Professor

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/spo...hilly_football

Eagles Camp | Bunkley works out with first-team defense
By Marc Narducci
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Brodrick Bunkley has continued to move his way up the depth chart in rapid fashion. The defensive tackle, the Eagles' first-round pick, spent his first time working out with the first-string defense during today's practice at the Nova Care Complex. It was his first time with the first unit.

Bunkley was expected to eventually work with the first-teamers, but he has quickly made up for lost time.

And while the Eagles won't proclaim him a starter, the fact that he is working with the first team after a prolonged preseason holdout, speaks volumes of the progress Bunkley has made.

Bunkley began working with the third-team defense after a holdout forced him to miss 29 total practices. His first practice with the Eagles came on Aug. 8.

Since then, he played two series in the Eagles' 20-7 win over the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 10. Bunkley added 11/2 sacks in one quarter during last Thursday's 20-10 loss at Baltimore to the Ravens.

And today was another landmark when he worked with the first team and also had an impressive interception against quarterback Timmy Chang.

"It really wasn't a difference," Bunkley said about being with the first team. "You are playing with the first stringers so mentally you have to be there a little bit more."

Last year's first-round pick Mike Patterson will be one starter at defensive tackle. The other starter is listed as Darwin Walker, but he remains out with a fractured rib.

Sam Rayburn started last week against Baltimore and it wouldn't be surprising if he got the start again. However, Bunkley will get his share of time.

"He played 20 plays last week," Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said about Bunkley. "We're going to play him a lot more this week."

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M-247gunner

Well what do you think Prof, maybe it's time for McDougle to move on?

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Manster

I thought that McDougle was a DE not a DT. Also I think that if Davis is any where near healthy he would be a great sign for you. He would bring a different set of skills to the table that none of the other RBs do.

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M-247gunner

Mcdougle is, but he's been very ineffective so maybe it's time to open his roster spot.

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Pav

I envy the Eagles DTs (Patterson, bunkley), but they are a bit undersized. They can both get to the QB, but who is going to clog up the middle in run defense. That is one thing i think Darwin Walker is better at than Bunkley

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Professor

McDougle has looked great in the spring, The Ends howard, cole, mcdougle, kearse have all looked good. The line is finally healthy and should be a strength. Patterson is strong and bunkley did 44 reps of 225 and ran a forty in under 5 seconds, not bad for a guy who is 6'3" 300 pounds. Bunkley and Patterson actually play the same position with Walker and Rayburn taking the other tackle spot, don't forget that they also signed Jasper from the raiders to play tackle as well.

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