Matt Barkley hopes to beat out Tebow and climb higher

The quarterback who receives the least amount of attention on the Eagles is the one who has been with the organization the longest. He's the lone quarterback Chip Kelly has ever drafted. And he's the only one who has not been traded or released by a team - or at least not yet.

Matt Barkley is entering his third season in Philadelphia. He arrived in 2013 expecting to compete with Michael Vick and Nick Foles for the No. 1 job. He now must hold off Tim Tebow from taking the No. 3 job.

"He's not taking my reps on the field," Barkley said. "He's an arm we need for the team with G.J. [Kinne] moving to receiver. . . . Tim's just one of us. He's trying to make the team like we all are. But it hasn't affected my approach to how I feel the team thinks of me or how I come out to compete every day."

Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez, the two quarterbacks ahead of Barkley on the depth chart, draw attention as potential options to start this year. Tebow draws attention for being Tebow. Barkley, who was similarly a famous college quarterback, has been relegated to background status.

But after two seasons in which the former Southern Cal star dressed for 14 games, played in four, attempted 50 passes, and has not thrown a touchdown, he said he's "the most ready I've ever been" entering a season.

"I feel good about where I am and what the staff thinks of me," Barkley said.

He needs the staff to think more of him than Tebow. With Kinne now a wide receiver, the Eagles have four quarterbacks. They'll likely keep three on the 53-man roster. Bradford and Sanchez will take two of those spots, as long as Bradford is healthy.

Tebow has starting experience, but Barkley appeared to be the more polished passer during last week's organized team activities. He also was the No. 2 quarterback, with Bradford still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Eagles will return to the field Tuesday after Monday's session was postponed by thunderstorms.

The No. 3 quarterback this season might need to be the top backup if Bradford misses time. Kelly views Tebow as a quarterback. He said he's not evaluating Tebow at any other position.

With two-point conversions remaining at the 2-yard line, Kelly said the Eagles would not go for more two-point conversions. Tebow's ancillary value on special teams and in short-yard situations can help him, but it won't be what dictates his candidacy as much as quarterback skills. And Barkley might be superior in that area.

Barkley has not done enough in his first two seasons to lock down a roster spot, although he knows the offense and impressed Kelly in the 2014 preseason. Even before the Eagles signed Tebow, Barkley's name surfaced in trade rumors. Barkley did not expect to be traded, though.

"I had intel from what was going on, and there was nothing really that was going to happen," Barkley said.

Barkley's agent, David Dunn, also represents Kelly. So Barkley hinted that Dunn would be aware of what's happening with the Eagles and whether a deal would have happened.

Regardless of Tebow, it's unlikely Barkley would creep higher on the depth chart unless Bradford is injured. As much as Kelly calls for a competitive situation, the Eagles will pay Bradford nearly $13 million and gave Sanchez a two-year deal with a maximum value of $16 million.

"I'm not looking to compete for a third spot," Barkley said. "That's what it is based on contract numbers, but I'm just looking to play my best. If that ends up being the third, then so be it. If it ends up being the first, I'll be happy with that. But I can't control how money talks. I'm just going to perform on the field, and if the coaches like it, then they'll [do as they see fit]."

That likely won't be enough to get Barkley any closer to the starting job than he was during his first spring. In fact, he might even have a slimmer chance of reaching the field. But it could be enough to let him hold off Tebow and stay on the roster for a third season.

@ZBerm