When is the right time to turn things over to a young player? Last year right about this time, Brodrick Bunkley showed up at the NovaCare Complex for the offseason conditioning program a new man, a different player, a person who vowed to make a difference in the second year of his NFL career. And it made me think: Why did the Eagles basically entrust a starting defensive tackle position to a player who had, on the surface, done not very much to earn the promotion?

"You have to know the player and watch him every day," said head coach Andy Reid a few months later, after the slim and trim and hard-working Bunkley affirmed the step up with his play on the field and his approach off. "You're around these guys so much that you get a feel for how ready they are to seize the moment. Brodrick had all the physical skills. But he came in late as a rookie and never caught up. We saw late in his rookie season that he was approaching things the right way and that he was ready to make his move."

So it gets me to thinking: Which young Eagles are being counted on in the same way? There are a handful, to be sure, who are going to step into prominent roles in 2008. Some are penciled already, like Stewart Bradley and Akeem Jordan at the linebacker positions. Some need to make a move, like offensive tackle Winston Justice and running back Tony Hunt.

Here is my short list, and then on to some other things on my mind today ...

• Stewart Bradley: Well, he's got a chance to win a starting job this year as the Eagles go with their so-very-young group of linebackers. Bradley has worked his rear end off in the months since the 2007 season ended. He is in fantastic shape, he knows the system and he has a chance to make a forceful impact this year. Bradley played his way into the front lobe of the coaches' minds late last year. He is ready for the promotion.
• Akeem Jordan: The more I hear about him, the more I realize how much the coaching staff loves this kid. He may or may not start, but Jordan is going to play a lot from the line of scrimmage and on special teams. He is a great athlete who has the physical tools and the mental discipline to really help this defense.
• Brent Celek: Again, he has been diligent in his offseason approach and appears to have gained some muscle. He looks great. Celek needs to come through as the second tight end here, a valuable role that didn't give the Eagles much production last year. Celek is in line for a large jump this season.
• Tony Hunt: The young players come in next week for the offseason conditioning program and I am looking forward to seeing Hunt on a regular basis. He didn't play much at all last year and was, I'm sure, very disappointed. And even with Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter ahead of him, Hunt has a chance to earn some niche in the offense right now. But he has to earn it. He has to show he is worthy.
• Victor Abiamiri: The second-year defensive end from Notre Dame wants to start. Good for him. He should set high goals. The Eagles have big plans for Abiamiri. At the very least, he needs to work into the rotation at defensive end and be productive in every phase of the game. At the high end, a starter's role is there to be had on the left side. But with Juqua Parker (formerly Thomas, more on that below) and Chris Clemons on board, there is some real competition.
• Kevin Kolb: Can't wait to see him, see if he has added a pound or two, some muscle. See what kind of understanding of the offense he has added since I last saw him play in the preseason.
• Winston Justice: Obviously, this is a critical year. Justice is working hard, and he knows he has to get better. The Eagles have a pair of offensive tackles who are in the final year of their contacts and who knows what the future holds for William Thomas and Jon Runyan. Justice has to show the Eagles he can play, and play at a high level, at either tackle spot.

So that's my list. I've seen a lot of players in the last many weeks here working out on their own. The official program begins next week, with some young players very much in the spotlight.

NEWS AND NOTES AND THIS AND THAT

• Juqua Thomas has legally changed his name to Juqua Parker, something his late father requested of him years ago. "My father died in 2005, but before that he asked me to change my name to Parker. That was his last name. I just took a long time to get around to doing it. My dad wanted it this way and that's why I did it."
• The Eagles had Dan Klecko, formerly of New England and Indianapolis after a fine career at Temple, in for a workout this week. No next step regarding Klecko has been made.
• From what I hear, the NFL schedule is going to come out in April, but not necessarily on the April 3 date, which is what many say. Could be a few days later than that. No definitive time has been announced.
• Temple opens its home football season on Saturday, September 6 against Connecticut. I can't imagine that the NFL would then schedule the Eagles for their home opener the next day. So there are some possibilities: The Eagles could open Thursday night at the Giants, or host a Monday night game or head to the road -- again -- for a fourth straight game on the road to open the season.