Kicker Elliott eager to make NFL debut
PHILADELPHIA » Newly signed Eagles kicker Jake Elliott can turn to his teammates if there are questions about playing his first NFL game Sunday.
When Elliott has a kicking question, though, the ultimate go-to guy would be Stephen Gostkowski, the 33-yearold Pro Bowl kicker with the Patriots. They hail from the University of Memphis, where they struck up a friendship working out together.
“It’s fun to compete with somebody of that caliber,” Elliott said. “Being able to go against him and just kind of watch him and observe how he approaches everything is pretty special. Any questions, he’s a guy that I can go to and that speaks volumes. He came to Memphis quite a bit. And he’d offer whatever advice possible.”
Elliott said the Memphis alums stay in touch through text messages. There’s no need, of course, for Elliott to mention that he makes his NFL debut Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Eagles take on the Chiefs.
Elliott has a comfort level as a fifth-round pick of the Bengals. The Eagles signed him off the Bengals’ practice squad, where Elliott parked after losing the competition for the starting job to Randy Bullock.
Even if the Eagles’ kicking job is only open for a couple of months, as Caleb Sturgis rehabs a sprained quadriceps, Elliott appreciates the opportunity. That doesn’t happen to every practice squad player.
“I wanted to play games,” Elliott said. “I just want to compete. That’s what I’m here for. It will be interesting this week. I think it all will be fine. I’ve got a couple preseason games under my belt. Obviously it’s going to a little different in your first NFL regular season game. I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it.”
Elliott broke Gostkowski’s career scoring and field goal records at Memphis. This week, Elliott follows him to the league.
At the end of the day Elliott can expect a text. Not advice, but congratulations. Speaking of advice, Elliott had no problem identifying the best stuff he got from Gostkowski, the Patriots’ alltime leading scorer.
“Just stay humble,” Elliott said. “Good or bad, be able to bounce back and handle success.” *** Eagles running back Donnel Pumphrey was held out of practice Thursday with an ailing hamstring.
Also sitting out practice were cornerback Ronald Darby (ankle) and defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (wrist).
*** The Eagles aren’t winning any popularity contests in the NFC East merchandising category.
Yes, Carson Wentz’s jersey is the sixth-biggest seller on the weekly list supplied by Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is nothing short of amazing.
The top five cast includes Dak Prescott of the Cowboys, whose jersey tops the list, Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Odell Beckham Jer. and Von Miller.
Zach Ertz, who checks in at 81, is the other Eagle in the top 100.
The jersey list includes 13 other NFC East players, at least four from each team in the top 100.
Here’s the top selling in the division: jerseys COWBOYS » Prescott (1), Elliott (3), Dez Bryant (22), Jason Witten (33). GIANTS » Beckham Jr. (4), Eli Manning (18), Landon Collins (40), Brandon Marshall (71), Jason Pierre-Paul (94). REDSKINS » Kirk Cousins (36), Josh Norman (39), Ryan Kerrigan (41), Jordan Reed (92). EAGLES »: (81).
By the way, the Seattle Seahawks’ 12th Fan is No. 61. Wentz (6), Ertz