The start of training camp allows us to confirm a variety of stories we essentially confirmed months ago.
That extends to Philly, where All-Pro blocker Evan Mathis has shown up for training camp despite his desire for a new deal that would pay him as one of the game's top guards, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Mathis told Philly Mag's Tim McManus that he briefly contemplated a holdout but decided that showing up and continuing to participate was the best course of action.
Like the 49ers, the Eagles haven't shown much interest in back-and-forth negotiations with holdouts -- one reason we saw Vernon Davismake his way to San Francisco's camp after crowing about a new deal all spring.
Mathis has started all but one game for Philly over the past three seasons and stood out last year as a lynchpin in Chip Kelly's athletic front five. He was a rock last season, but that hasn't changed the fact that players rarely hold the cards in these summertime contract-related tales.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" offers up team-by-team training camp previews of the NFC East and NFC West.
