Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Rookie Hicks has nose for ball
Entering the weekend Eagles rookie Jordan Hicks was tied for third in the league with four takeaways. That was just one takeaway from Darrelle Revis.
PHILADELPHIA >> Entering the weekend Eagles rookie Jordan Hicks was tied for third in the league with four takeaways.
That was just one takeaway from Darrelle Revis, who was tied for the lead with Josh Norman of the Panthers.
Jordan, the third-round draft pick out of Texas, can file it in the scrapbook under beyond your wildest dreams.
“Looking back I saw my role coming in at the very beginning was special teams, to be very realistic,” Hicks said. “The first game against Atlanta and the first half against the Cowboys, that’s where I was. Just like that, things changed. It shows you have to be ready for every opportunity you get.”
Hicks got his baptism under fire during the Cowboys game when linebacker Kiko Alonso exited with a knee issue. Hicks’ sack put Tony Romo out of commission for likely two months with a fractured clavicle.
The next week Hicks intercepted Ryan Fitzpatrick and recovered a fumble to help the Eagles defeat the New York Jets.
“I’ve said it, and I say it as a compliment, since he got here, he’s never acted like a rookie,” Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said. “He’s just been really mature in his approach and his understanding of what we are trying to do.”
Hicks has recovered a fumble in three straight games for the Eagles, who rank among the league leaders with 13 takeaways.
“The ball’s been bouncing my way,” Hicks said. “It might not bounce that way too many more times but hopefully it does. I just continue to play consistent and try to do everything I can to be around the ball.”
Kelly and Sean Payton, head coach of the Saints, reportedly are on the list of candidates for the USC coaching job.
NFL media insider Ian Rappaport reported that he’s been told Kelly “would have some interest in the USC job, although a source close to him points out Chip Kelly really likes to be liked and wanted so that may be driving some of his interest.”
Kelly has said he hasn’t been contacted by any teams.
NOTES >> Eagles cornerbacks Nolan Carroll and Byron Maxwell entered the weekend tied for fourth in the league with two defensive holding penalties...The Eagles’ Fletcher Cox, with 4 sacks, was tied for eighth in the league...Eagles center Jason Kelce and guard Allen Barbre were tied for fourth in the league with three offensive holding penalties each entering the weekend. Tight end Brent Celek has two holds … Giants rookie Ereck Flowers was tied for second in the league with three false starts...The weather forecast for the 8:30 p.m. Monday kickoff is around 37 degrees with wind of 5 to 10 m.p.h...The Eagles are inducting running back Brian Westbrook and linebacker Maxie Baughan into their Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony Monday. Westbrook retired as one of six players in league history with 30 or more rushing and receiving touchdowns. The Villanova University product ran for 41 scores and caught 30 TD passes. Baughan, 77, was a rookie on the 1960 NFL champion Eagles. He played six seasons in Philly and earned five of his Pro Bowl berths here. Baughan intercepted 18 passes in his career.