Coleman Licks His Chops at Playing Opportunity

Eagles seventh-round pick Kurt Coleman was called into some extra duty during his first preseason game Friday night. The rookie safety was forced into playing most of the final three quarters against Jacksonville after fellow backup safeties Antoine Harris and Quintin Demps went down with injuries.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder responded with some big hits and a pass defended while leading the Birds with six tackles.

We caught up with Coleman after the game to get his thoughts:

On the speed of real-game action against NFL players:

“Really the speed of the game was pretty natural. I think practicing with this team we’ve gone live so many times that the speed of the game was real natural.”

On his first preseason action:

“I had a good time out there. The first couple of times you kinda got the jitterbugs -- get ‘em out of there and everything just comes natural. You gotta play within your game, within the 1/11th of the defense or special teams and have fun.”

On being called to play three quarters:

“I wasn’t expecting the whole three quarters. But every play I got better and better. I gotta go back and reevaluate myself but I think the more experience the better it is for me.”

On his big special teams hit on Jags’ punt returner Deji Karim:

“Anytime you can get a big lick on somebody it feels really good. Especially when you hear them make that little face that you took the wind out of them -- that’s a really good feeling.”

On the Eagles fans' energy:

“That’s what Philly fans are all about, they love their team... they respect us.”

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