Matt Barkley has said that being involved with the first team in recent weeks has helped his development.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has played during the NFC East side's last two games following injuries to Michael Vick and Nick Foles.

The rookie told reporters: "I think it helps. I think anything helps at this point with timing and just reading guys' body language, seeing how the first [offensive] line operates, getting that tempo up to speed.

"It's a little tough, but a lot of things have been different for me this year. I'm just learning to roll with it. I kind of feel like a shark that has smelled that first blood. You don't really know where it's coming from, and so you're just trying to find it. I'm going to keep swimming, keep pushing and we'll see what happens.

"As much as you want to prepare like you're the starter, when you don't get the nod, there's just something different. I think when you're preparing throughout the week when you know you're the starter, just something clicks and you take it to another level."

The Eagles face the Oakland Raiders this weekend.