Eagles Notes: Kelly a fan of Sanchez

ORLANDO - Chip Kelly acknowledged the Eagles need help at backup quarterback, and it's looking increasingly as though Mark Sanchez will fill that role in 2014.

A source confirmed earlier this week that the Eagles are interested in Sanchez, pending a medical evaluation, and Kelly explained the appeal of Sanchez on Wednesday at the NFL meetings.

"I think Mark's a very, very good athlete," Kelly said. "He's started [62] games in this league. He's got great experience. There's a lot of positive qualities to him."

The quarterback arrived in Philadelphia Wednesday night. He is expected to be evaluated by the Eagles' medical staff on Thursday.

Sanchez would have the most experience of any quarterback on the Eagles roster. Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, and G.J. Kinne are the only quarterbacks under contract. The Eagles have committed to Foles as the starter, which is why Michael Vick sought an opportunity with the Jets. But Kelly did not sound as though he wanted to enter the summer with Barkley and Kinne as the top competitors for backup quarterback.

"Obviously, we lost Mike, and so we're always trying to look at that backup position behind Nick in terms of what we could do in free agency, who's available now, or through the draft," Kelly said. "It's a position of need for us. We played three quarterbacks last year. I don't think you can look at your roster and ever say, 'We're good at quarterback.' "

When quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor left to become the Dolphins' offensive coordinator, Bill Musgrave was the first coach Kelly wanted to interview. Musgrave was hired as quarterbacks coach in January, after serving as Vikings offensive coordinator.

"He's another guy that's extremely intelligent, but he's got a demeanor in terms of how he gets his point across," Kelly said, addressing the Musgrave hire for the first time. "He has a ton of experience not only as a coach, but as a player."

Kelly first met Musgrave when Musgrave scouted quarterbacks at Oregon. Kelly has been impressed with him ever since. Musgrave will be important in the development of Nick Foles.

"That's the guy who's with those guys every single day, in the meeting room," Kelly said. "Understanding Nick, and understanding Matt, and understanding G.J., and meeting Bill, I think it's going to be a great fit."

The NFL approved five rule changes on Wednesday: Goal-post uprights will be extended from 30 feet to 35 feet; blockers will not be allowed to roll into the back or side of a player's leg; referees can consult with the NFL's officiating department in New York during reviews; the list of reviewable plays will include loose balls in the field of play; and the clock will no longer be stopped on a sack.

In addition, the league will experiment with extra points from the 20-yard line during two weeks in the preseason. Officials will also emphasize on-field conduct and sportsmanship.