Veteran safety Quintin Mikell estimated yesterday that about 80 percent of his teammates, including quarterback Donovan McNabb, are on hand this week for the start of the Eagles' full-squad voluntary offseason conditioning program.

"It's exciting, because it kind of feels like we're ready to start playing again, even though it's not going to be for a little bit yet," Mikell said. "It's definitely welcome to get started again. Seeing the Giants win it, that added insult to injury . . . I was ready to go as soon as the Super Bowl was over."

For a few Eagles, such as Mikell and second-year linebacker Stewart Bradley, there is an added attraction - they return penciled in as starters for the first time. Mikell, now embarking on his sixth season after signing as an undrafted free agent from Boise State, started 11 games last season, subbing first for Brian Dawkins, then for sore-shouldered Sean Considine. He played so well that he goes into the spring as the starting strong safety, with Considine coming off his second shoulder surgery in 3 years.

"I was a lot more excited this offseason about the start of the offseason program than I ever have been, because of the opportunity I have in front of me," Mikell said. "For some reason, a lot of people [in the media] aren't willing to say I'm the starter, but I feel like I'm the starter; whatever happens, I feel like I earned that. I try not to listen to what people say because I know I can do it, and I know I've earned a spot."

Eagles coaches have dismissed the popular fan notion that corner Sheldon Brown could be switched to safety, leaving Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard as the starting corners. Mikell said he also finds that unlikely, and in fact, as you read this, the Birds are down at the NFL meetings in Florida trying to trade Sheppard. Samuel and Brown almost certainly will be the starting corners this season, and Mikell and Brian Dawkins will be the starting safeties.

Of course, the Eagles could draft a safety later this month, with Dawkins turning 35 in October, but that player would be unlikely to start this season.

"Every year since I've been here, they've drafted a safety [somewhere]," Mikell said. "I can't worry about that."

Bradley was a third-round draft choice last year from Nebraska who played mainly on special teams until Takeo Spikes suffered a season-ending shoulder injury just before Christmas. Bradley played extensively in the last two games; he managed an interception and a sack in his first NFL start, Dec. 23 at New Orleans. The Birds were so impressed by the late efforts of Bradley and undrafted rookie linebacker Akeem Jordan, they released Spikes last month, saving $5 million in salary-cap room. Bradley begins the spring as the starting middle linebacker, with Omar Gaither moving back to the weakside and Chris Gocong staying in his strongside spot.

"I was definitely surprised with what happened [to Spikes]," Bradley said. "I was grateful for the time I had with him; he's a great player. I'll head to work each day and work hard, and we'll see how it all works out."

Fans might wonder whether one start and two solid games really prove Bradley can thrive as the Birds' middle linebacker.

"I got a lot of [practice] work with the first group," Bradley said. "I feel comfortable in that role . . . all I can control is how hard I work, how many hours I put in studying."

Bradley, 6-3, 254 and quick, gives the team more size in the middle than it had with Gaither. The interception and sack of the Saints' Drew Brees certainly got fans' attention, since the Eagles, last in the league in turnovers, labored to make big plays all year.

Even before the veterans showed up this week, Bradley was putting in time at the practice facility. He said he has been meeting with linebackers coach Bill Shuey three or four times a week.

"We go through different aspects of the defense, and work on different parts of everyone's game, building a strong foundation . . . making sure your stance and your initial steps and your pad level [are right]," Bradley said. "We're trying to hone and sharpen everything. The difference is really small between making a play and not making a play."

Mikell has been a special-teams leader for the Eagles, and Bradley assumed a prominent role last season. They probably will not play much on kicks or punts if they are starters, which probably is one reason the Birds went out and signed three free agents with strong special-teams backgrounds - fullback Dan Klecko, linebacker Rocky Boiman and tight end/h-back Kris Wilson - for their units, which have been young and underwhelming the past few seasons.

"Bringing in guys that really want to be committed to special teams . . . You could look at it as, bringing in guys that have been there before, are really hungry and ready to get it done," Mikell said. "That's the way I see it."

Birdseed