Three things to watch on Thursday

Let's get it started

One consensus quickly emerging as the Eagles' veterans arrived at training camp is the sense of focus the team has coming off last season's dreadful 8-8 season.

"You have to always have the mindset that you're fighting an uphill battle," said defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins. 'You need to think that way. Now we have to go out and fight for it. I'd rather fly under the radar and go unnoticed and then go out and make some noise."

With a new lucrative deal and heading into his fourth season, LeSean McCoy knows what's needed from him. "This offseason, I was talking to Mike [Vick] and he wants me to be a leader," McCoy said. "And I'm ready. Coach Reid and the coaching staff have confidence in me, so it's time to step up."

The veterans may be ready to play the games, however that doesn't mean they're eager for Reid's intense training camp. "I'm anxious to get the work in and to get the season started. I'm not anxious for training camp," laughed 10-year vet Nnamdi Asomugha. "But this is where you get the work in for the season."

The new kid in town

The first full team practice of training camp (which is closed to the public) is Thursday at 3:30 p.m., and by Saturday Reid said the team will be live tackling. That's not what seven-year vet and new acquisition DeMeco Ryans experienced in Houston.

"We didn't have full scrimmaging and tackling as early as the Eagles do," said the two-time Pro Bowler, "but there's more than one way to make a team better. I'm pretty sure Coach Reid knows how to get it done."

Ryans is eager to get started. "I tell people all the time that I'm happy to be an Eagle. It's a good team, a good fit, so I'm looking to come in and do my part."

How to handle the heat

Among the items arriving with the veterans were hyperbaric chambers brought by Jason Babin and Trent Cole. Fellow defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins got a laugh out of the luggage and said he had his own plans to handle the heat in the coming days.

"I just have ice cream and air conditioning," Jenkins said. "Shoot, I've been in the league nine years so I must be doing something right."

With temperatures expected to be in the upper 90s Thursday, Jenkins' plan sounds pretty good.