To Slay, self-confidence runs high in Philly
Darius Slay just completed a splendid season for the Detroit Lions, one bordering on legendary, a 14-game burst of cornerback styling for the ages.
And don’t tell him otherwise.
“I had a great year, in my opinion,” the Eagles’ new defensive back was thrilled to mention on a conference call. “If the picks (were down), it was because I wasn’t getting targets as much as I was.
“But other than that, it was fantastic.”
The Eagles can use Slay’s skills, and his confidence, too. It’s why they sent a thirdround and fifth-round draft pick to Detroit for his rights and guaranteed him $30 million of a potential $50 million contract over three years. That deal made Slay the highest-paid cornerback in football, even while some skeptics were wondering if he’d already hit his professional peak.
It’s possible. Because that would have been Slay in 2017 making eight interceptions, tied for the most in the NFL. And that would have been him making three the following year.
And last year? Two. “And it was dang sure good enough to make a Pro Bowl three years in a row,” Slay said. “I might not be in the top 10 of fans, but I get a lot of respect from teams, because they know I go out there and compete. Fans are just watching from a numbers standpoint. But watching tape, coaches love me. I think a lot of coaches would love me in their defense.”
Only 29, Slay was invited to the last three Pro Bowls. And if the Lions felt one way, the Eagles felt another. For that, Slay plans not only to earn his record contract but to quickly show that he is underpaid.
“I always try to out-play everything I do,” he said. “So I will try to out-play my contract. So that’s what I did.
“There’s not going to be any pressure for me.”
The Eagles were intrigued enough by Slay’s speed, his quick first step and his ability to win 50-50 balls. As for that raging self-assurance, which Slay spreads more as a matter of fact than a burst of arrogance, that’s a fringe benefit. With the Eagles having surrendered 27 touchdown passes last season, plenty of the embarrassing variety, they needed every one of those gifts.
“This is a guy we feel like we really know well,” general manager Howie Roseman said. “He is a guy who can get the ball back for our offense. He has really been in a situation where he’s been left on an island.”
The Eagles believe they have surrounded Slay with enough capable defenders to ease that situation, allowing him to begin to reverse that declining interception trend. Yet until the coronavirus pandemic ends, there are no guarantees that any NFL team will enjoy optimum opportunities to work new players into their mix.
“That’s the trick,” Slay said. “We don’t know what is going on with the virus and stuff. A guy like me, I go train for a month and a half as hard as I can, doing conditioning tests, preparing for training camp. And a lot of guys, their gyms are not open because of the virus. So it’s kind of hard to prepare yourself. And OTAs, that’s chemistry time. So if you are trying to get chemistry in training camp, and then have a game in a month and a half, that’s going to be difficult. There’s going to be a lot of miscommunication, a lot of misunderstanding.
“From a professional standpoint, you have to put a lot of extra work in and try to figure it out. But it’s going to be hard to get a chemistry going.”
Slay is pleased that he will be supplemented on defense by Fletcher Cox, with whom he’s remained friendly since they shared a recruiting trip to Mississippi State. Cox even called him the night before the trade, sharing news that it was imminent.
“We’ve been friends since high school,” said Slay, who eventually reunited with Cox at Mississippi State after a detour to Itawamba Junior College. “It is a thrill to be with a classmate. And I am looking forward to sharing a defense with him once again.”
In theory, Slay will make Cox better, and Cox will make Slay better.
Yet that’s only if there is any room left for Slay to grow.
“I can get up in a guy’s face for a whole game,” he said. “I switch up my techniques. I am comfortable with everything I’m doing. I am just consistent. I compete every play. And I just play ball. I’m not scared. I’m not a guy who is not confident. I’m a confident guy. I’m not a cocky guy, but just a confident guy.
“I just like to play ball. I love doing it. A lot of guys just do it for whatever reason. I do it because I love the game and it’s fun.”
Slay is convinced his fun will grow with the Eagles, where he is reunited with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, his former head coach in Detroit.
“From the top down, from the fans, from the ownership, it’s like a brotherhood, honestly,” Slay said. “They show a lot of love. I have heard nothing but positive things. They consistently go to the playoffs. That’s something I look forward to doing.
“I want to be a part of something great.”