Eagles Rookies Getting In Their First Workout Today

Today is the first day of workouts for the Eagles rookies and you can bet that they’re eager to learn what is expected of them. The smart ones can’t wait to get in the playbook and learn their assignments.   Chip Kelly and his crew of coaches are anxious to see what the players look like on the field.  Sometimes big guys play small and sometimes little guys play big.

Kelly will be eager to see who picks up mental part of the game the quickest.  You can tell that he values smart players.  Many of the draft picks have played the quarterback position or they’re as smart as a quarterback about the game.  Lane Johnson played quarterback in high school, Zach Ertz went to the quarterback meetings at Stanford, Matt Barkley is considered a very bright quarterback.

I’ll be talking to these youngster at around 3;30pm and I’ll be checking what they’re saying and how they’re saying it.  Self-confidence and not be overcome by the challenge is a must when you step up to another level of competition.

Number one pick offensive tackle Lane Johnson is going to be thrown into the fire immediately as the starting right tackle position.  This weekend will be more mental work than physical work.  The rookie will get a look at the speed and quickness of professional defensive ends.

Second round pick tight end Zach Ertz will start learning how head coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur want to use him in their offense.  The multiple tight end look will likely be a staple of the Birds offense.  Tight ends can be good blockers in the running game, so you could see how the two and three tight end sets would be a perfect fit for the Eagles running the ball and then mixing in some play action passes.  Ertz will be a big target near the goalline.

I’m sure third round pick LSU’s Bennie Logan’s head will be spinning after seeing all of the alignments he will be playing this fall.  Logan is a big, physical defensive linemen, who can play nearly anywhere on the defensive line.  He could be lining up at the nose guard position, as well as defensive end in the 3-4 or defensive tackle in the 4-3.  He’s got a lot to learn.

All of the cameras will be surrounding USC quarterback Matt Barkley, when we talk to this group of rookies this afternoon.  He’s used to the spotlight, so the attention won’t faze him.  Kelly and company will be looking at his arm strength.  Can he make all of throws?  The youngster will be able to demonstrate his smarts by quickly grasping everything Kelly and Shurmur throw at him this weekend. He’ll get plenty of reps on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but he’ll have to stand and watch a great deal more next Monday when the veterans arrive.

Fifth round pick North Carolina State safety Eric Wolff wants to show he can make plays in this league.  The Eagles don’t have any “sure things” at the safety position, so there’s a chance Wolff can get on the field early.  This youngster could step in and play in his first year, if he shows he can do the job.

The first seventh round pick Utah defensive linemen Joe Kruger probably has a good idea what to expect this weekend because he’s got an older brother, Peter, who already plays in the NFL.  Still Kruger will be trying to impress the coaching staff as he learns all of the defensive fronts and blitzes.

The second seventh round pick Oregon State cornerback Jordan Poyer could be the Eagles best pick.  He was drafted much later than many expected, so there’s reason to expect him to compete for playing time and he’s coming to town with those expectations.  I could see him battling it out at the nickel back position with Brandon Boykin.

The final seventh round pick is another defensive linemen, Oklahoma defensive end David King.  Like all the other guys the Birds have brought in here on the defensive line, he’s big and versatile.

Former Eagles linebacker and third round draft pick Chris Gocong will be working out with the Birds this weekend.  He was released by the Cleveland Browns a year ago after tearing his Achilles tendon.