1. The Eagles' coach was in a philosophic mood ahead of practice on Thursday. "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand," he said in relation to how he fuses new players into his scheme and regimen. Stressing experience, Kelly said meeting and film room sessions are nice things, but pale in comparison with getting out there and doing it. Players will be put in a variety of situations to gauge their abilities as widely as possible.2. Sam Bradford is still adjusting and getting back into the speed of things, according to his coach. He's been full-go since camp opened and hasn't had any issue with his knee. While Kelly's offseason work doesn't include a pass rush, he said his quarterback is still establishing himself in the pocket, setting his footwork down properly, and is learning his progressions. He hasn't been favoring his leg, though there's been no sign of any more problems. The man himself said he felt 100 percent after these four days.
3. Kelly says the difference between Tim Tebow and the other quarterbacks is clearly his running ability, something coaches looked at during the OTAs and have been again during camp. He's made some impressive runs so far, and Kelly says he's yet to scratch the surface with what he believes the quarterback can provide in that area. Tebow had a strong showing with the third team, completing to Trey Burton, Quron Pratt, and back Raheem Mostert.
4. First-round pick Nelson Agholor is getting better, and Kelly noted his ability in making hand-catches away from his body, getting open in space, returning kicks, and making plays along the sideline. Despite his height, he plays taller and longer, and has what Kelly calls "an extra gear." He also said no one planned to draft Agholor as a replacement for Jeremy Maclin, who left for the Chiefs in free agency. Kelly said the Eagles wanted Maclin, but were out-bid during the process.
5. John Moffitt started at right guard when the Eagles started the 11-drills. The position is clearly still open and, with Kelly giving equal opportunity to first, second, and third team players, it looks like a wide open competition. Andrew Gardiner and Matt Tobin had started before, with Gardiner opening camp at that spot and Tobin taking over the next two days.
6. Chip Kelly sounded like he was talking up Matt Barkley ahead of practice, noting a fair amount of improvement in his contribution, saying he put in a "really, really good April to June for us" and has made a number of good strides. He also cited his experience compared to the other quarterbacks when he arrived. The preseason will be the true test for him once he gets out of that red jersey
7. "Tough, hard, physical runner" is how Kelly described Ryan Mathews, the current No. 2 rusher behind DeMarco Murray. He runs fast for a guy of his size, Kelly calling him a "unique combination."
8. Chip Kelly likes what he sees in cornerback Denzel Rice. Rice made himself known during the Eagles' practice at the stadium on Tuesday, forcing a fumble from Tim Tebow on what was a 10 yard rush, and later intercepting one of his passes. "He seems to have a unique knack for always being around the ball," he said before practice on Thursday.
9. Jordan Hicks as the athleticism to see time early and make waves as a three-down linebacker. He stood out on special teams and Kelly says he could find himself among the ranks of Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks.
10. The worst for last. Some troubling news for two new and promising Eagles -- running back DeMarco Murray went home with an undisclosed illness and linebacker Kiko Alonso was excused after suffering a concussion. That's two days now that Murray hasn't been involved in team activities after missing the first day of camp because of what Chip Kelly called low hydration. That doesn't seem to be a related issue, but any more missed time could raise enough eyebrows to make it one.
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