Andrew Gardner Takes The Lead In Eagles Right Guard Battle

By Ed Benkin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Eagles' right guard position was one of the few starting spots which was still undecided heading into training camp.

There now appears to be a front-runner.

Andrew Gardner was one of four players competing for the starting spot. With three preseason games remaining, indications are it is Gardner's job to lose. The veteran is entering his eighth season in the NFL and his second with the Eagles, and Gardner is seizing the opportunity to step in at right guard.

"Some other guys got hurt," said Gardner. "But I've always been told when your chance comes to make the most of it. Hopefully, I've done that and now I'm in the mix to maybe be the starter this year."

Matt Tobin, Julian Vandervelde and John Moffitt also appeared to be in the mix in the battle for the starting spot. However, Chip Kelly put Gardner with the top unit during Sunday's preseason opener against the Colts, and Kelly was impressed with how Gardner was able to maintain a solid level of play.

"The one thing about Andrew is he's very consistent and you know what you're getting," Kelly said. "He's extremely intelligent, knows how to run angles and knows where he's going on every play. He does what you ask him to do. He's not a flashy guy that's going to go out there and you're going to see him drive some guy back 15 yards and put him on his back and pancake him, but he always seems to be in the right spot and I think he's worked really hard at it."

Gardner would not anoint himself as the leader in the battle for the starting spot, but he is clearly more comfortable in the Eagles system this season. Gardner saw time as a starter last fall, and believes working in between Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson in 2014 has helped him in 2015.

"I feel very comfortable with Lane and Kelce," said Gardner. "We got six games together last year. I think they feel the same way. I don't want to speak for them, but the more reps you get with somebody, the more comfortable you get."

Gardner knows he needs to maintain his consistency throughout the rest of the preseason if he hopes to start on September 14th, when the Eagles open their season in Atlanta. He is taking a simplified approach as the regular season draws closer.

"I guess they want somebody consistent," Gardner said. "I'm just trying to play the best football I can. Hopefully, that gets the job done."

Kiko Alonso returned to practice on a limited basis on Tuesday, and fellow linebacker DeMeco Ryans is expected to return on Wednesday. Safety Earl Wolff remained sidelined with a knee injury.

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