The Philadelphia Eagles’ version of the “Green Goblin” is ready to take the next step.
This won’t serve as news for anyone, but one of the highlights of the Eagles’ offseason wasn’t the guy that they signed. It was the guy that they didn’t. Longtime safety and captain of the defense Malcolm Jenkins was allowed to walk in the offseason. We figured the plan was to move Jalen Mills to safety, but all offseason, he’s been listed on the roster as a cornerback.
Say what you want about him being beaten by double-moves. If you want to question whether or not he’s the leader that Jenkins is, go ahead. All we know is this. His coaches love him. His teammates love him, and when he stepped back on the field in 2019 after missing much of the season with an injury, he lifted his teammates. They play harder and better when he’s out there.
The Philadelphia Eagles and their fans are expecting a lot out of “JJAW” in Year 2.
Let’s get something straight and tick a few people off. There wasn’t much wrong with the Eagles’ decision to draft JJ Arcega-Whiteside in the second round of 2019’s draft. Ask most scouts, and he was in that top-15 to the top-20 range of the best wide receivers that were available.
“Birds” fans are also ticked that he looked so bad in Year 1 and D.K. Metcalf looked so good. The latter was taken seven picks after Philly took their man. Here’s what isn’t mentioned. Former Eagles wide receivers coach Carson Walch was abhorrent. Had Metcalf landed in Philly, he wouldn’t have had the type of season he had in the Pacific-Northwest. Sometimes, it’s about coaching, and that’s what some “Birds” fans need to learn.
It’s time to stop blaming players and hold these coaches accountable. They aren’t doing their job, but Philly made a few very good coaching hires in 2020. Expect “JJAW” to make significant strides under new Eagles wide receiver coach, Aaron Moorehead.