2 Eagles stump for forgiveness after off-field missteps
Eagles veterans report to camp along with issues and better attitudes
PHILADELPHIA >> How different is Doug Pederson’s first training camp from Chip Kelly’s third as an Eagles’ head coach? One look at the smiling face of quarterback Sam Bradford offered a clue.
“It’s different from what we were doing last year, no doubt,” Bradford said as he really kicked into his second Eagles season Thursday. “And as an offense, I think we have a long ways to go. But I think we had a really good spring and continue to build on what we were able to do in OTAs. I think we have a chance to be a good offense this year.”
Bradford talked some about the advantages of being able to run an offense without needing to be so hurried about it.
“For the guys here last year, I think it’s different from what we’re used to doing,” Bradford said. “But the advantage of being in the huddle is you can communicate a little more. Especially with me as the quarterback, I get the play call, I can emphasize things and give guys a heads up on what to look for. And also, you hope to get into the right framework, so that we don’t have as many wasted plays and try to eliminate some of the negative plays we had last year maybe due to going fast.”
As for new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, the system under Pederson, which isn’t so unlike the really old system under Andy Reid, is a success waiting to happen.
“This West Coast hybrid system obviously has a very long, winning track record, but how it’s adapted in the run game, now with some of the zone-read stuff and all the different ways you can scheme wide receiver throws when you get a heavy box, I think that’s what Doug did really well in Kansas City,” said Reich, the offensive coordinator in San Diego the past few seasons. “Of course, I went up against it six times in three years playing against that team, so I saw it first-hand. It’s fun now to be on the other side of that.”
*** Linebacker Nigel Bradham said he had a sit-down with Pederson about the assault charge he was slapped with last week in Miami Beach.
“I just pretty much told him what happened,” said Bradham, who said he expects to be cleared of all charges after a confrontation with a hotel worker. “I can’t really put it out in public yet because it’s still an ongoing investigation. But we had a heartto-heart conversation about everything and we’re pretty much on the same page about what things I need to do. Also, I apologized for being a distraction to the team and things like that.”
Asked about the pitfalls of being a public figure, and essentially being in the spotlight and ripe for any public embarrassing situation, Bradham added, “I’ve been in the starlight my whole life, and with a lot of pressure and a lot of eyes on me. It’s pretty much one of them things where you have to stay focused, and try to keep all the distractions away from you.”
*** Veteran lineman Jason Peters, at 34, says he doesn’t much care that there’s a new set of offensive bosses in town.
“From Chip (Kelly) to Doug (Pederson), I can adjust to any offense,” Peters said. “I’ve seen it from Howard Mudd to (current line coach Jeff Stoutland), to Juan (Castillo), they all teach different schemes and techniques. It really don’t matter. But I’m happy to have the Andy Reid era back, which is Doug, and I’m ready to go.”