Eagles Notes: Eagles top pick Johnson puts pen to paper

Lane Johnson officially signed his contract on Monday morning, fulfilling the promise he gave the Eagles when they drafted him that he will arrive at camp on time.

"I think it's very important, especially as a rookie you don't want to miss any time to learn or learn from other players," Johnson said. "Being out here with the guys from the start of things will be beneficial for me."

Johnson spent two weeks working out with guard Evan Mathis in Arizona, where Mathis owns an athletic-performance facility. Johnson is expected to be the Eagles' starting right tackle this season.

"I expect to compete at a high level from day one," Johnson said. "Going into the season, I want to start and compete every day."

Johnson weighed in at 308 pounds, which he said is in the proper range for him. He bears significant expectations as the No. 4 overall pick - the highest Eagles draft pick since Donovan McNabb in 1999 - and a projected opening-day starter. Johnson said the pressure has crossed his mind, but he's trying to avoid focusing on that aspect of his arrival.

"I can't control everybody's expectations," he said. "I've got pretty high expectations of my own. I think if I go out there and play hard, everything will take care of itself."

The Eagles were able to get offsetting language in Johnson's contract, meaning if they one day cut him, his contract with the next team will be offset against the money owed by the Eagles. General manager Howie Roseman did not want to get into specifics about negotiations, but said it's important for the team to get uniform language in all their contracts.

The point will be moot if Johnson has a long career in Philadelphia.

"Hopefully, we're talking about another contract in a couple of years," Roseman said.

Center Jason Kelce said he's been medically cleared for full participation in training camp after tearing ligaments in his right knee.

"I'll be full-go," Kelce said. "I don't know when I'll be taking every single snap, but as far as I know from the medical staff, I've been cleared."

This is consistent with the schedule presented to Kelce throughout the offseason. He took part in some team drills during the minicamps, which was ahead of schedule. He will wear knee braces on both knees.

"[I'm] kind of upset I didn't play last year with a brace - then I wouldn't have torn my knee, maybe," Kelce said.

He wore braces on both knees in college, but he stopped upon arriving in the NFL because it's less common for linemen.

"That was kind of the culture," Kelce said. "I just did what everyone else was doing as a young guy. And there's no guarantee that if you have the brace on you're not going to tear it, but I can tell you this: I do not want to go through another ACL reconstruction, so I'm going to wear both braces this year."

Roseman joked that "versatility is very key" when asked about DeSean Jackson's recent rap video, before saying that players are entitled to have whatever hobbies they like as long as they remain in shape and are ready to perform. . . . Roseman said the Eagles have more flexibility at the bottom of their roster than in past seasons, and it will take some time for the team to find the right fits. That could mean roster turnover throughout camp. . . . Kelce, Brandon Graham, and Connor Barwin were at the facility on Monday, even though they are not due to report until Thursday.

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