Maclin lost in Vick-Jackson hype
Lost in the Michael Vick-DeSean Jackson hype machine is the excellent season that Jeremy Maclin is having.
Maclin lost in Vick-Jackson hype
Jeff McLane
Lost in the Michael Vick-DeSean Jackson hype machine is the excellent season that Jeremy Maclin is having.
The Eagles wide receiver may not be as dynamic as Vick or as dramatic as Jackson, but he's having a season every bit as good as the quarterback and his receiving counterpart.
Because of his unassuming nature -- and Vick and Jackson's obvious flair -- Maclin gets overlooked on occasion by the media.
"I don't look at it like that," Maclin said on Thursday. "Whoever you guys decide to write about you guys decide to write about. I have no control over that. The only thing I have control over is helping my team win games. That's the bottom line."
If you consider scoring touchdowns as helping a team win, then Maclin has aided the Eagles more than any other player other than the quarterback. He has a team-leading ten receiving touchdowns and has not gone more than two games all season without getting into the end zone.
"He's having a heck of a year," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "Jeremy Maclin is a heck of a football player. He's sort of overlooked a little bit with Michael's dynamic ability and DeSean ... [But] he's been a touchdown-maker for us. He can score on the deep plays and he can also catch and make the quick move and he's a physical guy."
Maclin is 110 yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career. He's second on the team in receptions with 64 -- ten behind running back LeSean McCoy, but 19 ahead of Jackson -- and hasn't missed a game all season.
"Overall, I'm pretty pleased with it," Maclin said about his season thus far. "I'm more pleased with where were at as a football team, to be honest with you. That's the big important picture. You can't get caught up in stats or Pro Bowl."
Maclin has become a tireless worker off the field, as evidence by his physical transformation in between the end of his rookie season and the start of this one. He's also done the little things like improving his down field blocking. He delivered a key block on tight end Brent Celek's 65-yard TD catch on Sunday against the Giants.
Still, Maclin's accomplishments sometimes fall under the radar because he isn't as extravagant as Jackson. While Jackson has become known for his touchdown celebrations, the most Maclin may do after a score is violently spike the football into the ground.
"Different strokes for different folks," he said.
Maclin and Jackson are dissimilar in ways more than just their on-field demeanor. Their different personalties -- Maclin is serious and introverted while Jackson is more vocal and outgoing -- make for a receiving odd couple.
"I think that's maybe one of the reasons why our relationship is as good as it is," Maclin said.
Maclin is really a stand up guy. He works hard and doesn't need flashy dances or comments. He goes out every Sunday and lets his play do the talking. I hope the Eagles realize how special he is and how bright his future is with this organization— shmu u 92- Maclin is not as fast as DJax but he's more physical which makes him effective in the red zone. The touch down he scored against the Bears was a good example. He fought off two defenders in close quarters to get open for the pass. But he's not a possession receiver. Defenses respect his speed. In the Cowboys game he was clearing out defenders to help DJax get open for the big plays.— soulman386
- Deadly combination. He doesn't hold on to the ball, but that will come with maturity, in tight situations. If you double one deep chances are the other will burn his man. How can you consider 10 touchdowns and near 1000 yds under the radar is beyond my imagination.
If he wants to be noticed he'll have to catch the ball between the hash marks, punishing territory in front of the safety and behind the linebackers. Hines Ward territory!— Dexter - That has got to be the worst picture at the very least this year and possibly this decade.
- Maclin here=complimentary piece (not a slight)! Elsewhere #1 receiver. TOP PRODUCER— pellelindburg
- He is excellent and does have pretty darn good speed.— Romus
- Maclin is the man. I called before the year he'd have a bigger season than DJax.
- Yes, Maclin has definately showed why the Eagles made him a 1st round selection. I think this is probably one of the best draft picks Reid ever made. That, I believe has more to do with the lack of praise. I mean an actual 1st round choice who turned out to be good. Not neccessarily Superstar great, but is definately perfoming up to expectations if not a little bit better— papabear702
- He hasn't been overlooked by any REAL fans. Just writers.— TBear
- Durable receiver, and a BEAST blocking downfield!!!— fillyfan
- I don't know if cutting is a natural athletic gift or if it can be taught, but if Maclin can learn to cut as viciously as Jackson (there's no one who attacks his open field cuts as intensely as Jackson in the NFL) than Maclin will take his game to another level. In the 40, I'd be interested to see who wins between the two. The difference really seems to be Jackson's agility vs. Maclin's toughness and positive attitude. Right now he reminds me of a slightly smaller version of a young Marvin Harrison. If he stays healthy and is lucky enough to have continuity at QB, this kid has the potential to go very, very far.— Vasquez
- It would be interesting to compare Maclin's production at the end of this year with T.O.'s second year in the league. T.O. Had 60 catches in his second year for 936 yards and 8 touchdowns, according to the NFL's website. Mike Mayock thought Maclin was the best receiver in his draft class when he covered the draft for the NFL network. Time will tell.— Lockyer
- Ill be honest, I was very critical of him with the holdout to start his career but he has really been a player for the birds. Too many people pay attention to the look at me style of Jackson but this team is where they are because of the key play ability of Maclin, especially in the red zone, Jason Avant making the chains move and the terrific play of McCoy and of course Vick. Its a shame people only remember Vick and McCoy's stand out play and Jackson's efforts to bring attention to himself. If Jackson did all of the things Maclin has done, he would have been paid by now.— rvb2321
- I agree with Tbear. No real football fan misses Maclin -- or Cole, Herremans, McCoy, Allen, Avant, and others. The media (and some fans) seem to want to stay focused on one or two guys. That's their right, I guess, but it's a 45-man game. Can't do it without guys like Coleman, Buckley, and Chaney on special teams. In retrospect, I think Maclin is a #35 pick, not a #18, but I hope he's here 15 years. It would be cool next year if he became a guy you couldn't cover with one corner. That will drive defenses nuts if they have to devote 2 defensive backs to him.— tacklinjoe
maclin looks like he's hugging barney the dinosaur in that photo.— Evilvet
Maclin is cool...I got alot of fantasy points with him. Thank you Mac!!- It's saying something about how deep this team is that he doesn't get more attention. He doesn't even seem that fast because of Jackson--and Maclin is *fast.*— Jim C.
- Jeremy Maclin is a consumate professional, ballin out of control. That touchdown in the last quarter seems so under- appreciated. He got the DB out in space and it was like taking candy from a baby!— reveugene
- Maclin is whats he is and that what makes him great. He will be with this team for the next 10 years no doubt about it. Jackson will get a contract next year and will be complaining about it 2 years later. Maclin is a stand up guy who loves football and his role as a team player. Maclin and Jackson with a compitent QB will unstoppable for years to come
He should try doing the Nestea Plunge!
horrible picture. that aside, maclin has earned my respect. he was shaky at 1st, but kept improving and is about to (hopefully) break the 1,000 yard mark. it feels good to finally have a pair of good wideouts. go birds!!- So glad to finally see an article pointing out how good Maclin is! Maclin keep Mackin'!— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- Mac and Jackson compliment each other very well.— simplefreedom
Maclin's been fantastic this year. I don't think he's been lost in the hype too much, seen and heard plenty of nice things about him this year.- He and McCoy are the two overlooked guys on this explosive offense. I have been really impressed with his hands, he has made some very clutch catches. How ironic is it that we finally have the best reciving duo in the NFL, for the team that has passed the ball more then any other for the last 10 years?
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can't overlook that kinda production— Nezzen- jackson and maclin have the same 40 time. 4.3 seconds. maclin is blazing fast. the speed on this team is just ridiculous. maclin in the end may end up being the better receiver over the course of a career than jackson.
oh and one more thing, maclin is bigger AND faster than marvin harrison.
speed isn't everything. jerry rice ran a 4.8. he just ran routes and caught balls better than anyone ever.— djack10 - Maclin and Jackson make Vick a lot better. Teams have to choose cover 2 or safety spy. No good choice.— kkronquist
- Pittsburgh is the center of the sports universe! Pens beat the caps in round one of the most anticipated NHL event since the first winter classic and the Steelers win on Thursday night football and remain number 2 in the stronger AFC.— theeutmost
- and to think a few years back we were counting on james thrash and todd pinkston...— jknoll
- Question JMac's speed? His ability to make open field cuts? Feast your eyes on this, but don't blink. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKsUjZWiz7g— writerdude
Deadly one two punch I think we need a bigger receiver especially in the Red Zone. Reiley Cooper might be the one? Or MAYBE Vincent Jackson soon to be Chargers WR free agent.Though unlikely we need to pay DJax and Mike one can dream. Go Eagles. SEE U IN DALLAS.
