Carson Wentz On Relationship With Sam Bradford: 'I Think It Will Be Great'
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After diving into the playbook at the beginning of the month, the Eagles' rookies are ready for their first test on the field.
On Friday, the first year players gathered for a workout in the practice bubble as they went through their first day of on-the-field work. Not surprisingly, much of the attention was on first round pick Carson Wentz, and the rookie quarterback is ready to make an impact on and off the field this weekend.
"I'm really excited to go out there and compete with these guys this weekend," said Wentz. "Hopefully, I can lead these guys and show what I can do and mentally just continue to grow and get these reps and opportunities."
The veterans will be back in town on Monday as they team gets ready for a round of voluntary OTAs. Quarterback Sam Bradford is scheduled to return, and there is concern outside the locker room of potential tension. Bradford and his agent made it clear they were unhappy to see the Eagles draft Wentz, but the rookie isn't worried about any issues when he meets with Bradford for the first time next week.
"I think it will be great," Wentz said. "I think it will be a really competitive atmosphere. Hopefully, we'll all learn together and grow together and really push each other."
While Wentz will be busy learning the offensive playbook, Blake Countess will be hard at work on the defensive side of the field. The sixth round draft pick out of Auburn spent much of his time at safety, but Countess is hoping his versatility will allow him to make an impact in his rookie season.
"I see myself playing wherever I'm needed," said Countess. "I've played every position in the back end and played at a high level. That's one of the reasons I am here. Right now, I'm learning everything and I expect to get reps at everything during camp."
Despite the optimism from the first-year players, all of the rookies understand there is plenty of work to be done. Players such as Running Back Wendell Smallwood can already tell the difference between college and the NFL, and the fifth round draft choice believes this weekend will be the first step of a long process.
"I probably could have learned the playbook in a day at college," Smallwood said. "But here, I think it's probably going to take a month or so. Things are constantly changing for us. I can't take a day off of the playbook."
