Training Camp Begins For The Eagles
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Training camp is underway for the Eagles, South Philly style.
Rookies and selected veterans arrived at the team's Novacare complex on Monday to kickoff Training Camp 2013. After 17 years at Lehigh, the Eagles are holding camp at their South Philadelphia practice facility. Center Jason Kelce enjoyed his Lehigh experience but is also looking forward to this year's camp.
"I really liked Lehigh," said Kelce. "I liked the fans being out there. Every single day, you were almost playing a miniature game. We were doing blocking drills right next to guys that were five feet away. But the facilities the organization has put together here along with the new coaches puts us in a great situation at the Novacare facilities."
One of the most anticipated battles in camp will be for the starting quarterback job. Michael Vick stated after the team's mini-camp in June that he hoped the team would name a starter before the start of training camp. However, General Manager Howie Roseman said Vick told him during the off-season he would welcome the competition.
"He's all for it," Roseman said. "He wants the best players to play and he's not shying away from the competition. He knew that when we signed him, there would be competition at every spot."
Nick Foles is also ready for the quarterback competition. He says all of the quarterbacks will support each other, but that hasn't curbed his desire to win the starting job.
"I respect the players around me," said Foles. "But at the end of the day, I'm not here to be a backup. I'm here to be the guy. I don't think we play this game to sit on the bench."
There will be several new faces on the roster who are expected to make an immediate impact. One of those players is offensive tackle Lane Johnson. The first-round pick is competing for the starting right tackle job and he says he understands the expectations that go with being selected in the first round.
"All I can focus on is just what I'm doing right now," Johnson said. "I can't control everybody's expectations. I've got pretty high expectations of my own."
The first workout with the rookies and selected veterans will take place Tuesday afternoon.
