A.J.’s 1st day conjures T.O. memories
Brown adding excitement to Eagles camp in similar fashion to Owens 18 years ago
PHILADELPHIA » You’d have to turn the calendar back to 2004 to find an Eagles training camp that opened as enthusiastically as Wednesday.
Eighteen years ago, thousands of fans chanted “T.O., T.O., T.O” daily at Lehigh University out of respect for Terrell Owens, the eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver who completed quarterback Donovan McNabb and sparked the Birds to a Super Bowl appearance. It was a cheery kind of mob scene every day.
This time a smaller but every bit as vocal group of fans invited to the first session at the NovaCare Complex shouted “A.J., A.J., A.J.,” for A.J. Brown, the talented receiver added to bring a pass dimension to a run-oriented offense led by Jalen Hurts.
So far, Brown is the most interesting thing to happen to the Eagles. The 25-year-old veteran made reporters look up the single-season record for touchdown receptions after one incredibly smooth route and grab. It’s 23 touchdowns, by the way, set by Randy Moss in 2007 with the New England Patriots. Brown also won a Twitter war with critics who ripped an allegedly bad OTA practice by Hurts.
When the 58-minute practice in 85-degree heat was over Wednesday, Brown took on all autograph requests with a smile. He’s already a cult legend after buying “Brown” jerseys for fans in the Eagles’ Pro Shop while simply checking to see if the item was available.
“They were very passionate,” Brown said. “As soon as I came out here there were cheers. I definitely feel the love. Ever since I’ve been here, Philly seems to be showing me love and I appreciate it wholeheartedly. Now it’s my job to do what I do and have fun and play some football.”
Brown was seven years old when Owens was dealt to the Eagles. Former Eagles linebacker Ike Reese, a major contributor on that
2004-05 Super Bowl team, sees a parallel with this group of Eagles.
“No doubt about it,” Reese, the WIP radio host and Eagles post-game analyst said during practice Wednesday. “Now, obviously it’s hard to duplicate that level of excitement that T.O. brought. When T.O. came, we were a Super Bowl or bust team. As excited as we are about having A.J. here, the team isn’t going to have that type of expectation on it. But the expectation and the excitement level have increased since he’s been here. We’ve been starved and craving for a wide receiver we can hang our hat on since T.O. left here. We’ve had good receivers since he’s left. But not since T.O. have we had a guy that I think everybody’s on board with. And I think that’s what A.J. Brown brings.”
It was just one practice, but Brown was a force. The 6-1, 226-pounder played big and strong against a secondary
that had a pretty good day, particularly Melvin Epps. The safety picked off a throw that Hurts telegraphed. The plan to get the ball in the hands of Brown and let him rock sure seems like a good one. Hopefully Hurts will be able to look off the coverage a little better as he gets more comfortable with Brown.
DeVonta Smith, who led the Birds in receiving yardage last year, already is appreciative of Brown’s suggestions. Take the “rocker step” Brown shared with Smith Wednesday. While the route running receiver closes the distance on the defensive back, he rocks back and forth so feverishly the DB doesn’t know what to do and is so off-balance he’s beaten.
It’s early but no less an authority than general manager Howie Roseman, who was at that 2004 camp in Lehigh with Owens, feels the vibe.
“You just feel the passion for football in this city,” Roseman said. “I think that’s exciting, that whenever you’re going somewhere, people are excited for Eagles football. They can’t wait.”
Eagles fans remember the good part of the Owens story. In 14 games he caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards (15.6 ypr.) and a clubrecord 14 touchdowns. Owens returned from a fractured fibula to catch nine passes for 122 yards in a 2421 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Owens had help that year as Jevon Kearse and Jeremiah Trotter anchored the defense. Just as, the Eagles hope, pass rusher Haason Reddick, defensive backs James Bradberry and Jaquiski Tartt and tackle Jordan Davis bolster the defense this season.
“That was the dream team without us actually us saying Dream Team,” Reese said of the ’04 Eagles. “I was stuck in traffic trying to get to practice at camp. It was crazy. Every practice felt like it was a packed high school football game. the stands were filled, and the chants were going on, whether it was E-A-G-L-ES or T.O. Again, this isn’t a Super Bowl or bust situation. But if things go well this team could at least be in the second round of the playoffs. And that’s exciting.”
••• Center Jason Kelce and wide receiver Keric Wheatfall didn’t practice as they’re on the comeback trail from COVID. Rookie second-round pick Cam Jergens of Nebraska got firstteam snaps at the pivot.
Receiver Zach Pascal (illness) also was idled. Limited were defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and safety Anthony Harris, both returning from COVID.
Speaking of rookies, Davis, the 6-5, 350-pound firstround pick, played slow in his training camp debut.
• • • Finally, there was a bit of awkwardness when head coach Nick Sirianni wore a shirt with an impression of quarterback Jalen Hurts to his first news conference of training camp.
Brown, like Sirianni, viewed the shirt as another attempt to connect, rather than making a statement to critics.
“I’m big on showing love,” Brown said. “I saw the shirt midway through the practice and I was like man, that’s lit. You’ve got the head coach rocking your T-shirt and brand, man, that’s lit.”*