"There's a little bit of unknown, which I kind of like. . . . I think it's a great challenge," Reid said on the eve of his first training camp without Donovan McNabb. "There's some big-name players that have been proven players on this football team that aren't here, and so it's important that the young guys step up and they go, and that to me is exciting."
Reid, of course, has selected the new players now at the forefront of this team. But no amount of scouting can guarantee that the young Eagles groomed to take over will meet the challenges of their new, expanded roles. The 16-game season will be the real measure, but training camp will provide a telling first impression.
In particular, Reid said, he is eager to see how the team's many draft picks on defense adapt to difficult practices day after steamy day.
"I can't wait to see those guys go here and hit and be able to sustain. I think they'll do real good the first day, but I want to see after the third day, fourth day, when the body is sore and the mind's tired and it's hard to get out of bed. I want to see how they react to that," Reid said.
With rookies or second-year players competing for significant roles at defensive end, strong-side linebacker, cornerback, and safety, their readiness will be critical.
On offense, Reid mentioned seeing LeSean McCoy as he becomes the team's top runner, receiver Jeremy Maclin as he looks to improve on his rookie season, center Nick Cole as he fills in for Jamaal Jackson, and, of course, Kevin Kolb, the quarterback Reid has tabbed to replace McNabb.
"I'm curious to see how it all works out," Reid said, surely echoing the sentiments of Eagles fans wondering if their new-look team will measure up to recent standards.
Kolb, for his part, was his usual self: low-key and confident as he arrived in a Chevrolet pickup with Texas plates.
