Chip confirms Barkley's starting in final preseason test

Matt Barkley will start Thursday in the Eagles' final preseason tuneup, at the Jets, Chip Kelly confirmed today. But Kelly said that doesn't necessarily mean Barkley has an advantage over Tim Tebow in the battle for the third quarterbacking spot.

Barkley and Tebow will split the QB duties, with Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez sitting, Kelly said.

Asked what he has seen from Barkley – who certainly seems to be the more consistent passer, from observing training camp practices and three preseason games – Kelly said: "I think Matt can make all the throws. It's just getting acclimated, decision-making, and he's done a really nice job with that. ... He's shown improvement every year."

Barkley had told reporters on Monday that he was starting.

"This offense is second nature to me now," said Barkley, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013. "I feel confident in where we are and what we can do."

Other tidbits from Kelly's final media session before the Jets game:

*Kelly said he doesn't know in which knee inside linebacker Kiko Alonso is experiencing tendinitis. Seems kinda important, in that Alonso's left ACL was rebuilt last year. At any rate, Kelly said Alonso didn't have problems with Monday's light practice and is practicing today. He missed two weeks with a concussion and has not played in the preseason.

*Kelly said no decision on the final roster move to get to 75 by 4 p.m. today will be made until after practice.

*He said Riley Cooper, sidelined yesterday with a groin tweak, will practice today.

*Kelly said the Eagles have more depth at running back than at any time in his tenure.

*Kelly said he has to evaluate injured 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith "on what's available," his tape from limited spring work, training camp and the one preseason game Smith played before pulling his right hamstring. Smith did not seem to be practicing Tuesday and is unlikely to play Thursday.

*Kelly said the Eagles went into the offseason feeling they had to correct problems in the secondary with vision and assignment discipline, and he thinks they have done that.

*Asked about undrafted rookie wideout Rasheed Bailey, from Roxborough High and Delaware Valley College, Kelly said Bailey "is not overwhelmed or overcome because he's playing in his hometown or playing for his favorite team growing up. I think he's really focused on what he has to do, and that's improve on a constant basis. Sometimes you worry about that, when you get a guy in that situation, 'Is he just going to press and try to do too many things?' I remarked in our first game, he was extremely calm, went out there and made plays against the Colts. I think that's very impressive. It's obviously a different situation than anybody else is in."