Eiland preparing for NFL season

Greg Eiland is back in Philadelphia for most of July after spending the past couple of months working out with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL.

Eiland was in familiar territory last week. He is working out daily in the same Philadelphia Tornado weight room where he played his high school football. A graduate of Philadelphia High School, Eiland went on to play on Mississippi State’s offensive line for four seasons in the Southeastern Conference.

This past spring, Eiland signed as a free agent with the Seahawks. The 6-foot-8, 321 pounder is listed as a tackle on the offense. He has been in Seattle the past couple of months, working out and learning the system.

“They gave us a month off but they expect us to continue training,” Eiland said. “We will go back July 25.”

Eiland said the team put the rookies up in a hotel while they were in Seattle. A typical day started around 6 a.m. First, all players were tested for COVID-19 daily. From there, it was meetings, training and workouts until 4 p.m.

“It was a lot of hard work,” Eiland said. “You go in and workout. You get to the meetings on time and be a professional about everything you are doing. It is still just football but now I am in the NFL. Everything is nicer and more organized.”

Eiland said he got to know Seattle head coach Pete Carroll.

“He was very nice,” Eiland said. “He was out in the hall and I spoke to him every day.”

Eiland said he knew a few people, including former Mississippi State teammate, Tommy Champion, who was there trying to make the team.

“I’m not sure where I am on the depth chart,” Eiland said. “I will figure that out when we get back. I think playing four years in the SEC got me ready for this.”