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Doug Pederson on Mike Lombardi's criticism: 'I'm confident in what I do.'

Pederson said players and coaches would not agree with the critique.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson says he remains confident in his abilities.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson says he remains confident in his abilities.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer

Doug Pederson paid little attention to former NFL executive Mike Lombardi's comments about him on The Ringer NFL Show podcast, where Lombardi said Pederson "might be less qualified to coach a team than anyone I've ever seen in my 30-plus years in the NFL."

"I'm confident in what I do," Pederson said Monday. "He's not in the building. I coach our coaches and coach our players. I think if you ask any one of your players or assistant coaches, I think they would maybe say something a little bit different. I haven't read the article, so I can't respond to it."

Lombardi, who was the Eagles' director of pro personnel in 1998, has also worked for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and New England Patriots. He said Pederson was "barely a coordinator" even though Pederson spent three years as Andy Reid's offensive coordinator in Kansas City, and that he thought the Eagles looked "increasingly sloppy and unprepared" last season.

"Somebody here, [Jeffrey] Lurie, Howie [Roseman], the guys, thought I was qualified," Pederson said. "In my opinion, that's good enough for me. Again, this organization is behind me 100 percent. Again, I think you could ask the guys in the locker room, and that's my concern; that's my focus."

Pederson has received support from the locker room. He went 7-9 in his first year as coach and enters a critical second season. He knows that winning will be the most effective way to quell criticism.

"That's what you see, is the wins and losses and nothing else," Pederson said. "I pour myself into these guys each and every day. I want them to see that. Hey, I think you can just ask these guys how well, or the things I need to work on. They'll tell you. They'll also tell you the good that's going on, as well."

EXTRA POINTS

The Eagles returned for a light practice on Monday. Pederson expects to have all 53 players on the active roster healthy when the Eagles have their first full practice session on Wednesday. …Pederson said wide receiver Alshon Jeffery "seems like he's eager and ready to go" after the coach rested the star wide receiver often during training camp. …In his first comments since the Eagles set the 53-man roster, Pederson said the Eagles are in a "better position roster-wise obviously going into this season than we were a year ago." …Even though the Eagles believe they have eight starting-caliber offensive linemen, only seven will be active on game days. Guard Chance Warmack is likely to be inactive even though he received a contract extension.