Most players are thrilled to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

But Fletcher Cox sounded more excited than usual when the Eagles made him the 12th overall selection in the 2012 draft after just three seasons at Mississippi State.

"I'm excited," he said at the time. "Very excited."

Indeed, a mini celebration had broken out at his Mississippi home, for he wanted to be an Eagle ... and nothing other than an Eagle.

Sunday in Cleveland, he will get that chance. Though he did not practice fully Thursday due to a swollen knee, the defensive tackle will be in the mix, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo said.

Cox is confident that he has learned everything necessary about the Birds' defensive line requirements and has been imagining running onto a field in an Eagles uniform for a regular-season game.

 

“The preseason is the preseason,” he said. “The season opens Sunday. It's going to be loud. Everybody is going to be hyped. I know I just have to be ready to go.”

 

 

Check out the complete Eagles coverage, including videos, in the Daily Times Friday and, as always, on delcotimes.com