Chip Kelly, new-look Eagles have big plans for tight ends in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – Less than a week into his first training camp, it's clear that new Eagles coach Chip Kelly is going to rely on his tight ends.

As Kelly implements his high-octane system in Philadelphia, expect more and more dump-off passes to Brent Celek and Co., and that's not such a bad thing. After all, Kelly has a three-man rotation at tight end so far, and there have been times at practice this week, where they have been on the field at the same time.

"At the goal line," Celek said. "But we're doing it now in the middle of the field (too). I love it. I mean the more tight ends out there the better, right?"

Kelly said in April — when he made Stanford's Zach Ertz was drafted at No. 35 overall — that he would have no problem using a three-man set at the position. So far — especially now with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin out — he's been a man of his word. Free-agent signee James Casey is No. 3, and has been used as an H-back out of the backfield.