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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson met with media for an hour on Wednesday morning during the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings. You can watch video of Pederson's entire press availability by clicking here. In the meantime, here are some highlights and things we learned from what Pederson had to say. Stay tuned to Bleeding Green Nation for more in-depth coverage on some of these topics.
Connor Barwin and Marcus Smith will play 4-3 defensive end
Coach Pederson: Connor Barwin's best position is as a defensive end, coming off the edge. Marcus Smith will play defensive end too.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
Pederson believes the Eagles' starting left guard is already on the roster
Pederson mentioned Malcolm Bunche as one of the players in the mix at LG.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Note that Pederson's delay in this answer might indicate he wasn't exactly telling the truth. The Eagles could easily still add a guard in free agency and/or the NFL Draft.
Jason Peters will stick at LT for now
Coach Pederson: There's been talk about (Peters playing guard), but in my opinion left tackle is his best position moving forward.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
What Pederson wants in his offensive linemen
Doug Pederson wants nasty, dirty, gritty offensive linemen.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Doug Pederson still thinks Eagles need to address OL. "You like versatility at that position."
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
The return of the fullback!
Doug Pederson says he likes lining his offense up with a FB or a TE in the backfield at times.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Pederson says "there’s a chance" the Eagles will keep a fullback on the 53-man roster.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Doug Pederson says Trey Burton is someone he wants to see if he can handle FB position. He doesn’t know for sure if he can handle it.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Jordan Matthews moving out of the slot?
Doug Pederson thinks Jordan Matthews can play on the outside and he’ll look at him there this spring.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Starting linebacker configuration
Pederson thinks Bradham fits in as the SLB. Mychal Kendricks fits in at WLB.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
To be clear: Bradham at SAM, Jordan Hicks at MIKE, and Kendricks at WILL. Pederson also mentioned Najee Goode can play all three spots but fits in as a backup WILL.
Pederson talks Sam Bradford
Here at the NFC coaches breakfast... Where #Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Sam Bradford being his QB was a big part of why he took the job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2016
Pederson on Sam Bradford: He's a guy that makes good decisions, has a good arm & is a leader of the football team. pic.twitter.com/7WFIWzw64q
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
Doug Pederson says Sam Bradford put on 5 pounds this offseason.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
How the Eagles will call plays
Why would Pederson relay plays to Reich? His explanation:
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
1) Avoid button confusion.
2) QB is used to hearing OC call plays in practice.
Pederson noted that this structure is how things worked in Kansas City. Andy Reid would call the plays and Pederson would relay them to Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. For those worried this will cause delay of game penalties, note that the Chiefs had the second least amount of those penalties in 2014.
Pederson won't as involved with pro days
Doug Pederson says he won’t be at Carson Wentz’s pro day.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Pederson said he won't be as involved as pro days as he is with private workouts with quarterbacks.
Probably no joint training camp practice this offseason
Doug Pederson doesn’t expect to have joint training camp practice with another NFL team this year. Open to the possibility in future.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
The Eagles always did joint training camp practices during the Chip Kelly regime. It was the Patriots for the first two years and the Ravens last year.
Eagles not done adding defensive backs
Doug Pederson says he feels really good about Eagles CB position, though admits "still probably need to add some depth."
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
The Eagles currently have nine cornerbacks on the roster, which doesn't include Malcolm Jenkins who can play in the nickel role. It also sounds like the Eagles want to add more depth behind Jenkins and Rodney McLeod.
Doug Pederson also mentions Eagles still need to address secondary. Mentions possibility of adding a safety in the draft.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Pederson expects the Eagles to draft a QB
Doug Pederson says he expects to come out of the 2016 NFL Draft with a QB.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Pederson on his relationship with Howie Roseman
Pederson on #Eagles power structure, said he and Howie talk all the time and Howie is open to suggestions.
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) March 23, 2016