Kelly: 'Very Optimistic' About Bradford
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Make no mistake about it, Sam Bradford is the most polarizing sports figure in Philadelphia.
So naturally, the first slew of questions fired at Chip Kelly during his Tuesday press conference, were about Bradford as he recovers from an ACL injury.
"Sam's doing a great job in terms of what we've asked him to do," Kelly said. "We think he's right on track, is probably where we think he is right now. He's progressing every day and he's doing a real good job of that.
"I'm very optimistic with Sam, and as I said, he's gotten better every day."
In terms of his leadership, Kelly says Bradford is already exemplifying that around the facility.
"I think Sam has done a great job," Kelly said, of Bradford's leadership. "Whether it's in the meeting rooms, or the weight room, or in team meetings, or just side-of-the-ball meetings. You can see he has those skills."
Kelly discussed many players individually on Tuesday, speaking highest of new defensive back Walter Thurmond and veteran linebacker Brandon Graham.
"Walt's done a really nice, probably been our most productive guy in our secondary in terms of pass breakups and strips, and things like that," Kelly said of Thurmond. "He always seems to be around the ball, so he seems like he's fitting in right now."
Graham, 27, enters his sixth NFL season after signing a brand new four-year, $24 million contract in March. Kelly says Graham is in the best shape of his life.
"I think he's invested in himself," Kelly said. "You look at where he's at physically. I think he's in a lot better shape than he's ever been. You watch how he's getting after it in the weight room, he's probably one of our stronger guys. Pound for pound, maybe our strongest guy in terms of what's gone on here in the last eight or nine weeks in the weight room in what we're doing there. Brings a great energy every single day he is in the building whether he is on the practice field, or in the weight room or in the meeting rooms. I think he's really kind of stepping into a leadership role. Losing someone like Trent Cole is an outstanding player here and really the leader at the position. Now, I think Brandon Graham's kind of assumed a little bit of that responsibility, along with Connor [Barwin]."
One guy Kelly did not praise is the Eagles' 2013 fifth-round draft pick, safety Earl Wolff.
"Earl has done nothing except stretch, so there is no progress right now," Kelly said firmly. "He's been cleared from Dr. Andrews a couple weeks ago, but it's what he can tolerate."
