Keenan Clayton

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Here's the question: Now that the Eagles have added four impact players on defense, does the February decision to promote longtime offensive line coach Juan Castillo to defensive coordinator seem less or more crazy? You can make an argument either way. Less: The more good players you have, the less important your scheme becomes. With Andy Reid over his shoulder, Castillo can put together a solid defensive system and simply turn the athletes loose. If Jason Babin, Trent Cole, and Cullen Jenkins can pressure quarterbacks, then Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and (maybe)

The Eagles linebackers know what you think - and they don't like it very much. They can look at the roster just like anyone else and count the star players, the high draft picks, the respected veterans on all the other units. And, well, that leaves them, doesn't it? "We know that people don't expect us to do what we need to do," said second-year player Keenan Clayton, listed as the backup to Moise Fokou at the weakside spot. "They always look down at us and always try to find an excuse not to like us. But we're not going to allow any excuses.

I GUESS it's a matter of perspective. Andy Reid said one of the positives of the Eagles' recently completed season was that, "We were able to play some young players that I think were able to get valuable experience that ought to help their careers down the road, and also help us as a football team. " My question is this: If young players are just marginal talents, does it really matter all that much that they got a bunch of experience? Now that Reid finally said one of the taboo words ?

Vince Young looks set to start at quarterback in place of Michael Vick on Sunday, but he probably will be without the team's leading receiver, Jeremy Maclin, when the Eagles host the New England Patriots. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha's status was up in the air after he suffered a hyperextended left knee in practice Thursday. Asomugha officially is listed as questionable and didn't practice Friday. But he ran through all of Wednesday's session and most of Thursday's, giving him enough knowledge of the game plan to play Sunday if the knee cooperates.

Eagles rookie safety Kurt Coleman has been a key special-teams performer, but he's going to have his workload reduced in that area for Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field against the Minnesota Vikings. That's because Coleman will earn his second start of the season at free safety, replacing fellow rookie Nate Allen , who is on injured reserve after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during last Sunday's 38-31 win over the New York Giants. Coleman made his first start on Nov. 15 against Washington, coming in for Allen, who had a neck sprain.

SOMETIMES YOU just can't shut Andy Reid up. Like last month at the NFL meetings in New Orleans when a reporter asked the Eagles head coach for a detailed analysis of his linebacking corps, which contributed just four sacks and one interception to a defense that finished 21st in the league in points allowed last season. "Linebacker, we've got to look at that," Reid said. What, you were expecting something a little more expansive? The man is conserving words for his next career as a talk-show host.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - If you've been listening closely, or even if you haven't and have been residing on a mountaintop in Tibet the last month, you've probably heard that the Eagles are - drum roll, please - "all in. " They attacked the post-lockout free-agent market with Shawn Andrews-at-Five Guys fervor. Signed about 120 Pro Bowlers, or so it seemed. But "all in" in the salary-capped world of the National Football League doesn't quite mean the same thing as it does in, say, baseball, where an owner can pretty much fill out checks until he gets writer's cramp.

Stewart Bradley backpedaled into pass coverage, turned, and ran as tight end Brent Celek sped down the middle of the practice field. Bradley was with him step for step, and when Kevin Kolb couldn't squeeze a throw in, cornerback Asante Samuel howled with delight. That's what it's like to have the Eagles' top linebacker back. "He's an athlete, no doubt about it," defensive tackle Trevor Laws said. Bradley's return after missing all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament is the highlight of an overhaul at the position.

An undrafted free agent who made the team off the practice squad, Jordan has played multiple positions, and coaches love his versatilty. Smart, fast and big, Bradley can be a defensive force, if he remains healthy. He has a nasty attitude and speed but is small. His aggressiveness could be an asset or used against him. This versatile veteran knows how to play all three linebacker positions and would likely be the first man up in the event of any injuries. The speedy former safety has shown good coverage skills, but he is small.

DEMECO RYANS - A two-time Pro Bowler, Ryans was acquired to be the answer to the question that has long loomed over middle linebacker. He has the pedigree, but has to bounce back from a down season in 2011. JAMAR CHANEY - After a fast start as a rookie, Chaney had a rocky 2011, starting at the strong side and then moving to the middle early in the season. He struggled at times, and will have to move back outside with Ryans in town. BRIAN ROLLE - Rolle was probably the team's most effective linebacker last season, and showed impressive power for his size.