Eagles OTA notes: McCoy didn't want to 'act the fool'

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles eliminated a potential major training camp distraction last week when they signed running back LeSean McCoy to a five-year, $43 million contract extension that includes nearly $21 million in guaranteed money.

McCoy, one of the league's top backs, was in the last year of a rookie contract that would have earned him just $615,000 this season.

Last year, wide receiver DeSean Jackson let his uncertain contract situation affect his play.

Jackson had an off year. The Eagles didn't want to risk the same thing happening with McCoy.

"Me and DeSean are great friends, but everybody handles things differently," McCoy said. "I try and do things the right way. I go out every week and work hard in practice and in the games and play my heart out. I didn't want to act the fool and do the wrong thing because I wasn't raised like that. I want to do the right things by showing up and being a team guy, all the things that I really am."

--Quarterback Michael Vick, who is coming off one of the poorest seasons of his career, said he thinks the full offseason of workouts and classroom work will be a big benefit to both himself and his teammates.

"Last year at this time, we would've been off probably vacationing or something," he said. "Now, we're out here detailing our work and trying to get better as individuals and better as a team. Everything happens for a reason, and this year, there's a chance for us to jell together and know one another and work on being the best players we can be."

--Linebacker Jamar Chaney who started 16 games last season, including 14 at "Mike" and two at "Sam," has been moved to the weak side where he will compete against last year's starting weak-side or Will linebacker, Brian Rolle.

The Eagles upgraded in acquiring Pro Bowl middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans in a trade with Houston and selecting their projected strong-side starter, Mychal Kendricks, in the second round.

While Rolle started 13 games at Will last season as a rookie, he's just 5-9. Considering that Kendricks is only 5-11, the Eagles probably will be reluctant to start two sub-six-foot linebackers.

"May the best man win if it's just me and him (Rolle) battling it out," said Chaney, who had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck in January, but has been cleared to participate in the Eagles' OTAs. "Nothing in my life has ever been given to me. You always have to work for it. I prefer it like that."

Chaney was a seventh-round pick of the Eagles in the 2010 draft.

--The only three veterans not participating in the Eagles' first round of voluntary OTAs this week are defensive end Jason Babin, defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins and linebacker Keenan Clayton. Babin isn't here because he's on vacation in Alaska.

Clayton had surgery Wednesday to repair a sports hernia, which will keep him sidelined until the start of training camp in late July.

--Kurt Coleman is running ahead of 2011 second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett at strong safety.

--One of the Eagles' more interesting training camp battles this summer will be the battle for the fourth wide receiver job between third-year man Riley Cooper and rookie sixth-round pick Marvin McNutt. McNutt has looked impressive in last week's rookie camp and this week's OTAs.