Three things to watch at training camp
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Three things to watch at training camp
The Eagles QB of the future?
Coach Andy Reid has drafted six quarterbacks during the course of his 14 NFL drafts and half of them have become NFL starters, namely Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and A.J. Feeley.
Two more looking for their first start will be standing together in the backfield this training camp, learning from Michael Vick. Mike Kafka, a 2010 fourth-round pick, and rookie Nick Foles, a 6-foot-6, 243-pound rookie taken in 2012's third round. (2004 sixth-round pick Andy Hall also never started a game.)
The early days of training camp will be the best chance for Foles to distinguish himself.
A three-year starter, Foles finished as Arizona's all-time leading passer in yards (10,011), touchdowns (67), attempts (1,369) and completions (933) and set single-season records with 28 touchdowns and 4,334 yards in his senior year.
During previous OTAs, the coaches worked on improving Foles' footwork since he operated out of a spread offense with the Wildcats.
Foles doesn't have to look far to gain inspiration from a quarterback who racked up big yards playing in a spread offense in college: Foles attended the same Westlake, Texas, high school as New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees.
Sleepers, past and present
It's not unusual for an Eagles rookie to out-play his draft position and become a standout. During the Andy Reid era, Brent Celek, Trent Cole, Jamaal Jackson, and Quintin Mikell were either fifth-round picks or lower or undrafted free agents who became NFL starters.
And in the 1980s, some of the team's biggest stars fell into the same category, including Seth Joyner (8th round 1986), Clyde Simmons (9th round, 1986), and Andre Waters (UFA, 1984).
The Eagles landed an undrafted free agent this year worth following in Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris. The 5-10, 180-pound Harris led the NCAA with 23 passes defensed in 2010, when Oregon lost to Auburn, 22-19, in the BCS national championship game. That year, he also was a consensus All-American returner, taking four punts back for touchdowns, and was considered a possible first-round pick prior to the 2011 season.
However, Harris was thrown off the Oregon team midway through the 2011 season due to discipline issues, and his draft status plummeted. If the coaching staff can harness Harris' approach, his speed and big-play ability could pay off.
Line 'em up
Don't be surprised to see yet another rookie starting at linebacker when the season begins. Second-round pick Mychal Kendricks, from California, worked with the first-team defense during earlier OTAs and figures to retain the strongside linebacker spot.
The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is short at 5-11, 239 pounds, but he had the fastest 40 time at the NFL Combine. Considering the Eagles started rookies Casey Matthews and Brian Rolle last season, it'd be no shock to see Kendricks from the start.
Interesting article to start the Eagles training. Vick needs a good back-up because od potential injury. Huddell— Huddell- Poll results really reflect the age of your readers...— Groty
- I completely agree. Not to take anything away from Trent Cole who was a great pick up in the fifth round and is still an underrated player, but the 1986 draft with Seth Joyner in the eighth round and Clyde Simmons in the ninth, come on people, they're in the Hall of Fame. — BeFrank
- Kevin Kolb and A.J. Feeley were starters because of injury. Take it easy!! Its not like Reid turned them into Joe Montana.— Geno D
- Nobody said they were hall of famers, just starters and the article also did not limit the starting position to the Eagles... btw, Kolb was the Starter to begin the season for the Eagles in 2010 and then lost the position due to an injury and Vick's unexpected play. He is now the starter in Arizona. We traded AJ Feely to Miami where he was given the starting job. Yes, it was Miami. Yes they were awful. No, it didn't take long for him to lose the starting job. — BeFrank
- Let's also remember that Miami and Arizona had/have terrible offensive lines. If the Eagles had a desent O-Line when Kobb got the starting job, he might still be here. — Craig321
- Seth Joyner and Clyde Simmons were two of the best defensive team Eagles to ever paly in Philly, your right "Groty" if you didn't see these guys play you wouldn't vote for them. I love Trent Cole, but Seth and Clyde were great players who helped form the best Eagles defense of all time !!!— Delaware Doc
- so we are young so what? doesnt change that we are eagles fans just because we didnt get to see these guys play. i was like 5 or 6 then i didnt know the players i just watched with my dad.— defroe
- Hey defroe, no one is criticizing you for being young, it's just that I had the privilege to see both Simmons play and Cole, as I stated, I love Cole but Simmons was a beast plus he had Reggie White on the other side which gave him the opportunity to make the sacks he did, while Reggie was being doubled and tripled teamed in the offensive blocking schemes, still Simmons had to make the play and he usually did. He still has the Eagles record for most sacks in a season. Also, Joyner is one of the best all time Eagles linebackers !!!— Delaware Doc
- Clyde played next to Jerome Brown, it was a basic pick your poison. Jerome Brown was a hell raising Defensive Tackle, the best the Eagles had in the last 20 years. That's why he's still celebrated. There has been nothing like Jerome since, or for that matter before his arrival.
This theory about Kolb doesn't hold water, Kolb isn't much now out in Arizona, he's been out played by his under study there. Kolb doesn't have the heart or arm for the NFL.
Kolb has the heart of the Easter Bunny and a arm of Cotton Candy. No way the Eagles win 10 games in 2009 and make it to the playoffs with Kolb behind center for the Eagles, or Arizona this year.
— Dexter 
Love this short article. To this day am a HUGE fan of Clyde Simmons and Seth Joyner. Joyner especially was fun to watch as year after year he continued to improve to become a force to be reckoned with.- Best Eagles D ever.
Clyde Simmons DE,
Reggie White DE,
Andy Harmon DE,
Seth Joyner LB,
Mike Pitts DT ,
Mike Golic DT,
William Thomas LB,
Eric Allen CB,
Byron Evans LB,
Wes Hopkins S ,
Andre Waters S
— drenner - Oh...and Jeff Fisher running the Old 46— drenner
