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In Roob’s Eagles Observations: Can Avonte Maddox really play safety? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Why I have concerns about Avonte Maddox playing safety, an unprecedented achievement for DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown to go after in 2024, and the only player to score a touchdown in his only game as an Eagle.
We may be entering the only dead period on the NFL schedule — mid-June until late-July — but when it comes to Roob’s 10 Random Eagles Offseason Observations, there are no dead periods.
Dig in!
1. There’s been a lot of talk about Avonte Maddox getting some work at safety during OTAs, and while it does make sense in a way — the Eagles have a surplus of corners and not enough safeties and Cooper DeJean seems like he’s headed for the starting slot — I have my doubts. I like Maddox. I really admire the way he plays. He’s a tough, hard-nosed, physical defensive back, and there’s no question he has the skills to play safety. At least for a little while. I just don’t see how a guy who’s already injury-prone playing corner and would be one of the smallest safeties in NFL history is going to hold up if he has to play significant snaps at safety. Maddox is listed at 5-9, 184, and according to Stathead there have only been three other safeties in the last 50 years who are 5-9 and 184 or less (Terry Cousin of the Giants in 2004, Shaun Jolly of the Rams in 2022, Ar’Darius Washington in 2022 and 2023), and none played more than a handful of games there. Remember, Maddox has already missed 28 games the last four years and 35 in six NFL seasons. I like Maddox and his game, but I just think it would be a mistake to count on him backing up safety when he hasn’t been able to stay on the field playing corner. At some point, Sydney Brown will be back, and I think he’s got a chance to be a player, and Mekhi Garner could be in the backup safety mix as well. If the Eagles keep Maddox as a backup slot and emergency safety and core special…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/roobs-eagles-observations-avonte-maddox-153320715.html
Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2024-06-16 15:33:20
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