Philadelphia Eagles: This Season, Jordan Hicks Became a Star
By Chuck Booth
Brandon Graham may have been the lone Pro-Bowl representative for the Philadelphia Eagles, but Jordan Hicks was the most important member of the defense.
In his second season in the league, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks has come into his own a. Providing the heart and soul of the unit, Hicks has had a special season. While his tackling was sound, his biggest performances have come in pass defense. According to Eagles beat writer Jeff McLane, Jordan Hicks was 1st NFL LB with 11-plus takeaways in first 24 career games since the Steelers Jack Ham (1971-72), per Elias Sports Bureau. Eight of those takeaways have come this season.
Hicks has become one of the best of not the best coverage linebacker in the NFL this season. Hicks’ versatility in coverage allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to be more aggressive because he could handle the tight end in one on one coverage. Hicks also helped the Eagles overcome injuries on defense because of his play. Adding to his five interceptions, Hicks also racked up 11 pass deflections, tops among all linebackers in the NFL.
Along with Nigel Bradham, Hicks was able to make up a formidable Eagles linebacking core. If the Eagles are able to add another impact linebacker either through the draft or free agency, this unit, not the defensive line could become the backbone of the defense.
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In an interview with CBS 3, Hicks discussed his excitement for next season,
“There’s a lot to look forward to, and obviously it’s disappointing now with what we’re faced with, but at the end of the day, we have a lot to look forward to with the players that we have, and the coaching staff that we have,” Hicks said. “The personality and character of this team, I think we’re very close.”
If Hicks is able to improve next season in the way that he did this year, there could also be an all-pro season in his future. At 24-years-old Hicks is only scratching the surface of his potential and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz should be salivating at the chance to mold him into an effective every down linebacker. Hicks was even durable enough to appear in all 16 games this season after appearing in eight during his rookie season.
Hicks made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks all season long. It was a snub that he didn’t make the pro bowl this season but the linebacker position is loaded in the NFC but if he stays healthy next season, he can pack his bags for Hawaii and then some.
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Hicks will come back next season stronger and ready to compete with a full knowledge of the defense behind him. Going into the offseason fully healthy, he expects to come back stronger as well since he’ll be able to do a full workout regime. Look for the Philadelphia Eagles swiss army knife to be all over the field again in 2017, breaking up passes and then some.