Jason Kelce was the Eagles sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati last season and started all 16 games at center. He fit Howard Mudds system better than the incumbent Jamaal Jackson, so he became the starter.
For this season, his second in the league, Kelce has been given even more responsibility.
Last year, my involvement in the protections was just to get us started, Kelce said. Whatever the rule was for the week, whatever the rule was for the protections for a given opponent, I would get us started. It was Mikes job to make the corrections to make the audibles if that first initial play was off or if the defense was giving us something we werent expecting.
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Now, theyre giving me a little more leeway to make those corrections. Were not eating as much time off the clock. Were not having me make a call, then having Mike change it. Were trying to eliminate as much of that as we can.
The 6-foot-3, 282-pound Kelce was thrown in to the Eagles' offensive line for the first game of the season in 2011 and said he didnt really feel comfortable until the fourth game. But he said everything really started to click in the Eagles' home game against the Cowboys following the bye. Thats when he got to go against nose tackle Jay Ratliff.
After that game, that was the toughest opponent I ever played against, Kelce said. I got a grasp of the offense and a grasp of all the adjustments that need to be made. That was the turning point for me last year.
It was amped up because everyone here was telling me he was a really good player and it was the best that Ill face. Anytime youre going up against one of the best guys in the league, its exciting. Those are the guys you want to go against, even though its gonna be tough, thats why you play.
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Play of the day: Vick hit Jeremy Maclin down the right sideline for about a 50- or 60-yard touchdown pass. Maclin beat Nnamdi Asomugha by a little bit on the play as Asomugha trailed him by a few steps.
Quote of the day: Its a great city. Way better than Buffalo, no disrespect."Demetress Bell on Philadelphia.
Quote of the day II: I dont know, well see. Hes always got some tricks up his sleeve.Jason Kelce when asked if Evan Mathis will be sticking him with anymore restaurant bills.
Stupid observation of the day: Asomugha always wears pants to practice. No matter how hot it is. He was wearing them on Wednesday. He was the only one.
Linebacker Keenan Clayton had surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn core muscle (sports hernia) by Dr. William Meyers at Jefferson at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Clayton was on-hand on Wednesday but was obviously not practicing.
For the second straight day, last years starting middle linebacker Jamar Chaney worked with the second unit, while DeMeco Ryans (Mike), Mychal Kendricks (SAM) and Brian Rolle (WILL) made up the first unit.
Trent Edwards continued to struggle on Wednesday. The veteran quarterback hasnt mastered his timing with receivers and didnt throw a tight spiral with any noticeable zip. Mike Kafka and rookie Nick Foles both looked better.
Remember Hank Fraley? The former Eagles center was at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday helping with the offensive line. Fraley is an assistant coach at the University of San Diego.
In case you missed it, former Eagles wideout Greg Lewis is also involved with the team as a coaching intern and was on the field on Wednesday. Special teams quality control coach Duce Staley was a coaching intern in 2010.
E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com