Chip Kelly Silent On Plan For Sam Bradford Against Ravens
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sam Bradford has been chomping at the bit to get back on the field for preseason action. He is hoping he will finally get his chance on Saturday.
Chip Kelly decided to sit Bradford for the team's first preseason game last Sunday against the Colts. All signs point to Bradford getting back on the field Saturday night when the Eagles host the Ravens, but Bradford may have to wait a little longer to get the official word about his playing time.
"I haven't talked to him (Kelly) this week," said Bradford. "Our conversation last week was that I'm going to play, but with coach, you never know. I'm hoping that he hasn't changed his mind."
Kelly said is was a coaches decision to sit Bradford last week a year after the quarterback suffered a torn ACL. Kelly said the coaches would decide on Friday what their quarterback rotation would be. Kelly says Bradford has benefited from the team's joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens this week.
"Baltimore's front is very formidable," Kelly said. "But again, they're still not hitting him. There's great respect for both teams. We're staying off of (Ravens QB Joe) Flacco, they're staying off of Sam and all the other quarterbacks. I thought the work we got in with them yesterday was good."
While Bradford is hoping to start, Mark Sanchez will likely be the first quarterback off the bench. After taking over as the starter last season and starting the preseason opener last weekend, Sanchez says he'll have no problems coming in after the first unit has left the field.
"You don't really worry about it," said Sanchez. "With Coach Kelly, you have to be ready to come off the bench shooting three-pointers. When I came in against Houston (last year), the first play we had was a deep play action pass, so I don't think he is going to just ease you into the game."
There is still a chance Sanchez could start, but Bradford has made it clear he would be disappointed being a spectaor for the second week in a row. Bradford has been happy with his progress and believes he is at the point where he can play. He is even hoping to test his knee with a hit from an opposing player.
"I think it's always good to get that first hit out of the way," Bradford said. "You never like to hit, but I think sometimes it gets you in the flow of the game. Hopoefully, it's not a big shot. I wouldn't hate going to the ground once and getting up knowing I am going to be okay."
The Eagles and Ravens will have one more joint workout on Friday. Eagles Linebacker Marcus Smith left Thursday's practice with a hamstring injury and will have an MRI on Friday.
