Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles worked out Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson today at an undisclosed location, an NFL source said.
While the Eagles have been bringing in most of the top-rated prospects to the NovaCare Complex for visits, Johnson is getting a late-in-the-process workout from the team. He is considered the third best tackle in the draft, according to many analysts -- behind Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher -- but he could fit into Chip Kelly's scheme more than the other two.
Johnson ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.72 seconds) for an offensive lineman at the NFL combine in February. He also had the best vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. At 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds, Johnson could be the type of athletic lineman Kelly envisions in his up-tempo offense.
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Chip Kelly's first game on the Eagles sideline will come against Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a friend of Kelly's. The Eagles and Patriots will open the preseason against each other at Lincoln Financial Field between Aug. 8-11.
The Eagles' second preseason game will be against the Carolina Panthers between August 15-19. That is the final home game of the preseason.
They visit the Jacksonville Jaguars between Aug. 22-25. That is a meeting against Jaguars coach Gus Bradley, a finalist for the Eagles job.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles continued to schedule visits with most of the top-rated draft prospects and are slated to bring cornerback Dee Milliner, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and quarterback E.J. Manuel in for a last look-see next week, according to NFL sources.
Quarterback Geno Smith and defensive end Ziggy Ansah were at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. Outside linebacker Dion Jordan and tackle Eric Fisher were scheduled to meet with the Eagles on Thursday. And defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd was set to visit the team on Friday, per sources.
Tackle Luke Joeckel is being brought in next week, as well. The Texas A&M product is arguably the No. 1 tackle in the draft. Fisher is a close second and could be ranked ahead of Joeckel on some draft boards. Tackle Lane Johnson of Oklahoma is also in the mix, although the Eagles have yet to schedule a meeting with him, according to a league source.
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Nnamdi Asomugha's two years in Philadelphia were an unquestioned disappointment, and the Eagles released the former high-priced free agent last month even though they're on the hook to pay him $4 million. Asomugha signed with the 49ers, where he has a chance to resurrect his career in the Bay Area.
There are legitimate questions about whether Asomugha will ever be the type of player he was with the Raiders, when his production and reputation as one of the NFL's finest cornerback prompted the Eagles to offer a five-year, $60 million contract.
Asomugha's new deal, however, comes with no guaranteed money, meaning he will need to prove his worth by earning incentives included in the deal.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles are hosting West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith on Wednesday and are scheduled to bring Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan in for a visit later in the day, according to NFL sources.
Smith, arguably the top-rated quarterback prospect in this year's draft, worked out for the Eagles last month in Morgantown. The team is likely using one of its 30 allotted visits to give the quarterback a physical. The same likely pertains to Jordan, who played under coach Chip Kelly in college.
Kelly said last month during the NFL owners meetings that he wouldn't have to bring Jordan in for a work out, but that the team may want to check out how his shoulder injury was coming along. Jordan had surgery to repair a torn labrum in February.
- Poll: Can Nick Foles fit into Chip Kelly’s offense? (3073 votes)
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
It's common for players to emphasize their excitement when a new coach arrives -- it would be foolish for them to say otherwise -- but DeSean Jackson is one who could especially benefit from the hiring of Chip Kelly. Kelly wants speed and versatility on offense. That's what to expect from Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler who finished last season on injured reserve and has not record a 1,000-yard season since 2010.
“I feel the sky’s the limit for myself," Jackson said Wednesday. "I think this year, with Chip coming in with the style of play of his offense, it’s really going to help me out a lot more as well. I’m going to be able to get certain looks, get the ball in my hand, do things I wasn’t doing the past five years. So that’s going to be an exciting time ofr myself. I’m going to have to be fully prepared, fully in shape, fully healthy.”
Jackson recovered from his fractured ribs during the first two months of the offseason and was not fully healthy until March. He maintained his conditioning, although he's now able to lift weights and will be a full participant in the offseason program.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Inquirer's Jeff McLane and CineSport's Noah Coslov discuss Geno Smith's visit to the Eagles and what it means for Nick Foles, in addition to Jason Peters and NFL Draft prospects.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles worked out 20 local college prospects on Tuesday, including Syracuse offensive lineman and Council Rock South Rock product Justin Pugh.
Pugh is projected by some draft analysts to be selected in the second round later this month. The 6-foot-4, 304-pound prospect played tackle in college but is being scouted by many teams to play guard in the NFL.
Pugh's Syracuse teammate, Ryan Nassib, was not among the invited. The quarterback from Malvern Prep is expected to be drafted in the earlier rounds later this month. The Eagles met with Nassib at the Senior Bowl. Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, a Philadelphia native, was also not in attendance, but the Birds are scheduled to work the top-rated defensive tackle out on Friday.
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
It's believed that Brandon Graham will be an outside linebacker in the Eagles' new defense. Graham, though, wouldn't confirm that will happen.
"I don't know. There's been a lot of talk about a lot of things," Graham said Tuesday. "I don't know where they want to put me at. All I know is whereever they put me, I'll go full out."
Still, it sounds like he'll be an outside linebacker. He's 270 pounds right now and is cutting his weight to 260. He has played defensive end since arriving at Michigan, but was a middle linebacker before he went to college and believes he has the skills to rush from a stand-up position and potentially drop into coverage.
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Monday is more than opening day for the Phillies. In a certain way, it could also be considered an opening day for the Eagles, too.
Since Chip Kelly was hired, he has been ambiguous and evasive when asked about plans pertaining to specific players because he has not yet had the chance to work with them, or even talk football with them. Conversations have been limited to get-to-know-you discussion -- where do you live, how's your family, etc. -- but nothing about actual Xs and Os, per the collective bargaining agreeement.
Kelly did not complain about the rule, but it has limited all his evaluation to film.
