Eagles' Lane Johnson ready to take leadership role

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror and there was one glaring need the Eagles failed to address.

It's been two years since the Birds took an offensive lineman, Lane Johnson, with the fourth overall pick.

But it might as well have been a lifetime ago.

"It feels like 100 years ago. It's crazy how fast time flies. I'm already going into my third year, before you blink. Just trying to take every day like it's your last and really cherish it while I'm here," Johnson said.

What a difference a year makes for Johnson.

Last year during the voluntary offseason workouts, Lane knew he had a four game suspension looming for performance enhancing drugs.

Despite that, he finished strong, rated by one publication as the second-best right tackle in the NFL.

"I think last year I played really well. I only gave up one sac. I feel a lot more comfortable out there and now I feel even a lot more comfortable than last year, just knowing my offense, my confidence is improved, you feel like you know what's coming. I feel like this year is going to be my biggest leap," Johnson said.

He needs it to be.

After all, Chip Kelly released longtime veteran Todd Herremans and the rest of the line is getting up there in age.

Johnson says he's now ready to take on a veteran's role.

"I think I've matured. Just knowing the offense, I feel a lot more comfortable out there and everything's not going by so fast. You can really take ownership of the position and just grow," Johnson said.