It has been said that for some NFL players it takes a few years for the proverbial light to go on. Just as it did last year for former second-round pick Winston Justice, it might have gone on for another former second-round pick.

Trevor Laws was the Eagles' top pick in 2008 after a monster senior season at Notre Dame. In the mold of a Mike Patterson, Laws was drafted to be a third defensive tackle and eventually push either Patterson or Brodrick Bunkley for a starting job. Laws played in all 16 games of his rookie season, but was inactive for five regular season games last season and accumulated just 12 total tackles.

Laws dedicated himself to the Eagles offseason conditioning program and put on 20 pounds of muscle and is now at 305 pounds.

"I buckled down this offseason. I knew what was at stake this year. I knew I needed to step it up," Laws said. "Just watching the film and going over it from last year this offseason, I saw myself taking on double teams and I realized I'm going against 350-pound men. I might need a little more junk in the trunk."

In addition, Laws has a bit of luck on his side. For the first time at the start of training camp, Laws is completely healthy.

"It's definitely the first Eagles camp I've been to where I've been 100 percent," Laws said. "I feel good out there. It's definitely the best I've felt at this point in the year. I'm making a lot more plays than I've ever had. I'm pretty excited about it."

And it's not just Laws talking up his game.

"I think Trevor has had a great offseason," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "I've seen an improved player out there right now and he is working his tail off to get better each and every day and it started really back in February. He's come out with an aggressive attitude and that's what I wanted to see. I like what I see so far out of Trevor."

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 7:00 a.m., August 2