Ready or not, Eagles' Watkins prepping for start

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Danny Watkins was asked Monday about the pressure he feels making the transition from obscure college offensive lineman to first-round pick and rookie NFL starter.

Instead of talking about it, all he had to do was look at all the people waiting for his answer.

I mean, right now, theres 40 cameras in my face, Watkins said with a chuckle. Its definitely overwhelming, thats for sure, compared to what I was doing before this. I was just a regular working guy, and now Ive got microphones stuffed in my face and everything, so its an adjustment, thats for sure.

Its hard to keep everything going. Youve got to stay on top of all your stuff with football, youve got to try and have a life outside of this, but its difficult even to do that. So its just a time management thing, and you really have to make the best of everything.

Watkins spoke at his locker on Monday, six days before hell make his NFL debut in St. Louis.

Ready or not.

The Eagles handed Watkins the starting right guard job as soon as they selected him with the 23rd pick in April, and despite a shaky preseason, despite the recent acquisition of a right guard whos started a Super Bowl, despite everything, Watkins will make his first NFL start on Sunday, when the Eagles open their 79th season against the Rams.

Watkins will become the ninth rookie to start a season opener under Andy Reid and the fourth offensive lineman, the first since Shawn Andrews in 2004.

Each week its been getting a little bit better, Watkins said. This week, I feel like Im going to be a lot more prepared. Longer week (and) I was able to come in on the days off and watch some film. The preparation and the work weve already put in, it started a little bit last week, and Im already feeling better about it.

The Eagles are concerned enough about Watkins that Reid went against convention Thursday night and had him play the first quarter of the preseason finale against the Jets. Then over the weekend they claimed Kyle DeVan, who two years ago started for the Colts -- for position coach Howard Mudd -- in their Super Bowl loss to the Saints.

But Watkins said he doesnt see DeVan as a threat to his job. On the contrary, he looks at him as another guy who can help him become a better player.

Its already reassuring, he said. Im already able to speak with him and draw from experiences hes had. Its helping, for sure.

So is the Todd Herremans to right tackle move.

Reid and Mudd didnt just swing Herremans over to right tackle because hes a superior player to all the other guys the Eagles have tried at right tackle this summer. Its also another way to help out Watkins.

Instead of having a rookie center and an inexperienced right tackle next to him, Watkins now has a solid seventh-year veteran to his right.

Cant hurt.

You know, when I found out they were moving him over there, that was definitely a more than positive feeling, it was a reassurance for me that if Im not sure of something or a little shaky, Im able to lean over two inches and ask a question, and hes right there, Watkins said.

He already has the guard experience, so he already knows whats going on. So were already building that chemistry, getting that chemistry going, and its definitely helping. Having Todd next to me definitely levels the playing field a little bit.

The Eagles have been searching for a right guard since Andrews back issues derailed his career early in the 2008 season. They tried to get by the last three years with Max Jean-Gilles, Nick Cole and Stacy Andrews before drafting Watkins this spring. Obviously those three werent the answer.

Is Watkins?

Too soon to answer, but the one encouraging thing the Eagles have seen in Watkins play is that when hes matched up head-to-head with an opposing lineman, he can be dominating. When he has to pull or move or switch or think or react, he can get himself into trouble. The Eagles believe that means his problems are mainly mental right now -- just learning this offense and this system without the benefit of an off-season.

But that doesnt mean the Eagles wont get him out of there if he isnt getting the job done. Remember, Stacy Andrews was the opening-day right guard starter in 2009, but despite Andrews massive contract, Reid benched him after one week, and Andrews never started again.

What happens if Watkins struggles? How patient will the Eagles be? How long can a team with Super Bowl aspirations afford to stick with the rookie if hes not getting the job done?

Thats a good question, he said. Im just looking at this as a weekly thing. Ive got to keep pushing and grinding. Nothings guaranteed here. Ive just got to keep working away and produce."

I hold myself to a high standard and I want to be able to do my best and be a critical part of the team here.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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