For some, much to play for

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Brodrick Bunkley seemed almost an afterthought when Jim Johnson spoke over the weekend of what he wants to see, what he needs to be reassured about, in tonight's Eagles preseason opener at Baltimore.

"You'd like to find out, first of all, how the rookies are doing and the guys you brought in, and see how they're going to react in a certain situation without the coaches around. That's the sort of thing we always look for," the Eagles' defensive coordinator said. "Guys like [second-round rookie defensive end] Victor [Abiamiri], and [fifth-round rookie safety] C.J. Gaddis, and [undrafted rookie corner] Nick Graham - the rookies . . . I think we all want to see how [new strongside starter] Chris Gocong's going to do in a situation. First time he's really had a chance since he's been here, being in a football game, without the coaches around. So, he's going to play a little more than the other guys. And, we're going to see Bunkley's progression, no question about it. He's doing a great job in camp. But I think, still, it's mainly how the rookies react. You're always trying to find that extra corner or extra safety."

Later, Johnson talked about giving Gocong lots of extra reps in the preseason, to make sure the 2006 third-round draftee, who missed his rookie season with a neck injury, is up to speed by the opener. Asked if he envisioned something similar for Bunkley, who rarely got on the field after the first month of the 2006 season, Johnson said he didn't. Bunkley apparently will get the reps a normal starting defensive tackle would get in the preseason.

Now, Johnson didn't exactly just nominate Bunkley for the Pro Bowl, or anything, but if you've been paying attention to the saga of the defensive tackle the Eagles drafted 14th overall in 2006, this is a milepost of some sort. The Eagles' season ended 7 months ago today, and right then it wasn't clear that Johnson even had faith in Bunkley's ability to pack up his own locker and head for home. When this camp began, one defensive veteran said he thought Bunkley could have helped the team last season, had the coaching staff been willing to use him. We'll never know.

But the Bunkley who broke camp yesterday at Lehigh looks and sounds like a different player - he has lost 30 pounds, even the shape of his face is different. At Lehigh, he has been the kind of force the Birds envisioned when they drafted him with their highest selection since they took Corey Simon sixth overall in 2000.

"I feel I have a whole lot to prove to the coaching staff, coach [Andy] Reid and all the fans," Bunkley said over the weekend. "It's going to be a big first couple of snaps in that Baltimore game . . . [Johnson] probably doesn't want to put the pressure on me, but I know it's there and I'm going to use it to do my best out there."

It isn't just Bunkley's physical transformation that has been reassuring.

"In inside drills, things like that, I'm doing what the defense asks me to do, I'm in the right spot," Bunkley said. "Last year I used to get out of my gap, try to freestyle a little bit. That didn't really work out to my advantage. Things are going good now; I'm learning how to be responsible, take care of my responsibilities on the field, and he's taking [notice] of that."

As Bunkley spoke, the Birds were a little more than 2 weeks into camp. As a rookie, he missed the first 2 weeks while his contract was being ironed out.

"It kind of put me in the doghouse a little early, something I didn't want to be in, but unfortunately I kind of got in there and didn't get out of it," Bunkley said. "Coming in last year, I didn't really know what to expect, my first training camp . . . I can recognize blocks now when the offensive linemen come off the ball. That's the biggest thing that's changed with me this year, working with Pete Jenkins, who's a great coach. I look forward to showcasing some of that in this preseason game . . . We work every day on getting blockers' hands off you."

Yesterday, Reid reiterated what Johnson said about wanting to get a read on youngsters in their first game action. As expected, Reid said quarterback Donovan McNabb would not play tonight, as McNabb recovers from right ACL surgery. McNabb seems likely to play at least briefly when the Eagles host Carolina on Friday. Reid said his starters, with A.J. Feeley in place of McNabb, should play about a quarter tonight.

Second-round rookie quarterback Kevin Kolb is scheduled to see his first action, and will play a half, Reid said.

"I feel like it's going to be a relief," Kolb said. "All the steps I've been through, all the stairs I've climbed to get here, to get back out there and play football, get in a groove with the team, instead of chopping up the reps like we have to in practice, you can get that feel back, and that's what a quarterback has to have. Hopefully, that'll happen and we'll be able to move down the field."

Kolb said he thought it would be important to "let the offense come to me, don't force things."

Abiamiri, the other second-round pick, from Notre Dame, grew up in the Baltimore suburb of Randallstown as a Ravens fan. His brother Rob was a Ravens practice squad tight end last season. Abiamiri has shown impressive strength and will get a look in the "joker" position, Johnson said, allowing him to play a little like a blitzing linebacker.

Abiamiri noted that, "I'm playing in front of a bunch of family and friends . . . It's kind of ironic, how things worked out."

Reid announced that second-year wideout Jason Avant will be the third receiver, ahead of Hank Baskett or Greg Lewis. Avant, who had just seven catches as a rookie, has stood out in camp.

"Avant, this preseason will be key for him," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He didn't get as much playing time as Hank did in the regular season last year. We'll see if his great feel and instincts show off in these preseason games."

Excluding punter Dirk Johnson, Gocong goes into tonight as the starter most on the bubble. He has been just fine in a controlled atmosphere, but as Jim Johnson noted, the coaches never have seen Gocong in a situation where they couldn't talk to him between snaps. They really want to see him play. And play. And play.

"I'm thinking I'll be in there at least three quarters," Gocong said.

Scott Young apparently will start at right guard in the absence of Shawn Andrews (ankle). Young returned to practice Saturday, a day after leaving with a knee sprain. "It's a minor knee injury and I'm just pushing through it. It's a great opportunity I have and I want to make the best of it," Young said. "I think I'm ready to play . . . It's just very minor" . . . In addition to Donovan McNabb, defensive tackles Ian Scott and Montae Reagor (knee), safety Brian Dawkins (Achilles'), cornerback Dustin Fox (Achilles'), linebacker Dedrick Roper (foot), wide receiver Bill Sampy (quad), cornerback Lito Sheppard (oblique) and tight end L.J. Smith (groin) will not play. *

apparently will start at right guard in the absence of (ankle). Young returned to practice Saturday, a day after leaving with a knee sprain. "It's a minor knee injury and I'm just pushing through it. It's a great opportunity I have and I want to make the best of it," Young said. "I think I'm ready to play . . . It's just very minor" . . . In addition to , defensive tackles and (knee), safety (Achilles'), cornerback (Achilles'), linebacker (foot), wide receiver (quad), cornerback (oblique) and tight end (groin) will not play. *