Every quarterback on the roster for the Philadelphia Eagles believes they can be a starter. The current rotation for the team includes two Heisman trophy winners and two former USC stars. However, none of the options appear to be instilling much confidence into the fan base. With Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez competing for the starting job, Matt Barkley is denying there is any kind of competition between him and Tim Tebow.
The Eagles shocked everyone by signing Tebow who was last seen on the New England Patriots roster before getting cut during training camp. According to CSNPhilly.com, Chip Kelly likes what he sees out of Tebow which could help his future to make the 53-man roster. While Sanchez is making it clear that Tebow is just a "camp arm", Barkley is making it known that he has no intentions of losing snaps to the quarterback.
"He's not taking my reps on the field," Barkley said, via NJ.com. "He's an arm we need for the team, with (former quarterback) G.J. (Kinne) making the move to receiver. Tim's just one of us. He's trying to make the team just like we all are. It hasn't affected my approach to how I feel the team thinks of me or how I'm going out to compete every day. I'm not looking to compete for the third spot. That is what it is based off contract numbers. I'm just looking to play my best. If that winds up being third, then so be it."
Sanchez is saying the same thing about Bradford. Right now Sanchez has the opportunity to prove that he can be the starter for the Eagles as Bradford continues to rehab from his second straight torn ACL. While it is expected that Bradford is going to be the starter in Philadelphia once healthy, Sanchez is making his desires to be a starter again known as the team heads back for a second week of OTAs.
"All of us come into that quarterback room, walk in the huddle, you act like you're the starter," Sanchez said, via ESPN.com. "That's the only way I know how to play. As soon as you start thinking and counting reps and 'I wonder if this guy is going to be healthy,' you're already beat. There's no point being out here. Everybody wants to be the starter and I'm no different."
The wide receivers are all saying the same things as the quarterbacks. With Jordan Matthews expected to be inserted into the No. 1 role, Riley Cooper, Josh Huff, Miles Austin and the newly drafted Nelson Agholor are all battling. Huff told the media via the team website that he is looking for an expanded role with the team in 2015 after the departures of players like Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson.