With mandatory minicamp set to begin for the Eagles on Tuesday, the biggest story on Monday would be the arrival of the two players that weren't around for voluntary workouts weeks earlier.
For Darren Sproles, there wasn't nearly as much fanfare. Sproles was dealing with a family issue and had been in touch with the Eagles about missing the voluntary workouts and was expected to report to minicamps on Monday. He reported and reiterated that his absence had nothing to do with his contract.
But when Fletcher Cox, the Eagles defensive star, arrival, there was much more fanfare. Cox had been a mystery all offseason. He was not only absent from voluntary workouts but not making any indication that he planned to be at mandatory minicamp either. No one within the Eagles organization had an update as those voluntary workouts came and went.
So when Cox was among the final arrivals to Eagles minicamp, there was a sense of relief. The Eagles had their whole team assembled at last and by making appearances on Monday, Cox and Sproles took all of the remaining offseason drama and put it to an end.
For so many weeks, the Sam Bradford saga took center stage. But once Bradford came to terms with the Eagles selecting Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson's praise and confidence in the quarterback to be the starter despite that selection, there was a piece of drama that disappeared. Sure, there would be a potential competition, but it was no longer a question if Bradford would be present or return to the Eagles. He was there and working with Wentz and very much putting the drama that came with his trade request behind him.
With Cox, this was a different story. Bradford is probably not part of the Eagles long-term future plans barring an incredible season. Cox is very much a part of the long-term plan. So his happiness and attendance took on a greater meaning.
The arrival of Cox at minicamp was a welcome sight then, because as with Bradford's arrival at voluntary workouts, there is a sense that the focus returns to on-the-field activities and to preparation for the upcoming season and not the off-the-field drama that grabbed so much attention in the weeks prior.
For Cox, this is also going to be an invaluable period for him to learn the new schemes and systems under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Being a focal point of the defense, Cox garners a lot of praise for what he's already done in his career, and there's reason to believe that under Schwartz, he could elevate his game to a whole new level.
And if that learning period had to wait until training camp opened in July, Cox may have ended up further behind his teammates in becoming accustomed to the changes between last season and the upcoming season. Now, there is no more waiting to see what will happen. There's just football, the way it should be for the Eagles.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
