Eagles need Watkins to be ready this time

Here comes that step forward.

Just a week before the regular season began, Eagles' first-round draft choice Danny Watkins lost his starting job to Kyle DeVan.

That was the step backward.

Watkins, who has yet to play this season and who has been inactive for three of the first four games, will start at right guard this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

We took a step back, head coach Andy Reid said, to hopefully take a step forward.

Watkins, who will turn 27 next month, was the 23rd overall pick out of Baylor despite his age and his lack of football experience; he didnt play the sport until he was 22.

Despite all that, Watkins was still expected to be the starter and even began training camp as the guy at the right guard position. That is, until the real games were ready to be played. The Eagles benched him and signed DeVan, the Colts' castoff.You never want to see your team struggle, whether youre on or off the field," Watkins said. "Like I said, I think the way things are going today, I think things will be looking good this weekend.Watkins has watched as his offensive line teammates have struggled some, especially in short-yardage situations. Now, Watkins will get a chance tomakethe line betterhimself. Hes definitely much improved, rookie center Jason Kelce said of Watkins. I think it helped him out a lot to sit back and watch what has been going on and get a chance to mentally hone in on everything.

Im excited to see him succeed. Thats what Im excited for.

Kelce, the Eagles sixth-round pick, has stepped in as the starter but said the transition was easier for him than Watkins.

It all goes back to the three significant changes Reid has continually said Watkins had to endure. First, the switch from college to the pros. Second, the move from tackle to guard. Third, the switch from the left side to the right.

All three significant changes, added to the lockout (no OTAs or minicamps), put Watkins into a tough position. One of the toughest changes for Watkins is the switch from college to the pros, especially in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, he said the fan and media attention surrounding him has taken some getting used to and herefers tohimself as"just a regular guy." Only, he isn't. Now, he's the starting right guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, again.

Dannys a really smart kid, a really talented player, left guard Evan Mathis said. Hes used his time wisely over this past month to keep his nose in the playbook, keep learning the offense, watch the guys that are in there, learning the techniques.

Hes a physical player, hes very talented. I think hell bring his aggression.It's Watkins' agression, his physicality that made him stand out in the minds of the Eagles' coaches. On Wednesday, Watkins was asked about what his physicality will bring the the offensive line. I dont know," Watkins said. "Im trying to be humble. I dont know. Youll have to ask the coach about that one. I mean, honestly, these last four weeks Ive just been coming in early, leaving late, just trying to get better and work away at it.

Beside just his physicality,Watkins willalso bring a bigger frame to a line that has struggled in short-yardage situations this season. DeVan was brought in on Sept. 4 as a veteran familiar with Howard Mudds offensive line. He started 25 of 35 games for the Colts in the past two seasons under Mudd.

Its professional football, DeVan said. Theyre going to put Danny out there, then fine, Im still going to go out there and help Danny get ready, help the defense get ready. Its the same thing Im always going to do. Im still a part of the team. Im not going to hang my head and go home. Im still a part of this team. So whatever decision they make, Im not going to be depressed about it, Im going to go out there and do my best every day like Ive always done and help these guys get a win this weekend.

DeVan said there were some plays he wished he could have changed against the 49ers. The third-year pro out of Oregon State struggled on short-yardage downs, but then again, so did the whole line.

Its very frustrating, Kelce said. Its one guy here, there. Its one mental breakdown. Its very frustrating when its little things that are culminating into a very poor performance from us.

The line likely will have to improve with not one but two new faces this week against the Bills. Besides the Watkins-for-DeVan switch, starting left tackle Jason Peters (hamstring) didnt practice on Wednesday and isnt expected to play Sunday. King Dunlap will start in his place.

Peters has been the one rock for this offensive line. Left tackle is Peters job and its the only spot on the line everyone has been sure of since the off-season.

Weve all worked together throughout camp, said Mathis, who has previously downplayed the importance of cohesion on the offensive line. Everyone has been working together. Any combination we could throw out there, weve seen it in practice.

Now, theyll get to see the combination with their first-round pick in the mix. Ready or not.

Hes learned the offense. Football in general is new to him, theres no doubt about that, DeVan said. Every day, hes listening, hes asking questions, hes trying to get better and learn the plays schematically.Watkins says he's in a better position to succeed after watching the first four weeks of the season. I mean, yeah, Ive made ground for sure," Watkins said. After four weeks, is he ready to take that step forward?

I dont think hed be put in the mix if he wasnt ready, Kelce said.

Well see.

E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com.