Arguably the most talked about position so far during the off season for the Eagles after the release of pro bowl, deep threat, speedy receiver Desean Jackson who now has joined the rival Washington Redskins. Not to mention the second round pick of Jordan Matthews and the signing of Maclin and Cooper to extensions. To some it may seem as obvious what the starting lineup will be at wide receiver, but don't be surprised if the obvious Maclin-Cooper duo ends up turning into the Jordan Matthews show. Lets go behind the 3 starters and take a look at players like Josh Huff, Brad Smith, and Ifeanyi Momah shall we? When Chip Kelly first was hired by the Eagles last summer, the stereotypical wide receiver for Chip Kelly was a small and speedy one like Desean Jackson. He proved to be the perfect fit as the Z receiver in Kelly's scheme, but this year Chip Kelly is taking more of a size approach with only one under six foot player in Josh Huff. Don't take Huff's size as a reason to say he is soft or just a fast receiver. Huff plays a hard nosed, gritty style of wide receiver. With Matthews being the expected immediate starter, Huff can develop his game and be a productive player on special teams, as well as being a rotating fourth receiver with Brad Smith and others. Brad Smith is an interesting player that has versatile abilities playing both wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and returning kicks and punts. Chip Kelly loves versatility that has been shown, so I can see Smith penciled in as no less than the number five wide receiver. Now one of the most intriguing prospects is 6'11 second year receiver Ifeanyi Momah. Last season Momah was a training camp receiver that couldn't use his size to his advantage during the preseason, and really struggled to come off press receiver and struggled with routes. Now remember before last season, Momah tore his ACL early during his season with Boston College, and truthfully didn't play much before that. The size is super enticing, but with how Kelly evaluates his receivers, Unless the Eagles keep 6 receivers and Momah beats out Arrellious Benn who is also coming off major injury, Momah will likely be stashed away on the practice squad and continue to develop into a legitimate NFL wide receiver. Then there is Damaris Johnson who really struggled last season and failed to make an impact on the return game, expect Johnson to be a late cut or call up if injuries strike. The Eagles have a unlimited amount of weapons on the offense, but the receivers may be thin with Desean Jackson gone. Eagles fans, coaches, and players alike though are opptomistic about the youth and skill that this core group has to offer. Its a new era of receivers, no more Jason Avant or Desean Jackson, and with Maclin's contract ending next year, could we see a Jordan Matthews-Josh Huff-Riley Cooper group?
Arguably the most talked about position so far during the off season for the Eagles after the release of pro bowl, deep threat, speedy receiver Desean Jackson who now has joined the rival Washington Redskins. Not to mention the second round pick of Jordan Matthews and the signing of Maclin and Cooper to extensions. To some it may seem as obvious what the starting lineup will be at wide receiver, but don't be surprised if the obvious Maclin-Cooper duo ends up turning into the Jordan Matthews show. Lets go behind the 3 starters and take a look at players like Josh Huff, Brad Smith, and Ifeanyi Momah shall we? When Chip Kelly first was hired by the Eagles last summer, the stereotypical wide receiver for Chip Kelly was a small and speedy one like Desean Jackson. He proved to be the perfect fit as the Z receiver in Kelly's scheme, but this year Chip Kelly is taking more of a size approach with only one under six foot player in Josh Huff. Don't take Huff's size as a reason to say he is soft or just a fast receiver. Huff plays a hard nosed, gritty style of wide receiver. With Matthews being the expected immediate starter, Huff can develop his game and be a productive player on special teams, as well as being a rotating fourth receiver with Brad Smith and others. Brad Smith is an interesting player that has versatile abilities playing both wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and returning kicks and punts. Chip Kelly loves versatility that has been shown, so I can see Smith penciled in as no less than the number five wide receiver. Now one of the most intriguing prospects is 6'11 second year receiver Ifeanyi Momah. Last season Momah was a training camp receiver that couldn't use his size to his advantage during the preseason, and really struggled to come off press receiver and struggled with routes. Now remember before last season, Momah tore his ACL early during his season with Boston College, and truthfully didn't play much before that. The size is super enticing, but with how Kelly evaluates his receivers, Unless the Eagles keep 6 receivers and Momah beats out Arrellious Benn who is also coming off major injury, Momah will likely be stashed away on the practice squad and continue to develop into a legitimate NFL wide receiver. Then there is Damaris Johnson who really struggled last season and failed to make an impact on the return game, expect Johnson to be a late cut or call up if injuries strike. The Eagles have a unlimited amount of weapons on the offense, but the receivers may be thin with Desean Jackson gone. Eagles fans, coaches, and players alike though are opptomistic about the youth and skill that this core group has to offer. Its a new era of receivers, no more Jason Avant or Desean Jackson, and with Maclin's contract ending next year, could we see a Jordan Matthews-Josh Huff-Riley Cooper group?
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