Philadelphia Eagles: Recapping the Latest Buzz Heading into Training Camp

It's the middle of July, one of the quietest periods across the NFL, especially for the Philadelphia Eagles. Unless there's a player making headlines for an off-field incident, there isn't much news at all, and we don't expect to hear a peep from the Birds thanks to head coach Chip Kelly's emphasis on culture.

That being said, there are little tidbits floating around here and there. We'll try to get you through this slow time by finding the most pertinent stories out there and recapping the buzz as we wait for training camp. August 2 can't come soon enough.

Extension Not Close for Sam Bradford

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Albert Breer of NFL.com reports there have been preliminary talks between quarterback Sam Bradford and the Eagles over a contract extension, although no real progress has been made. Andrew Brandt of the MMQB wonders why not, with the sixth-year veteran barreling toward free agency in 2016.

Brandt suggests only a select few reasons why either side wouldn't be pushing harder to get a deal done. Bradford may be waiting for stars such as Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson to set a more lucrative market for signal-callers. Brandt also theorizes the Eagles haven't closed the door on turning around and trading Bradford.

The reality is likely a lot simpler than all of that. Neither Bradford nor the Eagles know his true value.

If Bradford were to sign an extension now, it would almost certainly favor the Eagles. Bradford is still recovering from the second of two torn ACLs, which limited him to seven games over the past two years, and when he has been on the field, the numbers haven't been very impressive. One good, healthy season in Philadelphia's offense would significantly increase his leverage.

No doubt, the Eagles would prefer to get Bradford under contract at a lower figure, but Bradford isn't going to sign a deal that pays him less than he believes he's worth. There's really nothing the team can do but wait and see what they have before caving to the quarterback's demands.

NFL Exec: Eagles Won't Miss Mathis

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Everybody knew the Eagles releasing Evan Mathis was a possibility, but how many people really believed Kelly would go through with it? Well, the head coach did, dropping Mathis over a contract dispute just days before the All-Pro left guard was scheduled to report for mandatory minicamp.

But have no fear, says one NFL executive, anyway. Not only will the Eagles not miss the two-time Pro Bowler, but he also allegedly isn't even very good anymore, hears Mark Eckel of NJ.com.

"[Mathis], that's the craziest thing I ever saw. He either got the worst advice from an agent ever, or he made the dumbest mistake ever. You watch him last year? He's just a guy at this point. Why do you think he hasn't been signed?"

Much of what the exec says is curious, although not the part about Mathis or his agent making a foolish decision. However, lots of people watched Mathis last year and thought enough of his ability to put him in the Pro Bowl despite playing only nine games. And there could be plenty of reasons Mathis hasn't signed a contract yet that are not limited to NFL front offices feeling he's washed up.

Even if there is some truth to what one lone league executive thinks, there's no denying the Eagles would've been better off with Mathis than without. With right guard Todd Herremans also cut this offseason, the club is charged with replacing both starting guards, and it's doing so largely from a collection of reserves and undrafted free agents.

Tim Tebow Making Byron Maxwell Better

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Generally speaking, you don't want to hear that one of your quarterbacks is making one of your cornerbacks better. Yet that's exactly what Byron Maxwell told the NFL Network about Tim Tebow—fortunately, not for the reason one might think.

Tebow is a rare left-handed quarterback in the NFL, so when the ball is released, it's a bit of a different look for defensive backs. Maxwell goes on to say he's become a "better catcher" from working individually with Tebow thanks to the unique view.

So there you go. Tebow probably has an uphill battle to make the team, but if he makes the Eagles' prized free-agent acquisition and No. 1 cornerback a better player, consider it a job well done no matter the outcome for the quarterback.

Eagles NFL's Healthiest Team

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Does Kelly's sports science work? It's a hot topic after the Eagles went out and acquired so many players coming off injury this offseason, taking gambles on could-be stars like Bradford who can't stay on the field. But is it just a bunch of hocus-pocus, or is it actually helping prevent injuries?

So far, the data suggests the methods are in fact effective. Using Football Outsiders' adjusted games lost metric, the Eagles have been the healthiest team in the NFL since Kelly was hired in 2013, via Bleeding Green Nation.

Philadelphia was the healthiest team in the league for the 2013 season based on AGL and finished fifth last year. No other team finished in the top five twice.

That being said, is two years enough of a body of work? Yes and no. Granted, the Eagles probably aren't going to be one of the top five healthiest teams year in and year out. Even Kelly has conceded numerous times that some injuries, such as broken bones, simply aren't preventable.

However, the evidence is there that science can help prevent soft tissue injuries and things of that nature. It's almost certainly no accident the Eagles have been the healthiest teams in the NFL since Kelly's arrival, and the expectation is his teams will continue to be in that conversation.

Zach Ertz: Eagles' Goal Is 16-0

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One thing is for sure: The Eagles are aiming high in 2015. Maxwell caught some heat for sort of guaranteeing his new team would be playing in the Super Bowl at the end of the season, but you have to love the confidence.

Apparently it's contagious, because tight end Zach Ertz went on NFL Network to tell the world the goal is to go 16-0 this season.

Which of course it is. It's tempting to look at these statements as bold or egotistical. The reality is every player on every team in the NFL is trying to win every game every week and make it to the Super Bowl.

Still, it really is something to hear a player say it. The Eagles' goal is to go 16-0, and I doubt anybody in Philadelphia has a problem with that.