Wentz was showing his sauce even before camp

PHILADELPHIA >> There’s nothing like a barbecue at Carson Wentz’s South Jersey spread to make the offensive linemen feel wanted.

Ditto a training session in Houston to develop trust with the receivers.

It’s early, but Wentz is pushing the right buttons with his Eagles teammates to get ready for a season with lofty expectations. And he’s doing it to win games, not friends, per veteran teammates.

“He’s organized a lot of stuff for the receivers,” offensive tackle Lane Johnson said. “He’s organized a couple of barbecues for the O-linemen. He feeds us. That’s been pretty nice. I think he took a good initiative in the offseason to have guys down there to Houston to train with him, so whenever training camp starts, they already have a rhythm. I’m seeing that. And I just hope he invites me over for some more steak dinners.”

More than any of that, Wentz is leading by example. You can’t find a guy in the locker room who hasn’t marveled at his work ethic. When you include the treatments, the film study and practices, no Eagles player – not even players rehabbing injuries – puts more time into the job than Wentz.

“He works his ass off,” Johnson said. “He doesn’t spend any time really doing anything else. Every time I come into the building he’s always working. He’s doing prehab, he’s doing rehab, he’s doing stuff to get his body right, his nutrition right. That’s really what I see. I think he’s drowned out a lot of distractions. I don’t think he cares what people say about him. I think he just works. I feel like he’s more confident. The offense is going good, guys are confident in the huddle, we have an initiative to start fast. We didn’t really do it last year, the first few games. And that’s really been our prerogative, to start fast.”

Wentz even has a sense of humor, according to sources. Why he’s fearful of showing it in public is the great puzzle.

During a stint on Sirius NFL Radio Tuesday, Wentz gave a witty answer without knowing it. Sirius cohost Bruce Murray said that Drew Brees, who completed 74.4 percent of his passes last year, told him, “I think there’s a completion to be made on every play.”

Asked how he felt about that statement, Wentz said, “It’s accurate. I mean, it’s accurate.” Touché. If Wentz really wanted to crack his teammates up he could grill some of the uh, wildlife he harvests on hunting trips. The visual made Johnson laugh.

“I think it was all store-bought,” Johnson said of the cuisine.

••• NOTES >> Wide receiver Mack Hollins (leg) was at practice but didn’t participate in the team activities . ... Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (foot), guard Brandon Brooks (Achilles’ tendon), cornerback Ronald Darby (knee), linebacker Nigel Bradham (hand) and running back Corey Clement all were limited . ... Doug Pederson gave the players a 10-minute break between drills. Never seen anything like that even though the temp was 94 degrees. … Defensive end Joe Ostman was outstanding rushing the passer. It’s early but Ostman owns offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, the Australian rugby convert. … Sydney Jones intercepted Wentz in 7 on 7s, which should never happen no matter who Wentz is throwing to. … For the first time at training camp, the Eagles lined up in 11 personnel, as opposed to 12 personnel with tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. The 11 grouping was composed of receivers DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, and running back Darren Sproles. … The Eagles have a light practice Wednesday but are slated for a marathon 2-hour, 40-minute get together Thursday. The forecast Wednesday is 90 degrees while Thursday is 87 with afternoon thunderstorms.