Suddenly, Kelce is Front and Center
BETHLEHEM --- Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg outlined the battle at center pretty starkly.
Suddenly, Kelce is Front and Center
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM --- Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg outlined the battle at center pretty starkly.
Minutes earlier, head coach Andy Reid had taken care to mention just about every possibility this side of unretiring Bubba Miller, when asked about the fact that sixth-round rookie Jason Kelce from Cincinnati is taking a lot of reps with the first team.
But Mornhinweg cut to the chase.
"I think Kelce's a fine football player. He's in the mdidle of a learning curve. So he's good a lot of hard work and preparation (ahead). Jamaal (Jackson)'s got an awful lot of experiece. He's coming off two major injuries (ACL and triceps) the last couple of years."
Morhinweg said he is "not leery at all" of Jackson's recent injury history, but added: "There's some good competition going on there, two different styles, two different types of player. One with experience, one very young."
"Kelce is an athletic, tough, mean type of player who's really bright," Mornhinweg said. "Jamaal really smart, excellent pass protector, great amount of experience, strong player. Both are very, very good."
This battle -- which wasn't supposed to be a battle coming into camp, Reid said Jackson was his starting center -- highlights the change in offensive line coaches from Juan Castillo to Howard Mudd. Jackson, who took the starting job from Hank Fraley in 2005, is a Castillo prototype -- 6-4, 325, powerful. Kelce, listed a little generously at 6-3, 282, a quicker, more athletic Mud prototype.
A lot has to happen; the preseason doesn't even start until Thursday. But already we can say Mike McGlynn, who inherited the starting job last year when Jackson went down in the opener, does not seem to be in the mix. Good luck finding A.Q. Shipley or Dallas Reynolds, whose names Reid recited, playing center in front of Mike Vick. It's Kelce and Jackson, and it seems to be more Kelce, right now.
"Very unexpected to be taking reps with the first team, and everything I've been doing," Kelce said after a muggy, sluggish morning practice on sodden Lehigh fields. "I'm just kind of taking it day by day."
Would the Eagles start a rookie at center? Remember, one of the things Mudd has changed is that the quarterback makes the line audibles, not the center, as has been the case in the past.
"I think I got to a great situation here in Philadelphia," said Kelce, who touted the help he has gotten from Jackson and McGlynn. (Jackson, though, declined to speak with reporters following practice.)
Other AM notes:
*These are the days when you notice Jason Avant, who never lets the work ethic drag. Two magnificent catches today, one better than the other, both leaping, diving grabs past corners who thought they had him covered. Andy Reid lauded Avant as the best slot receiver in the league.
*Reid extolled Vince Young's competitiveness, on a day when the former Titans QB seemed to be fighting the ball, and maybe the offense.
*Reid's plan for DeSean Jackson, expected to report tomorrow: "We'll see when he gets here."
*Nnamdi Asomugha sat out practice with what Reid said was minor "upper leg inflammation." Trent Cole sat with bursitis, Sinorice Moss with a groin, Anthony Hargrove left with cramps. Isaiah Trufant suffered a dislocated finger.
*Reid said there was nothing new to report on Mike Patterson, or on Jeremy Maclin. Maclin again watched practice.
Guys this day 3 for VY learning a new system give him time to learn.— Just Wait- The Maclin situation is driving me crazy. They're waiting on tests? Who are these people doing the tests? Why is it taking so long? It's ridiculous that Maclin is just watching. It would be nice if sportswriters actually did some investigative work. Real journalists investigate.— soulman386
Comment removed.- Actually soulman it would nice if sportswriters did some writing on sports activities of the team, not so much on speculations and tabloid nonsense. They have a good young center and is trying to give him some action. If Kelce replaces him, that's how it's done in the NFL. Maclin isn't ready to go yet but he's at camp so he's getting there. In the menatime they have more young recievers waiting in line.— dapmman
- We have pretty strong HIPPA laws in this country. It could be that keeping Maclin's illness a secret . Or is could be the Eagle's omerta code.— johnny eagle
- In other news....phily.com hires an editor who can read and edit...Mudd's name has 2d's and Morhinweg's quote about Jackson is missing a verb...edit before you hit send hack— Rocky 5O
- Comment removed.
- All the talk 2 years ago when the Cowboys beat the Eagles twice was because Jackson was not playing center. Now we have a rookie coming in looking like he's going to take his job. I never bought the excuse that he was that valuabe to the offensive line.— watsonmr
- Didn't Pouncey go to the Pro Bowl his first year at Center with the Steelers? I'm not suggesting Kelce can do that but maybe he can start and stay healthy which is something Jackson hasn't been able to do the last 2 years.— The Marco Islander
- Ill take a mean 282 over a polite 325. Hey Winston - looking forward to your weekly column. You'll have plenty of time to write this year. Left to right: Peters/Big-Todd/Kelce/Watson/Harris— dragoon6
- Just imagine if they had taken pouncey last year plus Watkins, O-line would have been monsters— xlGmanlx
- Watson of course being Watkins' younger, meaner brother— dragoon6
- Maclin's illness is a private matter and if he chooses not to disclose it, it is his right and it should be respected.— eagles41n.net
- I don't think Kelce will start if Jackson is fully healthy, but it's good to know he could start. Of course there's always the possibility of playing Jackson at guard and moving Herremans to RT, but Harris seems to have another idea.— armchairGM
- Vince young was a one hit wonder in college and a fraud as a pro. The Eagles signed him why...? He's never going to learn this system.— mike 1717
- I'm worried about Maclin,hope he's ok! It's good to see another guy can come in and play center if needed.We all saw how important that is.— Geno D
- Vince Young will be a surprise cut before the first game is played...— hasanmahmd
