One of the most highly disappointing position groups for the Philadelphia Eagles, this season, has been the wide receivers.
During the offseason, Chip Kelly decided to part ways with the 2014 Pro-Bowl wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin. Maclin posted a career-high, 15.5 yards per reception in the 2014 season, yet the Eagles would not make a commitment to sign him the following season.
As a result, the Kansas City Chiefs and former Philadelphia coach, Andy Reid were more than happy to offer Maclin a deal.
As for the Eagles, they were left without their number one receiver and headed into the 2015 season with a question mark at the position. Most looked at the receivers who were still left on the roster and figured the Eagles would be able to make due, with a better performance from the quarterback and running back positions. No one saw it coming when Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray, the two biggest free-agent acquisitions that the season depended on, would flop.
With mediocre play from both Bradford and Murray, the Eagles were forced to rely heavily on the wide receiving corp made up of second year players Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, newly acquired free agent, Miles Austin and the rookie first round draft pick, Nelson Agholor.
Matthews was expected to emerge as Philadelphia’s number one reciever this season; however, he has yet to fit those expectations. Agholor was another receiver who was supposed to fill the shoes of Maclin, yet the rookie has only recorded 11 receptions for 137 yards through six games. Huff is also another receiver who has yet to make any sort of impact this season, despite having scored two touchdowns this season.
The most curious decision regarding the amount of playing time among receivers is the fact that Austin is second for amount of snaps played. Through 10 weeks, Austin has showed that his age is starting to affect his ability to play the game. Austin has completed 12 receptions for 212 yards this season, yet he plays more snaps than Philadelphia’s first-round draft selection, who was projected to become rookie of the year.
One thing is certain, the Eagles as a whole are in disarray. If they continue to rely on an aged-receiver who has more drops than receptions, their season is in danger.
Hopefully, the Eagles will be able to show better play with back-up quarterback, Mark Sanchez at the helm. With improved quarterback play and better blocking from the offensive line, Philadelphia should be able to collect a victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. But at this point, everything is in questions.
Dan Ketler is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ketler11.
