Preseason game number three nears. The first cuts follow two days later. A popular player was released a few days ago. The Eagles locker room is the place to be, for sure. As the team finished its week of practice -- a full week, which gave head coach Andy Reid a chance to give the new players a taste for how things are run during the regular season -- the locker room was buzzing. A trip around the locker room revealed some interesting tidbits ...

Bunkley And His New Body

Why has Brodrick Bunkley become so much better of a player now than he was a year ago? There are probably a lot of factors, and internal motivation is likely at the head of the list.

But Bunkey has also changed his diet and, thus, changed his body. And it was certainly fascinating to talk to him on Friday about it. Let's back up to his pre-NFL combine days. Bunkley and his team strategized that the lone rap on his game was his weight. Some of the pre-pre draft reports had Bunkley weighing around 285 pounds, so Bunkley went on a strict body-building program prior to the NFL Combine to boost his weight. He had played at Florida State at about 295 pounds, and he weighed in at 305 pounds at the Combine.

Once the Eagles drafted him, Bunkley lost some of his routine habits, but retained his appetite and ate, in his words "too much junk food." He also missed time while working out his rookie contract and reported to Philadelphia last summer weighing 325 pounds.

"It was too much," he said.

Now Bunkley is back to where he wants to be. He is playing at about 298 pounds and he feels strong and light on his feet.

"It has made a big difference," said Bunkley. "I haven't had my big breakout game yet, but I feel like it's coming. I'm making good progress. I'm pretty happy with the way things are going."

Bunkley has a big challenge on Sunday against a Steelers offense that likes to play smash-mouth football. It is going to be a physical, nasty battle up front.

"That's the kind of team they are," he said. "You have to be ready to mix it up. I'm going to have some fun in this game."

Gaither: A Different Kind Of Week

Omar Gaither had a similar week to this last season when he reported to the NovaCare Complex the day after the Eagles lost to Indianapolis and found out on that Monday that he was starting the following Monday at WILL linebacker against Carolina. Gaither went on to play well and start the remainder of the season.

This week, of course, Gaither has had another tumultuous week. The Eagles released veteran Jeremiah Trotter and promoted Gaither to the starting job in the middle and here he is.

"You notice the difference right away," said Gaither. "You take a lot of extra reps in practice, make sure to take even more care of your body, get in the cold tub, things like that. It's been emotional. It really has been a different kind of week for me.

"I'm enjoying it, though. I'm handling it well. I think it means that the coaches have confidence in me and what I can do, and that's a good thing. My approach is to go out there and play my game and do the things that got me here. I'm not feeling any extra pressure or anything like that. If you prepare well and know what you are supposed to be doing, you can go out and let your natural skills come out."

Gaither is one of three 2006 draft picks starting for the defense now, joining Bunkley and SAM linebacker Chris Gocong. Suddenly, the kids are all grown up.

"This is the NFL," said Gaither. "You're here for a reason. The coaches keep you around to play and when you are on the field, it doesn't matter how much experience you have or how old you are. You're expected to play."

Nick Cole: "Natural Leverage"

His is not the prototype body for an NFL guard. Nick Cole is 6 feet, 350 or so pounds. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Cole is looked at in an admiring way by the Eagles coaching staff. He gets the start at right guard on Sunday night against Pittsburgh's 3-4 alignment. More than likely, Cole will see nine-year veteran Aaron Smith quite a bit.

Whomever Cole blocks, he gives up a lot, uh, vertically.

"I guess I have natural leverage," he said, laughing.

Truth is, Cole has been quietly enjoying a very good spring and summer. He was a surprise to those who weren't paying attention last year and made the roster as a backup center and occasional fullback on short-yardage situations. Cole expanded his game in the off-season, working diligently on his hands and footwork to include some time at guard, too.

Now he is about to start in a nationally-televised game.

"My mom is excited about it, I know that," he said. "I'm just going to go out there and play and do my best."

Cole started for three years at guard and tackle at New Mexico State. The absence of Shawn Andrews has given the Eagles a chance to look at their young guards, so they have started Scott Young, Max Jean-Gilles and now Cole in the preseason. The hope is that the experience will pay off down the line.

Cole hopes to make a long-lasting impression playing a rough-and-tumble game. Here is how he defines the job of an offensive lineman: "You've got to be dirty, you've got to be tough and you've got to be smart. It's not an easy job, but someone's got to do it. You can't worry about the glory or you'll never make it."

Too true. Cole has the perspective. We will find out about the game on Sunday night.

Avant And His Progress

By now it is clear how instrumental Jason Avant will be in the Eagles' passing game. He is the team's primary slot receiver, although in the offense each receiver has to have a full understanding of every route run on each play.

"Everything works off of each route," said Avant. "It's a system that is built in, similar to the way we did it at the University of Michigan."

Avant's off-season included "taking care of the details," and he has made the most of his opportunity. With strong hands and sharp route-running skills, Avant has climbed the ladder quickly in his second season in Philadelphia. Avant is a deeply religious young man and he attributes his success to his faith.

Certainly, he has come along well after catching seven passes as a rookie.

"Things are moving a lot slower for me. The game has slowed down," said Avant. "I feel so much more comfortable than I did last year. I'm just thankful every time I have an opportunity step on the field and contribute."

Veteran Perspective: Locker Room Focused

Sheldon Brown has been around long enough to understand the business of the NFL. He knows that players come and go quickly and that the true goal for each player is to secure a job on any team in the league.

"You are putting your game on tape for every team in the league to see," he said. "It only takes one team to fall in love with you."

With that as a backdrop, then, Brown said the fallout from the release of Trotter has been minimal. Players move on. The names change all the time, and the players who are able to keep their focus are the ones who have the most success.

"It's not a distraction at all," said Brown. "We know that we have to prepare for Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Whoever is here has that job to do. You learn early in your career that it's a business and that you have to approach it that way. I'm quite sure Jeremiah still thinks he can play, and teams seem to be interested. It just ended here for him. We all wish him luck.

"I love this defense. I think we are improving every day, working together and making sure that we do what we can to get ready for the season. That's it. You only deal with what happens in this locker room. All that other stuff doesn't matter."