Defensive lineman Spence thrust into starting role
PHILADELPHIA >> Three weeks ago, Akeem Spence was released by the Miami Dolphins, a hapless franchise in full trust-the-process retreat.
Last week, after Malik Jackson was injured, Spence found himself an Eagle, expecting only to mix into a defensive tackle rotation with Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan.
By Tuesday, after Jernigan had broken his foot during a 24-20 loss in Atlanta, there was Spence preparing to start in a Week 3 for a championship-minded team during visit from the Detroit Lions. Fast sport, that football. “I’m just a big believer that God has plan for all of us,” Spence was saying after
a short workout at the NovaCare Complex. “So it was just fortunate that I got here last Tuesday. Then it was unfortunate, what happened to Timmy. But God put me in a situation like this. And I’ll be ready for it, just like I was this past Sunday.”
With Jackson gone and Jernigan out, Spence was thrust into 32 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps against Atlanta, 21 overall. Considering that last season he started all 16 games for the Dolphins while recording 42 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery, he hardly needed a how-to manual.
“I just thought I would rotate in and keep the other guys fresh,” he said. “Plans change. I thought I did well. I went out there and executed all our calls. I didn’t have any mental errors, and I pride myself on that. Now, I feel like I have the calls down, and my pace of play will be higher.”
As the Eagles try to shake off their first loss, Spence will in many ways personify their next task. With DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Jernigan, Corey Clement and Dallas Goedert, among others, injured during or before the game, the Eagles will be asking plenty early in the season from players expected only to be understudies.
“Now, that’s life in the NFL,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Tuesday. “You know, we went through it with different positions last year. We went through it at defensive tackle for a while last year. Things happen. But things have a way of settling down after amount of time.
“There’s always going to be an adjustment period when you’ve got new guys coming in. Guys are settling into new roles. But that’s part of the job description for coaches in the NFL. We preach it all the time: If you’re on our 63man roster, if you’re here, if you have a seat, whether it’s the 53-man, the 45-whatever it is, you’re going to have to be counted on at some point during the season. So get yourself ready.”
The 6-1, 303-pound Spence understands that challenge. A fourth-round 2013 draft choice of the Buccaneers out of Illinois, he has played for the Bucs, Dolphins and Lions, who gave him a three-year, $9 million deal in 2017.
“Next man up,” Spence said. “That’s the NFL. You’ve just got to adapt as you go. I’m a guy who has been in this league. Sometimes things are out of your control and you just have to step in and just be ready for it. That’s the thing: Make sure you are always ready and prepared. I prepared well last week, and when it was time to go out and execute, I executed well.”
Sunday, the former Lion will excited to face his former team.
“It’s going to be fun playing against guys you have built relationships with,” he said. “But Sunday, it is all about competing, all about fighting, about trying to get the win. That’s the goal. But we’ll be friends afterward.” Before that? “You have to do what you have to do,” Spence said. “Right?”
••• Jackson will miss two weeks with an abdominal strain, according to ESPN. The wide receiver was injured in the Atlanta game.