Eagles Considering Rookie Duo Of Kelce, Watkins
NOVACARE COMPLEX — With Jason Kelce getting all the snaps at center with the first team this week, there is a very real possibility that two-fifths of the Eagles offensive line will be comprised of rookies come Opening Day.
The coaching staff has spent some time weighing this dynamic, including the fact that the Eagles open with back-to-back road dome games. Not an easy start for two players with no NFL experience. Ultimately, it doesn’t look like such factors will dissuade them if they think Kelce and Danny Watkins are the best combination.
“That’s right. We’ve certainly discussed that,” said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who concluded, “If they’re the right type of players then there’s absolutely no problem at all.”
Watkins’ role as starting right guard was seemingly cemented the moment he was drafted. It was no surprise to see him plugged in with the first team his first day of practice. Kelce, however, is another story. Jamaal Jackson appeared to be a lock if healthy — which he generally has been. Otherwise, surely the job would go to Mike McGlynn.
But the sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati began sharing reps with Jackson early on, and now will get to run with the ones against the Browns on Thursday.
Mornhinweg cautioned not to read too much into it.
“No decision has been made,” he said. “There is great competition there. Kelce has sort of earned the opportunity to do this for a period of time and then we will make decisions as we go. Both are playing at a very high level right now and both are very different. You have a veteran with some great experience that is playing very well, and then you have a rookie that shows an awful lot of talent that has many reps to go through to get to a certain point where we need him to be able to win a ball game.”
Jackson declined to speak to reporters on Sunday.
Kelce was asked if the situation is uncomfortable at all, seeing as he’s taking away snaps from a proven veteran.
“Not really. Jamaal’s a great guy, and really makes it comfortable,” said Kelce. “He wants to be out there, obviously, but he understands…He’s been hurt the last couple years; if something happens to him again, somebody’s going to step in.”
Kelce added that he doesn’t believe he is any closer to a starting role than he was before the first preseason game.
“They just want to see what they got, that’s what I think,” said Kelce.
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