Jaiquawn Jarrett: 'I need to improve'
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Jaiquawn Jarrett: 'I need to improve'
Jeff McLane
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- You don't have to be an NFL coach or watch the "All-22" game film to know that Jaiquawn Jarrett struggled in Thursday night's preseason game against the Steelers.
The second-year safety whiffed on two open-field tackles -- one time knocking down his own player -- and made the wrong read on a touchdown pass in just two series of play.
“I need to improve," Jarrett said Saturday. "I need to do a better job of bringing my feet on tackles and executing.”
Jarrett first missed tackle occurred when Emmanuel Sanders caught a pass near the sideline. The wide receiver already had the first down, but Jarrett left his feet and tried to drive Sanders out of bounds and barely hit him. Sanders gained an additional five yards or so.
A series later, Pittsburgh running back Jonathan Dwyer bust through a hole up the middle. Jarrett ran up from centerfield, launched himself at Dwyer, but missed and bowled over teammate Vinny Curry instead.
“I took a bad angle. No excuses," Jarrett said. "I need to get the man, get the ball-carrier.”
Later that drive, the Steelers faced a third and goal at the 2-yard line. Jarrett was lined up opposite tight end Weslye Saunders and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was on Sanders. The Eagles defense, checked out of their alignment and Jarrett reacted too late to his man. Sanders ran an inside slant and was wide open for the score.
“I was supposed to be in the window of the slant," Jarrett said. "No confusion. I should have been right there.”
Jarrett, drafted in the second round out of Temple in 2011, appeared to making some progress at training camp. He finally brought the hits the Eagles said he would bring when they drafted him. But he was still making mistakes and taking bad angles on tackle attempts.
“It’s always frustrating to not play well," Jarrett said. "But I’m going to bounce back. Looking at the game film and correcting my mistakes and not letting it happen again.”
Jarrett started Thursday in place of Nate Allen, who was injured. Allen said today that he will practice this afternoon. As for Jarrett, he's running out of time. The Eagles typically keep four safeties, but they won't keep one that can't effectively play safety or contribute on special teams.
"We all saw it," Andy Reid said. "He can work on his angles and he can work on his tackling. Those are things that he did very well in college. I think it's just a matter of more snaps. The more you play, you know the problem, go ahead and fix it. I think he'll do that."
He needs to work on it on another NFL roster— connorjr- “I was supposed to be in the window of the slant," Jarrett said. "No confusion. I should have been right there.”
Jarrett, drafted in the second round out of Temple in 2011, appeared to making some progress at training camp. He finally brought the hits the Eagles said he would bring when they drafted him. But he was still making mistakes and taking bad angles on tackle attempts.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/Jaiquawn-Jarrett-I-need-to-improve.html#ixzz23G3zrYXN
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else
Your time is running out JJ.
— phillafuN - They need to fix the nfl. Over bloated salaries for unproven guys coming out of college. Its ok if he cant make it in the nfl but what is frustrating is guys that make a ton of money for 4 years and the fans who pay their salaries. The system should be more efficient and reward the play makers. Desean makes nothing for his production in comparison and then gets vilafied by the media for asking for more money which he deserved on a production basis for the world he lives in. I am sure the NFL and players union could cut out this waste and lower ticket costs - oh wait that wasnt part of last year's negotiations no one was there to represent the fans...— JL68
- Don't worry he's protected for 3 years. Reid doesn't cut 2nd round draft picks just because they suck! Remember Trevor Laws!— cooperhawk
- Another example of the Eagles trying to prove they are smarter than everybody else and ending up looking stupid.— Bama
- The fact that he has the same initials as Jim Johnson is yet another insult to the man who got so much out of our safeties. He needs to go, he is officially a bust. Move on now
- First it was the wr's then the lb's now the safety position. How is it every year this team seems to have one glaring weakness that the fans know about prior to the coaching staff.— dogbullet2000
- Glad the team is getting a good look in pre-season while there is still time to correct through practice or acquisition. Coaches get JJ better or get someone better on roster..., One year contract okay for a vet and a high round draft pick next year, good option— EaglesFan3676
- according to Andy, the safety position isnt as valuable as the D-line. lol— sammydelphia
- In terms of making the team, he's in trouble right now. If it wasn't already clear, the Eagles are officially thin at safety.— Mr. Magee
