Derrick Frazier was the hand-picked successor to Eric Allen. Tim Harris was supposed to replace Reggie White. Macho Harris got the first crack at Brian Dawkins’ spot. It was Andre Dillard’s job to take over for Jason Peters.
It’s not easy replacing a legend, but Cam Jurgens seems to have the perfect combination of mental and physical ability to do it.
Jurgens on Friday will become the first Eagles center other than Jason Kelce to start a season opener since Jamaal Jackson in 2010.
If the pressure of replacing one of the greatest centers in football history is affecting him, nobody has noticed.
Nothing bothers Cam. He just goes out and plays football.
“I think he's done exceptionally well,” Lane Johnson said before practice Sunday. “Obviously, Kelce is a one-in-a-million-type player, but I think Kelce saw a lot of attributes in Cam as far as his movement skills, his athleticism, (and) he’s worked his tail off.
“For him, he keeps it pretty simple. I think when you do that, you're able to focus more and you're not trying to be a hero, you're not trying to be Jason Kelce every snap, he's being Cam Jurgens. It’s hard, you know? I came here, I had to replace Jason Peters (at left tackle) - or so I thought and then he's still playing now (as of 2023). A lot of it's about being focused and becoming the best you.”
