Safeties ignore talk, looking to reward coaching staff’s trust

Kurt Coleman has heard all the chatter. The Eagles safeties are too young, too inexperienced. They can’t cover tight ends, struggle in coverage down the field.

It is what it is.

“I think we have a great group of guys, and we have a lot of talent,” Coleman said. “Let the field speak for itself.”

The field is shouting that Coleman has what it takes to be an NFL starter. Coach Andy Reid wasted no time when asked which safeties would be patrolling the secondary to start the 2012 season: Coleman and Nate Allen.

“It means a lot, you know, coming out of an injury you never know how things re going to go,” Coleman said. “The coaches have a lot of confidence in me and what I can do on the field.”

The safety position has been hotly debated the entire offseason after a roller-coaster ride in 2011. Journeyman Jarrad Page started the season opener, alongside Coleman, as Allen dealt with knee tendinitis. Allen finally did reclaim his spot, but he struggled.

“That knee, it was just weak last year and now I feel good. I feel strong,” Allen said.

Last season, Coleman and Allen were benched off and on for inconsistent play. Many were clamoring for the Eagles to draft Alabama’s Mark Barron. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

“You look at it, we led the group in interceptions, the safeties over the secondary,” Coleman said. “You know, that says something. At the same time, we also did things wrong. We have a lot of room to improve. That’s what these OTAs are all about.”