Trying to recover from his second shoulder surgery in three years, he is currently listed as the backup to Quintin Mikell and is fighting just to earn a roster spot.

"Right now, it's 'Q's' job, no question about it," Johnson said Tuesday. "We'll play the best player, but the (starting) lineup is pretty well set."

NFL players rarely lose their starting jobs because of injuries, but Mikell played so well in Considine's absence - Considine missed the last eight games after spraining his left shoulder - that he earned the right to take over.

Even Considine admitted as much, though he fully intends to challenge for the job in training camp and during the preseason.

"Once you've had that feeling of starting, that's what you want to do," Considine said Tuesday.

"But at the same time, you understand that this is a team game and you tip your cap to a guy like Quintin Mikell who comes in there and played great when he had the opportunity.

"I know my situation. I trust that coach (Andy) Reid and coach Johnson are here to win and they're looking for the best situation for the football team, not the best situation for Sean Considine. If you're a team player, you accept that. It's up to me to improve on the things I need to improve on and do what I can do to help the team."

Right now, his role is to help rookie safety Quintin Demps and some other younger players get a grasp of Johnson's complex system before Dawkins, Mikell and the rest of the veterans take the field for Saturday's practice.

After that, Considine's main goal is to get to the point where he is able to regain his reputation as a ferocious hitter and solid pass defender. That means playing without thinking about whether his shoulder is going to hold up.

He first hurt it late in his rookie season of 2005 and missed the final seven games. In 2006, he replaced struggling Michael Lewis midway through the season and went on to post 107 tackles and an interception, then added 13 more stops during the playoffs.

His shoulder started bothering him again last season, however, and it showed in his play. He missed a few key tackles, then got burned for game-deciding touchdowns in losses to Chicago and Dallas before he consented to undergo another operation.

"It was tough because I thought I had a couple of decent games, but then I got nicked up and my level of play slipped," Considine said. "It was frustrating because I never had the opportunity last season to really show what I'm capable of doing. That's what this year is for."

Considine's strongest trait could be his lack of cockiness. Although the 6-foot, 202-pounder has a quiet self-confidence, he also has a humble quality that can be traced to his Midwestern upbringing.

Before heading to the University of Iowa as a walk-on, the native of Byron, Ill., had a series of menial summer jobs. At 13, he spent 10 hours a day - 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. - pulling tassels off ears of corn in 100-degree heat for $4.25 an hour. The next year, he cleaned toilets in a nearby campground.

Maybe that's why the 25-year-old would be willing to play special teams this season if he can't beat out Mikell.

"I played special teams my second year and I was pretty good at it," said Considine, who had 26 special teams tackles in 2006. "I actually enjoy special teams and if that's my role, then I'll accept it.

"But I came here to compete for the starting job."

EXTRA POINTS: According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, the Lions are interested in signing former Eagles linebacker Takeo Spikes, who was released after last season. Spikes was the Eagles' starting weakside linebacker before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that caused him to miss the last two games.

"He gives you a wealth of experience," Lions coach Rod Marinelli told the Free Press. "He's played at a tremendous level, and I think he's still got a lot of rubber left on the tires."

The Eagles will hold just one workout today at 8:45 a.m. Veterans are required to report to Lehigh by 5 p.m. Both cornerback Lito Sheppard and running back Brian Westbrook are expected to show up.

E-mail David Weinberg:

DWeinberg@pressofac.com