Eagles' Doug Pederson on QB Sam Bradford: 'He'd love to be back'

MOBILE, Ala. - It's a new world for Doug Pederson, whether he's evaluating defensive prospects, in addition to the offensive guys, here at the Senior Bowl for the first time in his career, or completing his first coaching staff - as Pederson did Wednesday, with the hiring of defensive line coach Chris Wilson and offensive quality control/ assistant wide receivers coach Joe D'Orazio.

In his second week as the Eagles' coach, Pederson didn't suddenly gain qualifications; he still has just three seasons at the coordinator level behind him, he still hasn't called plays on a consistent basis. But the new coach is becoming less of a blank slate as he settles into the job. His coaching staff hires seem well-regarded, and he seems at ease in his new role.

"I think we've got a good group of experienced coaches, with a good mix of young, energetic, eager guys," Pederson said after the North team practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. "I think that's the thing with today's football - you've gotta have guys that have got a little juice, a little energy. And both sides of the ball, we're going to have that."

Wilson, 47, the last coach in charge of a position group to be hired, took a job at Missouri last month, just after losing his position at USC. Wilson was defensive line coach and then defensive coordinator at Mississippi State when Fletcher Cox was there. Attempts to contact Cox, in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, were unsuccessful Wednesday.

"Sat down with him, actually, this morning," Pederson said, in announcing Wilson's hiring. "Had a great interview with him. (Defensive coordinator) Jim Schwartz and I spent about 2 1/2 hours with him. He's got great attention to detail, fundamentals. He's a technician. He's worked with some of our guys before. He's recruited some of our guys before, actually, so he's very aware of the talent we have. He'll fit our system well."

Pederson said Wilson has worked with 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. He said Wilson's work with Cox wasn't a big factor in Wilson's hiring, but, "It'll be good to get those guys back together."

"I came away feeling really good and comfortable, (that Wilson is) someone I can work with for many years," Pederson said.

Pederson, who seems much more at ease talking with reporters than Chip Kelly, the coach he replaced, also said he has talked with quarterback Sam Bradford, who can be a free agent in March.

"Sam and I had a great conversation a couple of days ago. I look forward to working with him," Pederson said. "As we continue to evaluate, we'll pull that trigger, one way or the other, when the time comes.

"He'd love to be back. He's a kid that will definitely fit the kind of offensive structure that I'll bring."

Of course, there are several elements to the Bradford situation, one being whether it might be possible to obtain a franchise quarterback in the draft. Like most observers in Mobile, Pederson said he has been impressed with North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz at North practices the past two days.

"I like him. He's got great size, good mobility, strong kid, good arm," Pederson said. "It'll be interesting to eventually sit down and talk with him to see where he's at mentally, but just by the eye, talented kid, looks like he could play in this league."

Pederson, who identified the offensive line as one of the strengths of this year's draft class, said he hasn't been able to talk to 34-year-old offensive tackle Jason Peters yet, but he wants Peters onboard.

"I think J.P.'s got several good years left in him," Pederson said. "He does the right things in the offseason to get himself ready to go for another year. Really looking forward to visiting with him, sitting down and talking with him, seeing where he's at, and then motivating him for the future."

Pederson confirmed what has been reported previously - that the Eagles' emphasis on sports science will continue, "for the most part."

"I'm new to that world. I didn't grow up in that world," Pederson said. "I'm sitting down with our guys every day, basically, to learn more about it. We'll continue to go forward with it."

There has been little buzz about the filling of the personnel job, working with Howie Roseman, that Jeffrey Lurie spoke of when he announced Pederson's hiring. Lurie is here in Mobile, possibly in aid of that search, though Pederson said he didn't know why Lurie was present. If the Eagles are going to hire someone working in personnel from another team, they might have to wait until after the draft to bring that person aboard.

Pederson won't control the draft, as Kelly did last season, but he clearly expects to have a voice.

"I think the biggest thing is just the evaluation process, and having my say on certain positions, certain guys," Pederson said, when asked about his role in the draft process. "We've talked about this before - it's going to be a collaborative effort."

Pederson hadn't spoken to reporters since hiring ex-Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich as his O.C. On Wednesday, Pederson said that "some of the things (San Diego did) in the passing game down the field I think can really benefit what we do, with our talent and our personnel, and then the things we did (in Kansas City, where Pederson was O.C. ) in the run-pass part of our offense really can be a good blend and a good mix in keeping defenses off-balance."

Reich has done a lot more NFL playcalling than Pederson. Pederson has said he wants to call plays with the Eagles, but Wednesday he indicated he doesn't need to call every play.

"Sometimes when you get in the course of a game, there's times when playcallers can get somewhat stuck or in a rut, and you lean on your coordinators, you lean on the guys that have experience, and Frank's had that," Pederson said. "But we're not at that point yet. Those are discussions that will continue on into training camp as we go."

On Twitter: @LesBowen

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