Eagles Put Full Squad On The Field
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Friday was the first full-squad workout for the Eagles, and the sense of urgency is already evident.
Head Coach Chip Kelly has talked about how all of the players have a clean slate, so few Eagles are feeling any job security in the early days of training camp. Kelly asked his players to be ready to go when training camp started and the head coach is impressed with the condition of his players at the start of camp.
"Everybody was full go," said Kelly. "I'm really happy with how they ran. It proved to me that these guys are really serious and they did their work over the summertime."
Tight End Brent Celek is entering his seventh season with the Eagles, and the veteran can sense a difference from previous training camps. Celek believes every player is taking a serious approach to each workout.
"There's a sense of urgency," Celek said. "Whether it's mini-camp or training camp, I think it's about the same. I think guys definitely accept it, but we've got a long road to go. We just have to keep working hard."
Trent Cole is one of the players who is making a huge adjustment on defense. The longtime defensive end are dropping back in coverage more this season as a linebacker, but Cole says everyone is committed to making the system work.
"Everybody's in," said Cole. "Coach Kelly's got everybody's full attention, and that's what you want. Everybody knows that they have a chance to get a position here. It's open."
One player who is fighting to keep his job is Danny Watkins. The offensive lineman was benched last season and saw the team take offensive lineman Lane Johnson with their first round pick in the draft. Watkins says he understands he has to step up his play during camp.
"We're going to be that much better up front," Watkins said. "It sets me back, but that's not anyone's fault but mine, so I just need to play better."
The team will have another practice without pads on Saturday before putting on the pads Sunday with their workout at Lincoln Financial Field.
