Eagles Workout At The Linc, Prepare For Patriots
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Eagles participated in their second training camp practice at Lincoln Financial Field. Now, they are looking ahead to their workout time with the New England Patriots.
Monday's workout featured no pads and light work for the team, but the Eagles will put on the pads Tuesday as they practice with the Patriots. New England has agreed to three days of workouts with the Eagles. The two teams will practice Tuesday through Thursday in preparation for their preseason matchup on Friday. Defensive End turned Linebacker Brandon Graham is looking forward to the arrival of Tom Brady and company.
"Just to practice against them and have competition against the best is always a good thing," said Graham. "I'm just looking forward to a change-up and seeing some different people."
Trent Cole is undergoing a similar position switch. He believes the workouts with the Patriots will give him a better idea of his progress. He is also looking forward to hitting someone in a different jersey after battling his teammates throughout training camp.
"It's exciting," Cole said. "You don't have to go against your own teammates. Now, you can really get after it and turn the tempo up a little bit more."
The workouts with the Patriots will also help the players battling for jobs. Wide Receiver Arrelious Benn is battling for time with the absence of Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer knows all about working out with the Patriots.
"We practiced with the Patriots last year when I was in Tampa," said Benn. "I've got a feeling of how it's going to go. It's going to be a fun, physical practice. It's a chance to go out there and go against different guys."
The team is still limiting it's hitting in practice, but rookie Lane Johnson believes it will pay off for the Eagles in the long run.
"I think it's been better," Johnson said. "We have a bunch of veterans on our offensive line. Guys get beat up a lot in this league. It's a long season. You've got four preseason games and 16 regular season games. You've got to take care of your body early."
Running back LeSean McCoy and Center Jason Kelce both left Monday's practice early with minor injuries. Both are listed as day-to-day.
