Brad-Wing.jpg

Brad Wing, right, didn't pass the conditioning test on his first try.

(By Jordan Raanan, NJ.com)

Chip Kelly played it coy. The new Eagles coach didn't want to provide much detail about the conditioning test that two rookies already failed and the veterans took Thursday afternoon after they arrived for training camp.

"We've got a running test," Kelly said after running back Matthew Tucker and punter Brad Wing failed earlier in the week. "It's a conditioning test. It's a series of sprints with rest time in between, and it varies by position."

Clearly Kelly isn't big on providing details about his training regiment. That's been evident from the day he arrived. It's as if he runs a top-secret space program that is manufacturing sensitive government information when, in fact, he's running a football program whose job is to try and win games. When pressed about his innovative training techniques, Kelly has tried to offer as little information as possible without being rude.

I don't blame him. That's his prerogative. He's trying to make sure his team has a competitive advantage. But my job as a reporter is to find out the information. So I did.

Here's how I understand the conditioning tests:

• Linemen have to do 20 40-yard sprints. Each in under seven seconds.

• Linebackers and tight ends have to do 20 50-yard sprints. Each in under eight seconds.

• Skill-position players have to do 20 60-yard sprints. Each in under nine seconds.

Players are allowed to rest in between sprints. They are given more time as the test goes on.

This isn't anything unique. In fact, it's quite similar to conditioning tests that Andy Reid used over the years, according to several players.

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At least a handful of Eagles players didn't even know how fast they were expected to run. They only knew how many sprints and the distance. The common belief is that if they're in good shape, making the mandated time for their position wouldn't be a problem.