Maclin breaks out for Birds
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Maclin breaks out for Birds
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The theme of the Eagles' victory over the Chiefs two weeks ago was A glimpse into the future.
LeSean McCoy filled in for an injured Brian Westbrook. And Kevin Kolb took over for a sidelined Donovan McNabb.
Both No. 5 and No. 36 returned to the lineup today against Tampa, but that same theme continued with rookie Jeremy Maclin front and center.
With Kevin Curtis inactive, Maclin got a chance to start for the second time this season, and he made the most of the opportunity, catching six balls for 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
He put the Eagles on the scoreboard in the first quarter, catching a 51-yard bomb from McNabb on the team’s second offensive play.
Maclin followed that up with a 40-yard touchdown catch in the second, adjusting to the football beautifully and beating the Tampa cornerback in the end zone. Maclin became the first rookie receiver in Eagles history to score two touchdowns of 40 yards or more in the same game.
After he held out during training camp and had just six catches through the first three weeks, we wondered what kind of impact Maclin would have as a rookie. Today, he showed flashes of what the Birds were expecting when they traded up to draft him in the first round.
While a season comparable to Jackson’s 2008 campaign doesn’t seem likely, Maclin showed today that he is capable contributing right away.
Which leads to the obvious question: Did he take Curtis' job away for good?
"Adjusting to the football" to make the catch for a TD....I'm afraid he'll have to do a lot of that with #5 throwing near him. Seriously, Maclin and DJ are the core of a future excellent WR corps. We still could use one over 6'1" for the red zone, however.— hobbit- maclin stepped up— phillysportsfan83
- Kolb is a mediocre at best— shakur
Comment removed.- Curtis is headed to IR. Regardless, Maclin's the starter now.— farside37
- thank you philly hoodlum— Tnewm22
- Diito hoodlum— BBAX
The point here is that there was a pass that actually traveled more than 10 yards in the air. The deep ball is what I said was missing in the last two games and it returned today and that is why DM is the #1 QB on the team and Kolb, for now, is the leader of the mop up crew. 16 completions for 264 is fine, no INTs are fine. The D has to play better though. Lack of discipline is apparent. Giving TB a 1st after having them backed up 3rd and a half mile is unpardonable. Hobbit, hood is right. Totally idiotic comment. I didn't see anyone lead into coverage only to get killed after trying to make a catch either. Celek may have actually gotten out of a game without another concussion.— tpizza- I love the kid's hands, but like most of us I keep wondering where his speed went. He did a good job of taking advantage of being single-covered on the two TD plays, and made good grabs on both. Impressive hands and body positioning.......but where's the damn SPEED?— TBear
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- hobbit: receivers "adjust" to the ball when the quarterback puts it away from the defenders where only the recevier can catch it. Must be really hard to be an Eagles fan and watch them thrive under McNabb. We all feel so sorry for you and your ilk...go root for the cowboys.— greaser0305
- hobbit: receivers "adjust" to the ball when the quarterback puts it away from the defenders where only the recevier can catch it. Must be really hard to be an Eagles fan and watch them thrive under McNabb. We all feel so sorry for you and your ilk...go root for the cowboys.— greaser0305
- I agree with Phillyhoodlum .. people always try to down McNabb no matter what. McNabb ran the ball on his first possesion back to show that he wants to win no matter what. If he didn't run, they y'all would say he's afraid. Then he does nuthin but make 3 TD throws and people wanna complain about his throwing. Grow up or just route for the oppenent and give McNabb a break. Go EAGLES!— twistedmetalone
- our receiving game is on point, but what about THE GROUND GAME, we're in The NFC EAST! Right now I'm watching the Broncos/pats game and EVERY TIME I see Denver I CRY because they drafted the back I WANTED!!!!!!!!! Y'all KNOW(shaun) who I mean and to add insult to injury, Denver even signed our best POWER running back who reid NEVER gave enough plays! How do you guys think McCoy is going to make out, is he BIG enough??? That boy Brandon Marshall's THE REAL DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!— Anguilla Al
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