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1. If Chip Kelly trades you and you're black, he's a racist.
When the Eagles discarded safety Brandon Boykin to the Steelers in exchange for a potential fourth-round pick in 2016, the traded said the trader was "uncomfortable around grown men of our culture."
Which would render Kelly uncomfortable around grown men of whichever culture Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans belong to, as well. But that's beside the point. The only discernable reason Boykin was traded was because he's black. Not because he's too short, and not because his production wasn't up to the level the team needs from his position. And certainly not because the Steelers needed an addition to their secondary.
Those reasons are far too practical and provable. Whereas racism is provocative and largely unprovable, so guaranteed to gain attention and yet another pedantic sermon from Stephen A. Smith and other race hustlers that still plague the nation's social commentary.
2. Sam Bradford was basically what we thought he'd be.
Okay, but a little rusty. Saying he's 100 percent and "ready to go," Bradford was the first on the field in the 11-on-11 drills. Some of his throws could have been better, others couldn't have been -- a spiral for Jordan Matthews was as tight as any I've seen.
"We don't have any restrictions on him," Kelly said before practice began. And they didn't throughout the day. Kelly has compared his acquisition of Bradford and his trick knee to the Saints signing Drew Brees in 2006 after he had been marked as an injury concern.
Speculations about Bradford claiming a Super Bowl for the Eagles as Brees did for the Saints will have to come after those concerning his status in the team's first preseason game in a week. Technically, the competition is still open between he and Mark Sanchez, who was behind center for all the second-team reps on Sunday. Bradford could use some work, however.
He tossed the only interception on the day, a bad ball right for Nolan Carroll and missed Riley Cooper with a high throw down the sideline. It's the first day, though, and he has too much natural ability to judge him too harshly now.
3. For the time being, Walter Thurmond is a safety.
There had been talk that Thurmond, one of the objects of Chip Kelly's banner offseason, would make the switch. He started at cornerback during his time with the Seahawks and Giants, and has never started an NFL game at safety.
He said he watched and emulated Earl Thomas in Seattle and Antrel Rolle in New York and has been focusing on his new role by paying closer attention to the subtleties of the position, spending time around current Eagles starters Malcolm Jenkins and Earl Wolff.
With the instability, and consequent troubles, the Eagles have had at safety since parting ways with Brian Dawkins six years ago, the team is looking hard for answers and feel going into camp they may on to one in Thurmond.
4. Interior of the offensive line needs to get in shape.
After the Eagles waved goodbye to both their guards, they'll need some fast replacements if their inside run game is to have any effect this year. Allen Barbre took Evan Mathis' former left guard spot, as was expected. Barbre had been filling in when Mathis didn't show to OTAs and minicamp this spring and right now the job is his.
Matt Tobin got some good experience last season filling in on the right side after the Eagles' front line was torn up by injuries, but he's the weakest link in this group. Camp and the preseason will be vital for him to carve any real security between Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson.
5. The running back depth chart was flipped over for some unknown reason.
Which raised some eyebrows. DeMarco Murray, along with college teammate Bradford, was the main attraction in the Eagles' offseason signings. But he didn't take a single rep on Sunday when camp opened. The team had no explanation for his absence, though he did take part in stretches and individual drills in the early part of the day.
Ryan Mathews, the No. 2, was also unseen. Darren Sproles was the tailback with the first-teamers all day in both the seven-on-sevens and 11-on-11 drills.
That's something to keep an eye on.
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