By Brad Wilson

The Express-Times

Keenan Clayton says he's not worried about making the Philadelphia Eagles' final roster.

Because there’s no point.

“I really can’t concern myself with that,” said the third-year outside linebacker, a fourth-round Eagles draft pick in 2010. “All I can do is give my best and let the coaches decide.”

The mere fact that Clayton is one of the “selected veterans” at the Eagles’ training camp at Lehigh University amid the rookies for the camp’s first three days means that the Oklahoma graduate may well be on the bubble for a roster spot.

"Yeah, I feel like the 'old head' here for the next couple of days," Clayton said. "Me and (sidelined defensive tackle) Mike Patterson."

The 6-foot-1, 229-pound Clayton has made just one start in two seasons and has just 29 defensive tackles in 21 games played. He did have a memorable sack of Aaron Rodgers in the playoff loss to Green Bay in January 2011, but all too often has struggled to make an impact except on special teams.

“All I can do is play every play hard,” he said. “I can’t wait to get into pads.”

Clayton does look like the prototypical modern NFL outside linebacker, smaller but speedy enough to keep up with the new brand of tight end personified by New England’s Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

“I can’t say it’s a trend (towards smaller linebackers), but with the way tight ends look now, like outsized running backs, you have to have linebackers who can run with the tight ends,” Clayton said. “You don’t have the outsized linebackers who are there to stuff the run.”

Clayton just hopes the Eagles still have a linebacker named Keenan Clayton come September.

• COACH SPEAK: The Eagles' offensive coaches met with the media following the morning practice Monday — a rare event as Philadelphia's position coaches are generally off-limits. Defensive coaches will be open for questions today.

Some tidbits from the Monday session:

Wide receiver coach David Culley, on whether DeSean Jackson's contract situation affected his play in 2011: "I think it did, sometimes. It made him inconsistent. You saw the contract come up a couple of times last year, in practice, on the field. Sometimes, once or twice, he was being careful not to get hurt, not being under contract. I think that was human nature. But I've already seen him show more security in the OTAs and I think that's all behind him now."

Culley on whether Riley Cooper is fighting for the No. 4 receiver spot: "I wouldn't say it's Riley's job to lose but there are guys behind him who can really make a splash. I think depth-wise it is (one of the most talented groups in years). I think from top to bottom, the bottom guys are a little more skilled than the guys we've had in the past."

Offensive line coach Howard Mudd on what he wants to see from second-year guard and 2011 first-round pick Danny Watkins: "Comfort in the position and limiting doubt about himself. That tends to happen to players. That is part of the growing process. I call that the 'Valley of Darkness.' You get somewhere and then you start doubting yourself and then the ball is snapped and you don't have a clue where you are. You can be very amateurish. Then things start to click. Then all of a sudden you get there."

Running backs coach Ted Williams on rookies Bryce Brown and Chris Polk: "I'm really impressed with both of them because they work hard and they appear to be intelligent enough to master this offense, which is really the biggest problem you get with kids coming into this offense.

“Chris is faster than I thought he was. He’s bigger than he looked. I didn’t know how athletic (Bryce) was. They’ve got skill, they’ve got talent and they’ve got instincts, and they’re bigger than most guys I’ve ever coached.”

Brad Wilson covers the Eagles for The Express-Times of Easton, Pa. Contact him at 800-360-3601 or bwilson@express-times.com