Eagles Wake-Up Call: ‘I Wasn’t Worried About It’

Chip Kelly has indicated in the past that every player on his roster is available via trade for the right offer. And his actions have backed up that stance.

So it stood out Sunday when he offered a big endorsement of Mychal Kendricks, probably Kelly’s strongest to date.

“No, we haven’t had any other [trade] discussions,” Kelly said. “Mychal Kendricks is not going anywhere. I can tell you that right now. You can write that down in ink, not pencil.”

At one point during Sunday’s practice, Kelly walked over to Kendricks, put his arm around the linebacker, and the two shared a couple laughs.

“He reiterated it just now, letting me know that you guys are gonna be asking these questions,” Kendricks said. “…I’m here to stay. That’s a good thing.

“I was always relaxed. In this league, you really can control only what you can control, and that was my mindset going into it, so I wasn’t really worried about it any point, but I’m glad to be here.”

On the field, Kendricks, DeMeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso continued to rotate in and out with the first team during practice. Kendricks is entering the final year of his deal and was asked whether the Eagles have talked extension.

“Nope. But that doesn’t even matter,” he said. “We’re here to play ball and do the best we can do while we’re here. After the season is after the season. We’ll worry about that then. Until then, I’m just gonna ball out like I’ve been doing.

“We’re just rotating. I don’t even know if there is a one or a two or a three. I’m with the rookies, they’re with the rookies, so we’re all rotating.”

How Billy Davis will use the three starting-caliber linebackers is unclear. But barring unforeseen circumstances, Kelly answered one question loud and clear on the first day of training camp. Kendricks isn’t going anywhere.

WHAT YOU MISSED

Running diary of Eagles practice observations on JaCorey Shepherd, Sam Bradford and Justin Bieber.

“You guys might even see me pull one, run it up the middle.” Encouraging signs from Bradford on the first day of camp.

Brandon Boykin told Comcast SportsNet that Kelly is “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture.” Kelly admitted he was surprised by Boykin’s comments.

NFC East roundup on Dez Bryant, Junior Galette and more.

T-Mac with details on the Eagles’ trade of Boykin to the Steelers.

The Birds signed Villanova RB Kevin Monangai.

Weekend reading: Eagles are recognized for three bad contracts, including one to Riley Cooper.

Kelly talks measurables, Howie Roseman and the fans.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly offers observations from the first day of camp:

I’m not one to make mountains of molehills but DeMarco Murray appeared to take no reps during the 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. Looked to me like Darren Sproles logged the majority of first-team reps, Ryan Mathews ran mainly with the second string and the others rotated on the third and fourth units. My attempt to confront Murray after he spoke with ESPN on a subject unrelated to practice was thwarted by Eagles public relations folks, who said Murray was off limits Sunday and will speak in the future. Apparently, the ESPN spot was arranged prior to Sunday.

Jeff McLane of the Inquirer checks in on Earl Wolff and the safeties:

Wolff, who probably practiced less than any other player in the spring (including Bradford), said he did everything on Sunday. He said that he started to feel comfortable – Wolff’s knee had still been bothering him after November surgery – around three weeks ago. Wolff has some ground to make up if he wants to compete for a starting job. Jenkins is locked into one spot and the Eagles seemed committed to former corner Walter Thurmond. Jerome Couplin may have made the best play in the secondary when he nearly intercepted a pass with a full-extended dive.

COMING UP

We’re back at camp and will catch up with Billy Davis.