"One month into the season, the Eagles have managed to survive without their franchise quarterback for two games, their All-Pro running back and last 1,000-yard receiver each for one game, a patchwork offensive line and a rookie starting at the spot once occupied for more than a decade by Brian Dawkins.

But it's hard to imagine they'd be 2-1 today and toting the NFC's fourth-ranked offense without their most unheralded weapon, someone who's never averaged more than 20 yards per game, never made a Pro Bowl and entered this season with just two career touchdowns.

To the outside world, maybe the biggest surprise in the NFL this season is that Brent Celek has elbowed his way into the pack of household names that excel at his position.

Celek's team-leading 22 receptions are tied for third in the league, four behind Colts' All Pro tight end Dallas Clark. His 245 yards are fourth, behind Clark, Antonio Gates and Chris Cooley.

Clark, Gates and Cooley have combined for seven trips to the Pro Bowl and -- along with five-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten -- are generally regarded as the elite corps of an overlooked position.

To the Eagles, Celek's emergence is the natural byproduct of the third-year pro's step into a starting position for the first time in his pro career.

"Brent's one of those guys that, he does everything good," said quarterback Kevin Kolb, who connected with Celek 16 times for 208 yards in the two-game span that Kolb replaced Donovan McNabb.

"The thing that separates him from other people is his natural instincts, his knowledge. A lot of it is natural, something that some people are born with. You probably develop some of it over the years, but for the most part, you come into the game with it and you have something that other football players don't.""