Matt Nordgren believes he can play in the NFL even though he never really
even got a chance to play in college. Nordgren threw just 14 passes at the
University of Texas, completing eight of them for 60 yards. Nordgren actually
had more yards rushing (79) than he did passing. Even with the limited
experience though he finds himself with a chance to move up the depth chart
behind Donovan McNabb. For now, Nordgren is fifth on the depth chart behind
McNabb, Jeff Garcia, Koy Detmer and Timmy Chang. That isn't stopping him from
looking ahead. "Donovan McNabb can whip it pretty good when he wants, but I've
got as strong an arm as anybody there," exclaimed Nordgren, who went to high
school with Eagles running back Ryan Moats.
Moats believes that Nordgren can help the Eagles. "I think he did well," said
Moats of Nordgren's tryout. "Everything that they asked him to do, he did
right."
It's possible that Nordgren will find most of his work at the same place that
he did with Texas, as the holder on field goals and extra points. Detmer has
handled that job for the Eagles during his tenure with the team. It's also
possible that with the Eagles looking to develop a young quarterback that
Nordgren could move up the depth chart. Chang competed in NFL Europe and split
playing time with Drew Henson. Chang completed 56.2% of his passes (50-of-89)
for 659 yards and four touchdowns. Nordgren could find himself headed to Europe
next year for seasoning at that level before the Eagles would seriously consider
putting him into any sort of game situation.