If nothing else, Dan Klecko is a survivor. He always has been willing to do whatever it takes to continue playing the game he loves at the highest level. It has kept him going for six seasons, and earned him two Super Bowl rings. He would very much like to make that seven and three.
Yesterday, the former Temple Owl was back on the practice field for the Eagles, taking part in his first organized team activity since suffering a right calf injury nearly 2 months ago. He is a defensive tackle once again, after being utilized at fullback - a need the club has since addressed - out of necessity much of last season, his first with the Birds.
"I felt just like a rookie," the 5-11, 275-pounder admitted. "I was a little nervous in front of [head coach] Andy [Reid] and everything. I'm at the point where I know what I have to do to stay in the NFL. I've been around it long enough. I think the biggest thing is, I know what to expect. And how hard you've really got to work. Nothing's a surprise any more.
"Fullback was probably the toughest position I've ever played. It's not easy. I have a new respect for the guys who do play it. I'm just glad I have the chance to move back to what I think I do best. I think we have two of the best tackles in the league [in Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley], especially when it comes to stopping the run. And Trevor [Laws] is right there, too. I have to bring a different knack, a quicker, pass-rushing-type d-tackle. You've got to do what you've got to do.
That's what I love.
"I don't think there's going to be any more switching. But they know they can ask me to do anything, that I can take up a couple of roles, be the emergency this or that. That's what I'd like to portray."
Klecko is realistic enough to know he probably is closer to the end than the beginning. Priorities, and perspectives, change. He became a first-time father last September. That obviously brings more responsibilities.
"I worry about it every day," he said. "I look at pictures of my son [Nathan] and my wife [Loni] and I know I've got to provide for them. I've got to be here. That's what I take to my workouts, to practice. I kind of look at it as, I'm a grown man now.
They look up to me. That has to be my mind-set.
"Hopefully he'll go to Harvard of MIT or something like that. He's great. It's been a lot of fun. I've let him hold my rings. We took him to the beach for the first time this weekend. We had him all Phillies-upped, with a Jimmy Rollins T-shirt and everything."
It's a sport. And a profession. The competitor in Klecko wants at least one more chance to contribute. Hopefully, as part of something meaningful.
"I know it sounds cliché, but winning games is what makes this fun," he said. "I've been to the Super Bowl a couple of times [with the Patriots]. I'm still as hungry as I was [as a rookie]. It's just different. Now the hunger is to get back there. I know what an experience it is, and what it's like to be standing on the field when the confetti's falling on you. That's fun.
"We had a great run [last season]. Who would have thought, after the Cincinnati [tie], that we would put together a run like that? It was just [Arizona's] time. It would be great to do it here. I just want to play. I want to win. That's kind of where I'm at."
There are a lot worse places to be. *
Original Story:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/e...
