Means to an end: Journeyman making most of Eagles shot

Asked about defensive end Steven Means, Jim Schwartz suggested that reporters check with the Eagles' tight ends, because "he's been giving those guys some tough situations to handle."

You have to like a defensive coordinator who has ideas about whom you should talk to for a story. If Schwartz has any suggestions on how to craft a better lede, hey, we'll take those, too.

On Monday, needing all the help we can get, with no more media access to the team before Thursday's preseason opener, we took Schwartz up on his recommendation.

Zach Ertz, how 'bout that Steven Means?

"He's like Brandon Graham, that mode. Very physical, very strong. Plays with great leverage, and he weighs a lot," Ertz said. "He's a very mean football player out there. He's physical, he's tenacious."

Mean? Aside from the obvious play on words, given Means' last name, in interviews, the guy is always smiling and talking about how much God has blessed him, etc.

"Oh, yeah. But on the field, I think the switch flips," Ertz said.

Ertz added that he thinks this is the best opportunity Means has had in a while, and he obviously wants to make the most of it.

"He's been playing at an extremely high level out here. I think all the guys on offense, especially the tight ends, are excited to see him out there on Thursday (hitting the Bucs, instead of them)."

Means, who turns 26 next month, is a high-waisted, 6-3, 263-pound pass rusher who was drafted in the fifth round by Tampa in 2013 out of the University of Buffalo. He played in 11 games there over two seasons, then spent some time with Baltimore. When the Eagles signed him last Dec. 8, Means was languishing on the Texans' practice squad.

"God has blessed me," Means said. "I'm just havin' fun, just using my God-given abilities to get an edge on some people."

Three weeks after Means arrived in Philly, the coach who brought him here, to play linebacker in a 3-4 setup, was fired. Did Means think that when Chip Kelly moved on, he'd have to find another home, as well?

"My pastor asked me the same question," Means said. "How do I know if my faith is strong? If my worry is low. Nothing really bothers me. It's that type of business, where the coaches get switched. It's happened to me every year I've been (in the league). I'm used to it."

Means said 3-4 linebacker or 4-3 end is all fine with him, as long as he's getting on the field.

If Means looks as good in the preseason as he has in the early part of camp, this could be bad news for 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith, currently sidelined with a concussion.

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks left practice with what seemed to be a minor hamstring problem. Kendricks missed three full games and parts of two others last season with hammy issues . . . Doug Pederson was asked Monday, with left tackle Jason Peters (quadriceps) sidelined for Thursday's preseason opener against the Bucs, why doesn't he just move right tackle Lane Johnson across to the left? Pederson said that Matt Tobin, who has been practicing in Peters' spot, is "having a great camp." Tobin, quick but angular and not real powerful, is much better suited to tackle than the right guard spot, where he struggled tremendously last season . . . Quarterback Sam Bradford left after practice to attend to a "family matter," Pederson said, but he said Bradford will be back for Thursday's game . . . Pederson said Peters and safety Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) should return to practice next week . . . Darren Sproles will not handle preseason returns, with Eagles coaches wanting to look at newcomers.

@LesBowen

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