SREDENSCHEK: "For The Old Guys," Sproles' extension is something new

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Once upon a time, in a land far away, a team president named Joe Banner was allergic to the number 30. Hit the age, the retirement home was waiting with a gold watch. Player deals were done to get the most out of a player...before he hit that taboo 30. The horror of it!

Fast forward to training camp 2016, where the Eagles currently have 8 players over the magic number: Allen Barbre, Brent Celek, Jon Dorenbos (maybe he's still productive with a trick or 2), Andrew Gardner, Donnie Jones, Leodis McKelvin, Jason Peters and Darren Sproles.

Sproles signed an extension Friday that will keep with the Eagles through 2017. Is he productive? Is he still fast? You bet. But Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman went out of his way Friday to praise the leadership qualities Sproles still brings to the Birds, both on the field and in the young locker room.

It's been 1 of the fun parts of this pad-less camp so far: watching the "old" guys teach and set an example. It's still fun to watch Brent Celek and soon-to-be 30 year Connor Barwin (he gets "old" on October 15) teach young guys. They are hands-on. They are involved. They take every drill like they're in the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. They are example setters, and the Eagles are lucky to have them.

Not a lot of grey on these old guys yet. Just a lot of wisdom to impart and hopefully a little football left as well.