Free agent addition Riq Woolen has inherited a major role as a starting cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, and his physical traits, along with his overall maturation both on and off the field, leave him in a prime position for a big upcoming campaign.
For a player with such rare physical gifts, a 6-foot-4 frame with cat-like quickness, it hasn't always been smooth sailing on gamedays for the five-year veteran. A lapse in coverage here, a penalty there, has left Woolen as an incredibly talented player, but one who is headstrong these days on overcoming past flaws.
Now playing under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Woolen is attacking each day with a renewed mindset: striving for more consistency, avoiding highs and lows, and truly staying in the moment.
Riq Woolen puts rare talents on full display at Eagles open practice
Woolen had a tough first joint practice with New England last week, but has since rebounded in resounding fashion from it. And in the Eagles' annual open practice for fans, he showcased what he brings to the gridiron in dazzling style.
Woolen notched a pair of interceptions on the evening, starting off with his theft of a Jalen Hurts pass intended for rookie Makai Lemon over the middle of the field. Later on in the practice, Hurts looked for DeVonta Smith along the sideline, but Woolen jumped the play and snagged the pass, racing 75 yards the other way for a pick-six.
It was an electric performance for Woolen, who figures to get a ton of looks his way this season as opposing coordinators look to steer action away from Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Woolen says the keys to staying even-keeled and focusing on what he can control moving forward are. And of course, blocking out the outside noise as much as possible.
“(It's) something I had to learn when I was young in my career,” Woolen said. “I feel like I had a lot of good success in my career, so when I was younger I didn’t know too much how to handle it. I would see the good things people say and the bad things. Whenever you listen to the bad things they say, it can get to you. But whenever they say the good things, you can’t let that get to you as well. You gotta stay even. That’s just the life of being a professional and a DB.”
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With regular season action just two weeks away, this cornerback trio appears ready to stifle the competition. Woolen is comfortable in his new surroundings, and that's bad news for opposing offenses.
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