Eagles and fans gear up for preseason opener at Linc

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Eagles and their fans are gearing up for Sunday's preseason opener at Lincoln Financial Field.

Fans were slowly filling up the lots outside the Linc Sunday morning.

The folks who arrived bright and early are serious about this preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts - and serious about tailgating.

The tailgating bus of one group from Cherry Hill is called "Snowballs at Santa," embracing the sometimes scrappy reputation of Eagles fans.

"We've been doing this for 12 years now," said Jay Pearson. "The bus we've had for four. Labor of love - it's kind of like owning a boat a little bit."

They're out here every home game, and say they trust Chip Kelly's decision to kick off preseason without QB Sam Bradford.

"I was looking forward to seeing Sam today, but I'm on board with what they're doing," said Pearson.

For many, including a group from the Lehigh Valley, half the fun is the spread.

"I'm just the chef and along for the ride," said Jeff Eichman of Allentown. "I'm excited to see my first professional football game. It'll be fun."

AccuWeather was predicting Sunday's high to be in the low 90s.

Fans heading to the game were advised to prepare accordingly, by wearing sunscreen and keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Regarding the game itself, Sam Bradford won't being playing for the Eagles, but all eyes will be on Tim Tebow when he takes his first snaps in an NFL game since the 2013 preseason.

Coach Chip Kelly is holding Bradford out until next week because he missed the 2014 season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in less than a year.

Mark Sanchez will start at quarterback for Philadelphia, with Tebow and Matt Barkley getting most of the reps as they compete for the No. 3 job.

Expect Colts quarterback Andrew Luck to play sparingly, and the rest of the starters may not get much more than one series. A pair of high-profile, free-agent additions will debut for Indianapolis; seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson, along with running back Frank Gore, who spurned Philadelphia to sign with the Colts.

Longtime former Eagles Trent Cole (linebacker) and Todd Herremans (right guard) return to Philadelphia for the first time.

Both teams drafted wideouts in the first round and they'll get to show their stuff for the first time. The Eagles took Nelson Agholor out of Southern California at No. 22 and Indianapolis selected Phillip Dorsett from Miami at No. 29.

It'll be the first game for the Colts since losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game, which began the Deflategate saga.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.