m.
