Move Over, Cowboys
The Legacy of the Big Possession Receiver in the NFC — Belongs to the Eagles.
No one cares about Dez Bryant, Michael Irvin, Cee Dee Lamb, or Drew Pearson, right?
Not in Philadelphia, that’s for sure.
If you think that Dallas is the preeminent team for big receivers, you haven’t been an Eagles fan for long. From Harold Carmichael to Terrell Owens to Alshon Jeffrey to A.J. Brown — some of the best years in Eagles history have been complete with a big, possession receiver.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
Watching last week’s game in New Orleans (complete with some Alka Seltzer for all of the heart-pounding big plays and lead changes), you might think that Dallas Goedert (not the Dallas in Texas) was the Eagle’s big target with his effortless one-handed receptions complete with shoulder-lowering blasts on defensive backs. Or that A.J. Brown — whose towering jump-ball prowess seems unmatched in the NFL — was the Eagles connection to a big-play target.
When the Eagles took Florida State wide-receiver Johnny Wilson this year with the 185th pick — they not only selected the player with the longest wingspan of any wide receiver ever in NFL history at 84.5 inches — but also in NFL Combine history.
Last week in New Orleans — Wilson had a big 3rd down catch on the sideline when he broke a tackle and picked up a first down. On the Eagles’ final drive, he also had a key drop on the sideline.
With Britain Covey projected to be sidelined for up to six weeks with a broken bone in his shoulder, DeVonta Smith out with a concussion, and A.J. Brown’s timeframe uncertain, Wilson is key to providing receptions and extending drives to keep the Eagles’ dynamic offense able to sustain drives.
At least for the near future.
And in case you were wondering — the Eagles teams with Harold Carmichael, TO, Alshon Jeffrey, and A.J. Brown — all advanced to the Super Bowl.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.