There was interest in bringing Maclin back to the flock
PHILADELPHIA » Doug Pederson said the Eagles’ interest in wide receiver Jeremy Maclin didn’t go beyond the conversation they had Saturday.
Of course Pederson previously said he had no interest in the former Philly firstround draft pick who signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Ravens, including $6 million guaranteed.
The Eagles’ head coach denied a report saying the Eagles were the other finalist for the services of Maclin, whom the Eagles selected in the 2009 draft.
“You know, I was asked last Thursday if anything was going to happen,” Pederson said Tuesday. “And obviously I said ‘not at this time’ until I got more information. I had a great conversation with him on Saturday. Just wanted to see where he was at.”
Pederson was an assistant with the Chiefs when Maclin — after signing a fiveyear deal averaging $11 million — caught a lot of passes his first couple seasons but saw his role diminish when Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith decided it was more beneficial to get the ball to tight end Travis Kelce and later wide receiver Tyreek Hill. A groin injury last year didn’t make Maclin any more appealing.
When Reid cut Maclin and his massive contract, it sent shockwaves through the Chiefs’ locker room. That had to be related to the timing, as Reid gave Maclin the pink slip after attending the player’s wedding.
Pederson last week said he wanted to see how the Eagles’ fleet of receivers would perform going forward. Alshon Jeffery is the most talented of the group. He signed a one-year deal worth $9.5 million. Torrey Smith, viewed as a deep threat, inked essentially a one-year $4.875 million pact because the Eagles can get out from under it after this season.
Maclin’s skills set veterans.
The Eagles also anticipate spreading the ball around to Jordan Matthews, running back Darren Sproles and tight end Zach ranks between those Ertz, who led them in catches last season.
The Eagles drafted Mack Hollins, a Riley Cooper-type receiver, in the fourth round and speedy Shelton Gibson in the fifth round.
“We talked it over with the staff and just wanted to find out what Jeremy was thinking and how he could possibly fit,” Pederson said. “We just want to wish him the best of luck now in Baltimore.”
*** Defensive end Marcus Smith, the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2014, said he didn’t attend OTAs because they were voluntary.
But he watched footage of those practices on his team-issued ipad.
“I got to see what they were doing,” Smith said. “I got to see the plays that I’ve always been doing so I don’t think I really missed anything.”
Smith danced around tough questions about his future after playing the equivalent of scout team snaps at the first mandatory minicamp practice.
Though Smith sees the writing on the wall in the form of free-agent pass rusher Chris Long and first-round draft pick Derek Barnett, he’s kept a positive attitude.
Smith isn’t angry the Eagles declined to pick up his $8.718 million fifth-year option for 2018. Lest we forget he told reporters he thought he was surprised to come off in the first round of the draft, that he was told it would be the second or third round.
“I knew that they weren’t going to pick it up,” said Smith, whose next NFL start will be his first. “I mean, it’s obvious. I haven’t really played that much in three years so it wouldn’t be smart as a business, as an Eagles organization to pick it up.”
The Eagles would save $1.483 million in salary cap space by trading or cutting Smith, who has 4 sacks in three seasons.
“You can’t look at it as disheartening,” Smith said. “It’s the business side of it. It’s the Eagles doing what’s best for the organization. You just have to come in and compete and play every day. That’s all you have to do. And love on the guys that do come in, especially the first-rounder, especially Chris Long. I wasn’t trying to make it any bigger than what it already was. I didn’t want to mess with anybody’s head or anything. It’s just a decision that I made.”
*** Eagles punter Donnie Jones turns 37 before training camp.
Jones had a pretty away from OTAs.
“This is my 14th season and my kids have grown up fast,” Jones said. “My son is 10 and my daughter will be 8. When I first got here my son was 5, my daughter was 3. I wanted to spend some time with them.”
*** NOTES » Malcolm Jenkins didn’t appreciate running deep to cover tight end Zach Ertz in 91-degree heat during 11-on-11s. good reason to stay “Carson,” Jenkins shouted to Wentz, “don’t test me like that. Bad stuff happens.” Ertz caught the deep fade out of bounds ... Cornerback Jalen Mills got a pick-six off of Matt McGloin ... The Eagles signed Villanova linebacker Austin Calitro (6-0, 245), who registered 86 tackles last season, including 12 for loss to a rookie tryout deal. With Nick Foles excused to be with his expectant wife, the Birds signed quarterback Dane Evans (6-1, 210) of Tulsa to a rookie tryout pact ... NFL officials are working all of the minicamp practices through Thursday ... Isaac Seamalu started with the first team offense at left guard. Veteran Allen Barbre rotated in.