Chance Warmack: Jeff Stoutland ‘influenced my decision' to join Eagles

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The first four years of Chance Warmack's NFL career haven't quite gone according to plan. After he was taken as the 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Warmack simply hasn't lived up to his draft status nor his stellar college career.

But if there's one guy who can help him reach his potential, that guy's in Philly.

At least that's what Warmack is banking on.

As Warmack became a top draft pick and a two-time national champion as the left guard for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2011-12, his offensive line coach was Jeff Stoutland. Yes, the same Jeff Stoutland who has held the same position for the Eagles since 2013.

"Oh, that influenced my decision very much. He's my guy," Warmack said. "Helped me a lot in college, took me to the next level. I'm hoping to make that magic work again here. I've already met with him, we've already talked scheme, so I'm just excited, man, I'm ready to go."

Warmack, 25, wasn't just good in college. He was incredible. And that's why he has Ray Didinger tripping over himself about the Eagles' decision to sign him to a one-year deal (see story).

Continually during his press conference Friday, Warmack said he thought coming to the Eagles on a one-year deal -- and leaving other offers on the table -- was the right move for him. He thinks Philadelphia was the best fit.

And it might be oversimplifying, but it sure seems like Stoutland was the biggest part of that decision.

"He's a dynamic coach," Warmack said. "He's a guy that's going to pull everything he can up out of you. And he knows me. He knows the type of player I am from Alabama. I feel like that relationship in itself is what's going to take me to the next level."

As for Stoutland, he walked down the hallway in the NovaCare Complex a couple hours before Warmack took to the podium and said he's pretty excited about having his former pupil back.

From the time Warmack was drafted, he was immediately thrust into the starting lineup in Tennessee. That won't necessarily be the case in Philly. The Eagles still have Brandon Brooks as their starting right guard and Isaac Seumalo, Allen Barbre and Stefen Wisniewski fighting for the left guard spot.

Still, it wouldn't be crazy to think about Warmack coming in and impressing enough to be a starter. Then if everything worked out, maybe he'd sign a long-term deal to stay with the Eagles.

"Honestly, wherever I fit, wherever I plug in, wherever I can help the team the best way, I'm going to do that," he said. "Whatever they ask of me to do, whether it's play left or right, I'll do that for them. I'm here to be a team player, I'm here to help the team."

He wouldn’t really talk about the one-year deal Friday, other than to say coming to Philadelphia was the right situation for him.

In 2016, Warmack's season ended after just two games. He tore a tendon in his finger and needed surgery. But now, he said he's 100 percent healthy. To prove it Friday, he balled his hand into a fist and gave a fist bump to a reporter in the first row.

"They cleared me," he said. "Ready to grab, punch, all that."

To most, Warmack's four-year career, thus far, has been a disappointment. How would he evaluate it?

"I feel like there's a lot more for me to do in terms of my game, in terms of developing as a player," he said. "You can always get better as a player. You just have to fit in the right situation and I feel like I really feel like this is it. This is where I needed to be."

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