Imagine you’re Philadelphia Eagles DE Derek Barnett for a second
It’s ridiculous to even insinuate that Derek Barnett is a dirty player.
Just take a break from your own life, and pretend for a second that you’re Derek Barnett. that’s right. Just like that, you’re the starting defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles. Imagine what that must feel like.
You were the 14th-overall selection of the 2017 NFL Draft, a selection meeting that took place in, of all cities, the city he would play professional football in. Your career couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. In year one, you win the Super Bowl. Not only that, you were the guy that recovered the fumble after the most famous strip-sack in Super Bowl history.
Your sophomore season didn’t go as planned. 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks were the result of a season that only lasted seven games. You finish the 2018 season on the IR. That led to year three.
Imagine finding out the Eagles decided it was time to move on from Chris Long. That means it’s all on you, the third-year defensive end who’s now the clear cut starter. Oh, and by the way, no one gets tired of bringing up the fact that, while with the Tennessee Volunteers, you broke Reggie White‘s sack record.
Do you see the pressure Derek Barnett is under now?
Okay, that’s no excuse for three unnecessary roughness calls and knocking Jamal Williams out of the game after the whistle. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and the team’s defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, both expressed the importance of him playing under control and getting these issues fixed, and they will, but calling him ‘dirty’ is a huge stretch.
dark. Next. Corey Clement can make a comeback as the third RB
Yes, his three unnecessary roughness calls are more than 26 teams have total, but Barnett is a guy that’s clearly trying to live up to his potential. That’s all. He hears everybody saying he needs to breakout. He hears what everyone says about Philly’s inability to register sacks, and he’s trying to be a difference-maker.
He’s never been in serious trouble. His teammates love him and are supporting him. So are his coaches. He’ll be fine, but it can’t be ignored. This needs to get fixed sooner rather than later.