Updated Sep 28, 2011 5:41 PM ET

A war of words on Twitter between two Philadelphia Eagles beat writers escalated into a physical altercation Wednesday, with one writer landing a punch to his counterpart’s head.

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News and Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer had to be separated by their peers at the Eagles practice facility, according to local sports radio personality and WCAU-TV contributor Howard Eskin.

The two men were involved in a Twitter spat Tuesday, during which McLane called the elder Bowen an “old hack that hasn’t broken a story in years.”

Bowen, who vowed on Twitter to handle his “business in person” landed a punch to McLane’s head before the feuding beat writers were quickly broken up, according to Eskin.

Tempers flared after McLane posted a tweet Tuesday regarding the status of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, in which he wrote Vick would likely start Sunday despite a bone bruise in his non-throwing hand.

The tweet prompted a line from Bowen which read, “Oh, and [by the way], nobody has any idea on Tuesday whether Michael Vick is starting this week.”

McLane apparently took offense to Bowen’s tweet, prompting the younger reporter to issue a slamming indictment.

“How about if Vick starts Sunday you have to say on [cable show] Daily News Live, ‘I’m an old hack that hasn’t broken a story in years, needs my editor to keep my blog fresh, and missed Vick on Monday because I was cluelessly tapping away on my computer and had to steal quotes from hard-working reporters who have a clue,’” McLane wrote directly to Bowen.

Bowen’s only response to McLane’s unflattering assessment was to say he would handle it “face to face.”

“I don’t intend to have any tantrums on Twitter, myself,” he replied to one follower. “If I have something to say to someone, it will be face to face.”

“I will handle my business in person, not thru yapping on Twitter,” Bowen wrote.

According to Philly.com, Bowen has covered the Eagles for the Daily News since 2002. He spent nearly 13 years covering the Flyers prior to taking the Eagles beat.

McLane began covering the Eagles for The Inquirer in 2009.

The much-anticipated trade of quarterback Kevin Kolb could have occurred as early as 10 a.m. as the NFL re-opened for business after the 18-week lockout.

But nothing happened and Kolb remained an Eagle for at least one more day. Kolb was not one of the players who checked in at the NovaCare Complex Tuesday; the thought is that he will remain at home in Texas until he is dealt.

The Arizona Cardinals remain a strong candidate for Kolb, with the Eagles possibly acquiring cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a 2008 first-round pick, in return. But the Cardinals may balk at the additional price of a high draft pick.

The Eagles, for their part, hope to maximize the return for Kolb to help fill the gaps on the team’s defense. Players under contract are not required to report until today when they check in for training camp at Lehigh University.

But many appeared at the NovaCare Complex for workouts or just to get back in the flow of football, including starting quarterback Michael Vick.

Vick said he wasn’t concerned about a new contract or extension for himself, which under the terms of the new labor agreement must be completed by Sept. 20 as Vick wears the Eagles’ “franchise” tag.

But Vick did hint that wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was not present, may hold out for a new deal that boosts his $600,000 salary, which is far less than premier receivers earn in the NFL.

“DeSean just has some things to think about,” Vick said, “and some decisions to make that only himself can make.”

The Eagles may have made some decisions about their own free agents. Published reports Tuesday indicated that the Eagles would not try to sign any of their own free agents — linebacker Stewart Bradley, punter Sav Rocca, safety Quintin Mikell and running back Jerome Harrison.

Team officials did not comment but Mikell and Harrison were widely thought to be unlikely to return. On Tuesday night, it was reported Mikell agreed to a four-year deal with the St. Louis Rams.

But for the most part, the Eagles were just happy to be back — a big enough story for most of them.

“I’m excited,” running back LeSean McCoy said. “I’m just geared up and ready to go. It’s been a long wait. Not knowing which way it would turn out, I’m definitely glad it turned out in a positive way.”

KINGSVILLE — Any chance he gets, Juan Castillo likes coming home.

And Castillo is coming home this week for a few days.

Castillo, who was recently promoted to defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, is speaking on Tuesday at Texas A&M-Kingsville as part of the University Lectureship Series on campus.

Castillo played and coached for the Javelinas from 1978-1984 then again from 1990-194 before moving on to a career in the NFL with the Eagles.

A native of Port Isabel, his promotion made big news in South Texas, especially the Rio Grande Valley.

Castillo arrived in South Texas on Sunday and spent the day in PI with family. He plans on making his way to Kingsville today and will share his story: Journey from South Texas to the NFL on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Jones Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

And Castillo hopes to see a lot of familiar faces.

“I have a lot of friends down there that I haven’t talked to in a long time and I would really love them to come out,” Castillo said. “There are a lot of coaches and players I played for and with down there and some times it’s hard to communicate with all of them. But I’d really love for as many of them to come join us.”

Castillo, who graduated from PI in 1978, played linebacker for the Javelinas from 1978-1980 and was part of the 1979 NAIA championship squad. He got hired on as an assistant with the Eagles in 1995 and worked on the offensive side, the last 13 seasons as the team’s offensive line coach.

But in February, Castillo returned to his defensive roots as head coach Andy Reid gave him an opportunity to be the team’s defensive coordinator.

The move was heralded amongst NFL coaches but welcomed with some opposition by fans, who’ve viewed Castillo as only an offensive coach.

But Castillo’s roots are on the defensive side. And even though it took him 16 years as an offensive assistant, Castillo said he’s ready to make a name for himself and the Valley as the new DC at Philly.

“No one’s given me anything,” Castillo said. “I’ve had to work to get where I am. But the key point I want to make on Tuesday is that it’s not about ‘me.’ It’s about ‘us.’”

And by “us,” Castillo is referring to the Valley and Kingsville.

“I really hope to see some old friends,” Castillo said. “That’s where I draw my motivation from. My family and friends back home are my motivation to succeed in the NFL.

“It’s not just about me up here. I’m proud of where I’m from. And when I’m up here, I’m representing the Valley and South Texas.”

Eladio Jaimez is a sportswriter for RGVSports.com. He can be reached at 956-430-6285 or eladioj@valleystar.com