The Philadelphia Eagles are not considered finalists for HBO's Hard Knocks, but they have enough preseason headlines for an entertaining season. The team kicks off organized team activities on Tuesday and all of head coach Chip Kelly's offseason moves will be on full display. DeMarco Murray will now be running point in the backfield while competition will push the quarterback and wide receiver spot. So who will succeed in the coming weeks?
According to CSNPhilly.com, the wide receiver battle will be exciting as only Jordan Matthews is guaranteed anything. After letting Jeremy Maclin walk away in free agency along with sending DeSean Jackson away last year, there are questions regarding the talent at the position. Riley Cooper struggled for most of last season while Miles Austin was not a home run signing for the team.
According to NFL.com, the drafting of Nelson Agholor could be just what the Eagles needed. The rookie out of USC is expected to contend for a starting job with the team if he can learn Kelly's offense quickly. The question becomes who joins him and Matthews. NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal predicted that Josh Huff was a favorite for that third position. Kelly has been impressed with what Huff brings to the field while no longer being sold on Cooper. Matthews, Agholor and Hugg might be enough to get the job done.
Of course the quarterback job will take the spotlight. On Tuesday, both Bradford and Tebow will get the chance to speak to the media. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bradford's health is unknown. Zach Ertz told the media that he believes Bradford is a better quarterback than Andrew Luck, but no one has really seen what he is capable of. That has given Mark Sanchez the confidence he can compete to be the No. 1 guy.
"Talking with Coach Kelly and knowing I'm coming with the opportunity to compete for the starting job," Sanchez said, via NJ.com. "That was important to me. There were some other opportunities out there, but I didn't want to switch systems again. You do a one-year deal...it's different for a defensive player, but for an offensive player especially a quarterback, you have to learn a whole new language again."
The 2015 offense will be very different in Philadelphia. Gone are Maclin and LeSean McCoy. Murray, Bradford and Matthews are expected to be the new stars or at least that is what Kelly is counting on.
