Maclin speaks
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Maclin speaks
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Jeremy Maclin spoke today for the first time since his nine-day holdout ended with the signing of his contract this afternoon. The rookie wide receiver arrived at Lehigh this afternoon and put his John Hancock on a five-year, $15.5 million contract. He wasn't ready for the afternoon special teams practice, but he met with coach Andy Reid and said he's ready to go for tomorrow morning's practice.
"It's been hard," Maclin said. "Obviously, I'm a competitive guy and I want to be out here playing. It is what it is and I'm looking forward to what the future has in store."
Maclin was asked how much he thought his holdout would cost him -- on the field.
"When it comes to football -- especially in the NFL -- I think there's a business part to it first," Maclin said. "Sometimes you got to get things figured out. This may be the only contract so sometimes you got to what's best and get the first one right."
Maclin wouldn't get specific about what exactly it was that kept talks between his agent Jim Steiner and the Eagles from reaching a conclusion. Asked if he spoke to some of the players upon his arrival and if they gave him a hard time about holding out, Maclin said that the players understood since many have been in his shoes before. Still, he wasn't ruling out a comment or two from his teammates.
"Hopefully, I don't experience [comments]," Maclin said. "I think if they do it's all out of love."
Maclin said he continued to workout as contract negotiations dragged on. He was in Philadelphia area for much of the time having recently purchased and moved into a new home in South Jersey. On Friday, he flew back to his hometown of St. Louis.
"I just went home to spend time with my family and kind of get my mind off of everything," Maclin said.
The Eagles top pick said he felt confident that he would be able to make up for any lost time and try to be ready by next Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots.
I'm "very excited," Maclin said. "This is my passion. I love the game of football."
OMG, I am smelling another TO, as he has a house in South Jersy..— iali76- One can only hope.— al personal foul
iali76, you need to stop rummaging through the Eagles’ laundry bag. that sh*t is nasty my man…— bboybeballin- lol personal foul, hope springs eternal!!!— skater262
- if he were another TO, he wouldnt say this may be his only contract.— djack10
- if he were another TO, he wouldnt say this may be his only contract.— djack10
- Its done. Finally. He had to do what he had to do. And the birds as well. Now its time to get to work. This isnt T.O., this isnt fredX. This isnt Pinky. This is Jmac.... and now its his time to show what he can do. He is not a deva (at least not that we know) he is not a baby... or bla bla bla. Time to get behind him and the birds and time for them to get rolling. Go Birds.— stevo8drum
- He better be as good as he thinks he is, if not, we'll let him know pretty darn quick!!!— DJ
- Smells like....victory.— al personal foul
- Give me a break. His agent was running negotiations. Maclin wasn't lobbying through the press for contract demands. Some people are clueless. Is there really a point to trying to uncover everything that transpired in the negotiations? Is there anything positive that can be accomplished by doing that? Just leave the guy alone and let him play ball.— JimG
Welcome aboard Maclin. Am looking forward to watching you display your talents on the gridiron this year and beyond…J-Mac? For now I’ll stick to Maclin. Nicknames in the NFL are earned, not given…
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There's a lot to be said for someone who has the insight and perspective to realize that this literally could be his only contract. We all know this is a business, and along with that Mac realizes he'll still catch some grief. He seems to have a maturity level beyond his years - now we'll watch and see if that transfers to the field and learning a whole new type of system.- Who's the Dublin visitor and did he just punch JMac in the arm?— P Even
- Great post IGGLES1980. And P Even, that is a Dublin 'vision'ary giving sage advise to Maclin while the onlooker just looks stoned! But seriously, given the Eagles' penchant for sticking it to the players, I do not fault him for making sure he has the best contract he can get for now. Now that the contract is out of the way, it remains to be seen what he can bring to the field. Have not heard good things this training camp about any of the receivers not named DeSean Jackson.— cleansports
