PHILADELPHIA -- When the Eagles took the field for full-team drills Tuesday, Andrew Gardner was at right guard.
Gardner started the preseason opener against Indianapolis. He was back on the field at the same position -- one that has been the subject of perhaps the most intense competition of camp -- on Tuesday afternoon.
“The more work you can get with those guys, the better,” Gardner said. “All reps are good reps.”
The competition isn’t over yet, but Gardner has set the tone. John Moffitt played a lot of downs against the Colts, but showed signs of rust after two years away from the game. Matt Tobin played left tackle. Julian Vandervelde and Josh Andrews got some reps at guard.
“I don’t think there’s ever much separation in this business,” Gardner said. “Chip [Kelly] could come out today and say, 'Andrew Gardner is the starter,’ then two days from now be like, `Never mind.’ Nobody’s ever got anything locked up in this league. I’ll play right guard until they tell me I’m not doing that.”
Kelly and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland have been impressed with Gardner’s performance throughout camp.
“I think Stout feels the same way,” Kelly said. “One thing about Andrew is he’s very consistent. You know what you’re getting. He’s extremely intelligent, he knows how to run angles. He knows where he’s going. He’s not a flashy guy who’s going to go out there and drive a guy back 15 yards, but he’s always in the right spot. He works really hard at it.”
Consistency is important at the guard position. Quarterbacks need to be able to rely on the blockers on the interior of the line, especially quarterbacks coming off an ACL tear, like Sam Bradford.
Gardner started eight games last season, two at right tackle and six at right guard. When Todd Herremans was released in March, it opened up a spot on the line. The competition was on.
“I’ve always been told that when your chance comes, make the most of it,” Gardner said. “Hopefully, I’ve done that, and now I’m in the mix to be the starter this year.”
