Coach Andy Reid announced that King Dunlap will replace Demetress Bell as the first-team left tackle.
Bell was signed after All-Pro Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon in March. Reid called it a “scheduled switch,” and said it’s not a reflection of the way Bell has been playing in training camp and the first preseason game.
“King’s been with us for a while and he deserves that opportunity,”
Reid said. “Demetress has done a good job. He’s worked hard, so he’s doing fine. But I just want to make sure. I want to make sure everybody has their shot there.”
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Bell is on a learning curve having signed as a free agent from Buffalo.
“Any time you are in a new system, there is quite a bit of learning to do,” Mornhinweg said Monday. “There are two things that come right to the front of my mind, and that is the terminology and the details in terms of how exactly we want to get it done. Yeah, he’s right in the middle of that process.”
Dunlap has played mostly right tackle in his career but he knows the offense and has earned a right to compete at left tackle.
“There is great competition there, and there are several men there who will do the job,” Mornhinweg said. This is one of the things that training camp is for. If somebody has earned an opportunity, then we will certainly in every case try to give them an opportunity.”