If tight end Brent Celek feels "fixed" after offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia and a torn hip labrum, opposing defenses might have another reason to be concerned facing the Eagles in 2012.

A year ago, Celek had 62 catches for 811 yards and five touchdowns. This was after Celek spent the better part of the first five games helping out as a blocker on the offensive line as it jelled with four different starters from 2011.

"I can already tell running routes that I've got something back," Celek said after the first week of the Organized Team Activities. "I feel a lot better than I did at this time last year, a whole lot better."

Celek was expected to be limited according to head coach Andy Reid before the start of OTAs, but said that it "kills" him to be on the sidelines.

"I hate sitting out. I hate sitting on the sidelines. It kills me," Celek said. "To be out here is good. I love playing with these guys."

At the same time, Celek is smart and knows it's important to be ready for the season.

"I have my ups and downs that I have to work through right now just because (I'm) coming off surgery, but I want to be out here with the guys, do as much as I can do while being smart about it," Celek said. "I do feel a lot different. It's a lot easier to run now, a lot more enjoyful. I feel like I'm fixed now."

Entering his sixth NFL season, Celek has a grasp on where he wants to be physically to handle the blocking demands of the NFL.

"I think I know where I want to be. I'm going to have to come in really in shape," Celek said, not concerned about his strength. "Conditioning is going to be the key."

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