Jeffery’s brash prediction closer to true (sort of )
Alshon Jeffery made a preposterous prediction 13 months ago. “I guarantee you we’ ll win the Super Bowl next year,” declared the veteran receiver.
The statement was so absurd because, at the time, Jeffery was playing for the Chicago Bears, who had just been crushed 38-10 by the Minnesota Vikings to finish their season with a laughable 3-13 record.
Did Jeffery know something the rest of us didn’t? Maybe. In March, he signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles before earning a four-year, $52-million extension in December.
Suddenly, Jeffery is looking like a regular Nostradamus.
“I didn’t say what team, though,” Jeffrey said when asked about his fearless/ foolish long range forecast in a story on ESPN. com a couple of months ago — well before the Eagles had even advanced to football’s final four. “I didn’t say what team.”
While the Eagles defence powered them to a 13- 3 record and a spot in Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Vikings, much less credit has gone to an offence that improved from 22nd to seventh in 2017.
Something must be said for the mass overhaul that was made at the skill positions.
Along with Jeffery, the significant newcomers include fellow receiver Torrey Smith, along with three running backs — Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount and rookie Corey Clement.
Oh, and don’ t forget quarterback Nick Foles, who was a Kansas City Chief a year ago and now, because of injury, holds Philly’s fate in his right throwing hand.
Jeffery didn’t have another Pro Bowl- type season. He finished with his lowest receiving yards total ( 789) since 2012, but he also scored nine touchdowns, more than he’s had but once in his six-year career.
On Thursday, while players joked around and took turns shooting at the basketball machine in the long, narrow dressing room, Jeffery was a favourite target of the media in the post-practice availability because of the success he’s had against the Vikes. In nine games, mostly pitted headto- head with exceptional cover corner Xavier Rhodes, he has seven touchdowns, which is more than double he has against any other team in the league.
“I’ve gone back and looked at that matchup in particular, just to see the battle that went on and the types of things that Alshon did against him and the coverage technique ( Rhodes) used,” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said earlier. “Does it apply to this game? Maybe a little. I think Alshon is a better player. I think ( Rhodes) is a much better player, obviously, and he’s playing with a lot of confidence.
“It’s going to be another great match up Sunday evening.”
Jeffery didn’t offer a lot of secrets to the scribes and TV folks. About Rhodes, he said: “We like to compete against one another. He’s strong, physical. I look forward to the battle.”
But what he did do was confirm reports that the Vikings also offered him a lucrative, multi- year deal last winter.
“They was one of t he teams,” said Jeffery. “There was a few other teams, but Minnesota was one of the teams.” Why did he reject them? “I just felt the best opportunity for me was here, in Philly,” said Jeffery.
As it turned out, they were pretty much equal opportunities.
The Vikings are a 3½ point favourite, but the Eagles have home- field advantage, and that’s generally considered to be worth a field goal. Really, it’s anyone’s game.
Meanwhile, this is a significant time for Jeffery.
After playing 79 regular season games, he finally had his first taste of the playoffs last Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons. He was targeted five times, including the longest attempt by Foles on the first play from scrimmage. After that was knocked down by the wind, he caught the other four balls thrown to him for 61 yards.
But Jeffery isn’t interested in discussing how nice it is to finally be a part of the post-season.
“I’m not trying to reflect on anything right now,” he said. “I’ ll do that after the season is officially over. Right now I just want to do a great job trying to stay locked in. One day at a time.
“Of course we all know we’re one game away from the Super Bowl ... you’ve just got to go out and stick to the things that got you here.”
Such as jo king around and shooting hoops, like they weren’t just a few days from potentially punching their own tickets into the Super Bowl.
“That’s what we’ve been doing all year,” said Jeffery.
And two Sundays after that, his preposterous prediction could come true.