Hobbs: Don’t Judge Me On Last Year

Ellis Hobbs hears what people are saying about him, and he’s not going to ignore it either. The Eagles cornerback knows that some fans and media consider him to be a weak point in the defense, and Hobbs wants to prove them wrong.

“It’s that dog in me that wants to prove a lot,” Hobbs said. “Just listening to some of the comments you guys say, as much as you try to ignore it, or the fans, I’m an alien in this country. You really haven’t seen what I can do. Last year was definitely not a season that you can judge me off of.”

Hobbs played in eight games last year before suffering a season ending neck injury. During this offseason, he’s been the subject of criticism by prognosticators. The funny thing is, he’s just the type of player on and off the field who Philadelphia fans typically appreciate. Hobbs is feisty, as evidenced by his scrap with the much larger Riley Cooper on the first full day of training camp. The corner is also physical, despite being smaller than most receivers he matches up against.

“It’s a little bit like a John Riggins type of running player. Four yards and a cloud of dust, and that’s what happens when Ellis is involved,” said defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. “He’s all over the place, and he’ll hit you at the same time.”

So Hobbs is an undersized but physical player who won’t back down from anybody, and to top it off, he’s in it for the right reasons. “I think just my love of the game. It’s not about the money, it’s not about anything else, but to just go out there and prove that I can play with anybody in this league,” Hobbs said. And while many players say it’s about the love of the game, Hobbs really seems to mean it.

With that in mind, don’t be surprised if Hobbs turns into a fan favorite in due time, because he won’t have it any other way. Whether it’s a starting job, respect from his opponents or the admiration of fans, Hobbs isn’t backing down. “I refuse to be denied of what I feel like is rightly mine. I have to go out there and prove it every day,” Hobbs said.

So far, Hobbs has backed up his words off the field with his play on it. As training camp practices turn into preseason games, and those turn into regular season games, Hobbs will be able to put his skills and tenacity on display for all to see. In the mean time, he’ll just keep doing what he’s been doing – showing up and working hard every day.

Notes: Maclin and Samuel Return

Injured wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (knee) was back in action this afternoon for a non-contact practice. The second-year player said he’s taking it a day at a time and wouldn’t guarantee that he’d be able to go tomorrow morning, as the mornings are the more intense of the two practices. “We’ll see. I don’t know yet, we’ll see though,” Maclin said.

Asante Samuel also participated in the afternoon’s practice, making his way back from a hamstring injury.

Training Camp Coverage

Visit InsideTheIggles.com for training camp coverage, including practice recaps and scouting reports from Lehigh Valley.  ITI’s Ryan Messick will be reporting from camp again tomorrow morning (8:15 A.M.) and afternoon (2:00 P.M.), with live Twitter feeds.  Follow along here at www.insidetheiggles.com or at www.twitter.com/Ryan_Messick.