While new Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford is still trotting around with a "pronounced limp," the defensive star Philly traded for in March, Kiko Alonso, is all systems go.
Acquired in a swap with Buffalo for running back LeSean McCoy, the former Bills linebacker told reporters that he was able to do "everything" at this week's Eagles OTAs.
"I honestly didn't think I'd be doing this much," Alonso said, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I've just been going on how I feel, and it's feeling really good."
Alonso practiced without a brace on his left knee, which he tore in July, two months before Bradford -- then with the Rams -- suffered a torn ACL of his own.
"I feel comfortable without it," Alsonso said of the brace. "I never really liked wearing (it)."
Coach Chip Kelly knew what he was gaining in Alonso, who starred for him at Oregon. Their shared past also gave Alonso insight into Kelly's up-tempo practices, but the pace of OTAs still caught the third-year defender by surprise.
"I knew what to expect, but I definitely thought I'd be more in shape, but I was wrong," Alonso said. "I remember when I was in Buffalo, I was like I can't imagine going against the Eagles and that pace. Because if you don't practice like that and you go, it's brutal."
We view Alonso -- one of the best rookies in 2013 -- as an immediate starter in Philly, but there's a crowded house at inside linebacker. Behind Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans, the Eagles also have Brad Jones, Najee Goode, Emmanuel Acho and third-round pick Jordan Hicks. All in all, not a bad problem to have in May.
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