Inside the Iggles
FanSided

10 UTR Philadelphia Eagles and how they help a playoff push

By Hunter Doyle

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Craig James #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Hard Rock Stadium on December 01, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Craig James #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Hard Rock Stadium on December 01, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

9. Craig James, cornerback/special teams

When the Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers, it came down to a goalline stand. After Maddox went down with a head and neck injury, Craig James was forced into action on second and goal with 28 seconds left. James and Malcolm Jenkins both knew the Green Bay Packers were going to target him on the next play. James was ready and tipped the pass that went straight into Bradham’s arms. That won the game for the ‘Birds’.

Since then, James hasn’t seen much action as the cornerback group has gotten healthier. He is still ahead of Sidney Jones on the depth chart.

James has still seen action on special teams and is one of the Eagles’ ‘gunners’ on punt returns. In recent weeks, he has outrun anyone who has lined up against him and forces the punt returner to make a quick decision. This is helping the Eagles gain an advantage in the field position battle.

The Eagles have forced the seventh-most fair catches in the NFL with 16 and have only allowed 153 total punt return yards throughout the season. James deserves a lot of credit for that.

Rudy Ford was the other ‘gunner’ but was recently placed on injured reserve. Ford was very effective in his role and is arguably one of the fastest guys on this team behind DeSean Jackson. Ford and James were a dynamic duo in covering punt returns.

With Ford done for the year and Mack Hollins being waived the other day, James will have a bigger role as the top ‘gunner’ and the Eagles still have to figure out who will be the ‘gunner’ opposite of him. Look for James to play a big part in helping the Eagles gain a better field position which will, in turn, help the Eagles get wins.

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