JASON Avant working with the Eagles WR’s feels like an investment in Karma. It’s bringing him home to an Eagles franchise that he’s never strayed far from. Even when he played in Kansas City. Under head coach Andy Reid. (See what I mean?)
Avant was always a bit of a coach/mentor. Even as a player, he was one of a handful of players that young guys innately felt that they could talk to, and ask questions of. And why not? He carried an air of professionalism and credibility. While those things never jump out at you, over a period of time they build a level of gravitas that attracts people to you.
Never one that could be mistaken for a deep threat, Avant was known for running great routes and having even greater hands. Other sportswriters will tell you that his career was built on ‘precision’, but let me explain what that word actually means in relation to football. It means his career was about study, discipline, repetition, and habits.
If you liked Odell Beckham’s catch, then you have to LOVE the original version.
Avant the player walked what he talked. And THAT is who now is among the teachers for young WR’s Jalen Reagor, J.J Arcega-Whiteside, John Hightower, Quez Watkins, and possibly most beneficially, Greg Ward.
It’s worth noting also that Avant and WR DeSean Jackson were teammates from 2008 to 2013. So there’s a dynamic at play where Avant and DJax can reminisce about playoff games, with the youngin’s in the room. The proof of what they say will be evident just by the fact of those two men being in that room. That level of credibility is hard for hungry players to ignore.
I specifically mentioned those four young WR’s, because beyond 2020 there is little chance of seeing DJax and/or WR Alshon Jeffery in midnight green. At which point we will likely be starting Reagor and Arcega-Whiteside. That in mind, it would be wise for the 2020 Eagles to keep six receivers, with Jeffery, DJax, Ward, A-Dub (I’m introducing that nickname today), and Reagor at the top five.
(Sidenote: Rookie RB Adrian Killins (5’8″, 177lbs) will probably log as many NFL carries as RB Donnel Pumphrey (5’9″, 176lbs) did. Meaning zero. The smart move would be to put Killins on the 2020 Practice Squad, and try to transition him to WR. You don’t let speed like his just walk out the door, unless you are 1012% certain that he can’t play.)
While Avant isn’t the WR’s coach, having his voice in the room, is huge. It’s the voice of a mid-level talent who made an 11 year career, out of being a first rate professional. That can’t be anything but a huge Avant-age (see what I did there?) for the young stable of receivers we have here.
I’m thrilled with the move.
BTW I found out TWO new things last night: 1) This guy’s name is Steven Crowder, and 2) We have the same birthday
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 