Eager Eagles gearing up for young Browns

PHILADELPHIA — Looking for a fast start, the Philadelphia Eagles couldn't pick a better opponent for the season opener.

The Cleveland Browns have 15 rookies on the roster, including starting quarterback Brandon Weedon and running back Trent Richardson. They're coming off a 4-12 season, and they're just 1-12 in Week 1 since returning to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999.

All that factors into why the Eagles are a 9-point favorite on the road Sunday. But they have to make sure to avoid a letdown, especially early when emotions are high.

"The initial excitement of getting out there, starting a new season, fired up and ready to start off on a great note," linebacker DeMeco Ryans said Friday. "You're going to get a little overly excited because it's the first game. It happens. But I think after a quarter or so, guys kind of settle in, settle down and settle into it. Of course, that first one, that first quarter, everybody's going to be overhyped and over-amped.

"Everybody's going to be all into it."