Eagles to bond in July in San Diego

Sam Bradford hosted Zach Ertz and Jordan Matthews at his Oklahoma home in March for a football version of spring break, and now the three of them plan to join other teammates for summer vacation in San Diego during the week of July 4.

Vacation is a relative term in this case. It will be summer workouts and off-field bonding with quarterbacks and skill position players. It's similar to what a group of Eagles did last summer, but the group includes all three quarterbacks this year, with Bradford, rookie Carson Wentz, and backup Chase Daniel participating.

"I think it's great," Bradford said. "When I was in St. Louis, I got together with the wide receivers and tight ends. As good as it is to get on the field and throw routes and work out together, I think it's even better anytime you can spend time away from the facility. Just getting together, spending a few days together over the six weeks, not all going our own ways for the whole time. I think that's the best part about getting together."

Bradford could not join his teammates last season because he needed to remain in Philadelphia to rehabilitate his knee. In his first healthy offseason since 2013, Bradford has more time to spend.

San Diego was chosen because a few key players already train there. Ertz, Daniel, Darren Sproles, and Ryan Mathews are among players in the area, making it more convenient for others to join. Ertz said most of the skill position players will attend.

"It's an easy spot to go," Ertz said. "It's also San Diego, so you can't really go wrong."

Some of the players train with Todd Durkin, a noted trainer who has long worked with Sproles and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. Daniel swears by Durkin, whom Ertz has credited for improving his body.

Sproles said the summer training session allows the players to get on the "same page" before training camp. Ertz said it can give him insight into what Bradford and Wentz see and like to do. For Matthews, there's a trust that can develop by building out-of-facility relationships and spending the July 4 holiday together.

"There's not going to be some groundbreaking fade that you throw to win the Super Bowl in San Diego," Matthews said. "It's all about building relationships. If you can have the guys closer, then when you go out and play there's more responsibilities to take care of your job. If I know Sam is not just my quarterback, he's one of my good friends, and he says, 'I need you to get 12 yards because the linebacker is dropping to 10' . . . I'm not cutting it off at 10."

The relationships are especially important for Wentz. He first entered the locker room in May, and he still does not know his teammates at the level of the returning players. Considering Wentz's place in the franchise's future - and the likelihood that players such as Ertz and Matthews will grow with him - it's a positive sign that he is making the trip.

"I think I'll be there probably a week," Wentz said. "Just develop a rapport. Develop a time not only on the field and doing some routes but be around the guys some more. Hang out. Spend time with them. Get to know them on another level."

The summer training sessions are not a new concept. Donovan McNabb used to host teammates at his home in Arizona during the summer. Mark Sanchez did the same with Jets teammates in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Coach Doug Pederson said he encourages players to get together if they live close to one another. It was not something he did as a player spending his offseason in Louisiana, but he likes that the team leaders are spending the time and doing it on their own.

"That is what wins games, what wins championships. A bunch of guys working together," Matthews said. "But you can't just come [to the team facility] to build it. You need to do it outside, too."

zberman@phillynews.com

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