WR Alshon Jefferey talks to reporters after Saturday’s practice. Photo by Al Thompson

Saturday was the Eagles first day playing in pads and the bullets were flying during the two-hour practice held at the NovaCare Center.

It was originally scheduled as an open practice at Lincoln Financial Field but was changed to a closed practice with a late afternoon start time because  the Eagles feared there was severe weather coming for Saturday morning (that never came).

The open practice will now take place Sunday at the Linc with a 10:00 a.m. start.

The talk of this young camp so far is the play of wide receiver Alshon Jefferey, a free agent acquisition this offseason.

Jefferey had starred with the Chicago since was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Pro Bowler signed a one-year $14 million deal this spring. He has not disappointed, making acrobatic catch after catch.

Jefferey muscled a ball away from veteran defensive back Patrick Robinson in a one-on-one drill that was at a caliber not seen these parts since Terrell Owens helped the Birds make a Super Bowl in 2004.

“It was was great,” Jefferey said after practice. “Carson was doing a really good job and the rest of the receivers were getting open as well.

Fans will no doubt pack the Linc Sunday to see him for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Jeffery said with a smile. “I heard it’s a really good fan base just like in Chicago. I believe it’s going to be a great relationship. I am a tough critic, so take it all in stride.”

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Lane Johnson was back…with his weird blonde wig again. He is determined to change the conversation from his past mistakes – getting suspended  for PED violations in two the four seasons he has been an

Eagle. Humor is way one would suppose but fans want to see him in uniform playing at a Pro Bowl level.

Saturday he talked about his first day in pads.

“You can be a lot more physical in the run game, you can really go down hill like you want to,” Johnson said of their first real practice of the year. “It’s adjusting to. It take a little time to get in the rhythm of having these things (pads) on. Maybe tomorrow it will be a little bit better.”

Johnson was seen limping slightly at one point in practice. The fourth year pro said not to worry.

“I rolled my ankle a little bit on a linebacker,” Johnson said. “But I’m alright.”

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Derek Barnett talked about finally playing against tackles like Lane Johnson and Jason Peters in full pads and live action.

“It’s really good,” Barnett said. “I’m going against guys who are really good. I’m seeing the best athletes who take on rushers. They’re only going to  prepare me to get ready for the season. I keep saying, I’m in a really good spot going against two really good tackles. I’t only going to help me get ready for the season.”

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Carson Wentz is clearly the man  charge this year. He looks lean but stout. His passes are crisp and with purpose.

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Isaac Seumalo is entrenched with the ones at left guard. The unit was solid all day, both with pass protection and run blocking.

The second unit was Matt Tobin at left tackle, Chance Warmack at left guard, Stefen Wisniewski at center, Josh Andrews at right tackle and Halapoulivaati Vaitai at right tackle.

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Defensive back Patrick Robinson, a free agent acquisition this offseason is staking his claim as the starting right cornerback.

Robinson, who was drafted by New Orleans in 2010 but last year played for the Indianapolis Colts, made several pass breakups of Wentz.