Cyprien says safeties like himself, ‘do a lot of things’
PHILADELPHIA >> Eagles linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill barely had been carted off the field with a knee injury Saturday when Johnathan Cyprien, the newly signed safety, stated his case for being part of Plan B.
Grugier-Hill joined the Eagles as a safety, and the aggressiveness and physicality he played with made him a natural fit as a hybrid linebacker. Cyprien might not have every-down linebacker size, but he’s bigger than Malcolm Jenkins, and like the veteran Eagles safety, he’s played a variety of positions. Problem solved?
“Well, let me tell you something about safeties,” said Cyprien, taken by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2013 draft. “I think we’re the most versatile people on the field. Not only can we cover one of the top targets on the team and the tight ends, but we can also tackle the great running backs that we have in this division. So, we’re able to do a lot of things. And the coaches just get smarter and smarter by using us in different ways. I mean, look at Malcolm. He plays every position on the field. So, we’re just real valuable.”
Back to Grugier-Hill, who also is the star of special teams. The Eagles cannot afford to lose him and his swagger for extended time. The NFL Network reported Grugier-Hill has a Grade 3 MCL sprain which could sideline him for a portion of the regular season.
Grugier-Hill spent a few minutes inside the injury tent and exited the field slowly, although not limping.
“Preliminary, that’s lower body, left side,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “We’re going to evaluate him inside this afternoon and we’ll update you as we go. He’s really been coming into his own. I mean, he’s obviously getting those first team reps at linebacker and he’s a core special teams player for us. Really excited about him and what he brings to our football team.”
It will be a while before the Eagles figure out a role for Cyprien, who hadn’t practiced in full gear since tearing an ACL one year ago in August. Scouting reports peg him as more of a box safety, similar to Jenkins. Cyprien, 28, has just two interceptions and two sacks in an NFL career with zeroes across the board in 2018.
The Eagles have veterans Rodney McLeod and Andrew Sendejo at safety, with Tre Sullivan the best of the rest, although Blake Countess always seems to show up once the hitting begins.
McLeod isn’t all the way back from surgery on his right knee. If Cyprien stays healthy, it’s hard to believe defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz won’t be able to find a role for him.
Cyprien (6-1, 211) has averaged 101.2 tackles in five seasons, hitting the century mark in his first four years with the Jaguars.
“He has been a box safety a bunch in his career and he’s a physical guy,” Pederson said. “No one better to learn from than Malcolm and what Malcolm does in that safety position. It’s just about him coming in and picking up our defense as fast as he can, fitting into that role.”
The teams Cyprien worked for, Tennessee and Jacksonville, are the Eagles’ first two preseason opponents. Cyprien marveled at the coincidence, having learned about it shortly after signing, and laughed at the thought of early payback.
“There’s no point in circling guys on your schedule, especially preseason games, if you don’t know what the heck you’re doing on the field,” Cyprien said. “Trust me, there’s nobody that can play well if you don’t know what you’re doing, no matter how great you are.”