Scandrick feeling at home on Eagles’ corner
PHILADELPHIA >> There was the reception he received in the defensive backs meeting, warm and welcoming, even though he was there to likely take someone’s job.
There was the connection with DeSean Jackson, his longtime friend from California.
There was the opportunity to win a starting spot on a good team.
Then, there was one more signal that Orlando Scandrick received in the last few days that told him he was in the right spot at the Eagles’ NovaCare Complex training camp.
“I still get the jitters and butterflies before games and practices and things like that,” he said. “That’s how I know I still love it.”
Wearing a white uniform, No. 45, Scandrick participated in his first Eagles practice Monday after signing Saturday as a free agent. A 12th-year NFL veteran, the first 10 with the Cowboys and last year with Kansas City, the 32-year-old
was hired to provide veteran know-how to a relatively inexperienced cornerback depth chart.
Though he had missed the offseason workouts and the earliest part of camp, Scandrick was immediately noticeable, making multiple successful plays, mostly from the slot. Until he is told of more concrete plans, he will quietly attempt to win playing time for a team still unsettled at his position.
“He’s a veteran player,” Doug Pederson said. “We obviously know this guy a lot, having coached against him when he was in Dallas, and last year in K.C. Yeah, he is a veteran player. We’re always looking to add depth and competition.
“He brings value to us, and we’re excited to have him.”
With Cre’Von LeBlanc (foot), Jalen Mills (foot) and Ronald Darby (knee) unavailable, the Eagles needed cornerback reinforcement. Of the other potential and even likely starters, Avonte Maddox, Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones lack Scandrick’s experience.
With that, Scandrick figured the Eagles were a snug professional fit, claiming to reject other unspecified offers to enlist on a one-year contract.
“I’m glad to be here,” he said. “We have a great team going here. They won a lot of games over the last couple years. They have great coaches, great players, a great organization.”
A fifth-round pick of the Cowboys out of Boise State in 2008, Scandrick would earn a $28 million contract by 2011. A pair of knee injuries cost him his 2015 season, but he returned to start a combined 21 games for Dallas in 2016 and 2017. With the Chiefs last season, he started seven of 15 games and made one interception.
“I haven’t played football competitively for a while,” he said. “I’ve trained, but just to get back into football shape. But today I felt great just to get back around the game. It’s almost like an addiction. I have been playing football for 20-plus years.”
Scandrick recalls growing up in California and playing against Jackson when he was as young as 7.
“It’s great to be with him,” he said. “We have been great friends since childhood. When this was coming down, I kind of talked to him. I stressed that I wanted to play with him. We never had a chance to play together. But we have played against one another so many times.”
For that, Scandrick was comforted to have Jackson on his side for once.
“When I wasn’t competing against him, I was just cheering for his success,” he said. “Now I can cheer for his success here. I am a great competitor. And he has been a great, great receiver in this league for a long time.
“He’s been great for me. He’s constantly calling me, asking if there is anything he could do. That is what made me comfortable coming here.”
Scandrick has made 76 career starts and has nine career interceptions. If at his best, he almost certainly will win some meaningful playing time.
“For me, it always was about finding a good fit, finding a situation with a team with a winning culture, a great mix of players and great coaches,” he said. “This is really a great football organization.”
It’s one he will try to help win, that after 10 years trying to prevent their success while with the Cowboys.
“That’s the furthest thing from my mind now,” he said. “I am happy to be here.”