Four-for-Four: The ‘Talking the Talk’ Edition

EAGLES

MACLIN STEPS UP

Jul 26, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) during training camp at the Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

When the Eagles decided to release DeSean Jackson, through no fault of his own, the focus of the Eagles threat on the outside immediately shifted to Jeremy Maclin. Coming off season-ending ACL surgery, Maclin’s recovery was apparently successful enough to have the team re-sign him for a one-year deal. Some have speculated that he even had a role in the release of Jackson, suggesting a fractured relationship between the two receivers. Back at Eagles headquarters this past week, Maclin stepped up to the plate as the new leadership presence in the Eagles receiving corps with a strong, convincing stance on where the team is at.

"“I don’t think you release a guy to send a message. We’re not in high school anymore. I don’t think you do it like that…It’s all about doing the right thing at the end of the day, that’s what you do. You come up, you show up to work, do the right things, be positive, things are going to work out in your favor. It all comes down to doing the right things. “We’ll be fine, man.” “Because I have faith in the offense and I got faith in the guys we have in the locker room, Chip said it himself. The offense isn’t built around one guy. We have multiple guys that can go out there and make plays. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do this year.”"

We’ll never know exactly what went down between the members of the current Eagles squad and Jackson. It is comforting, however, seeing Maclin trying to take on some of the leadership responsibilities lost when the team cut ties with Jason Avant.

THE EVAN MATHIS CHRONICLES

The speculation of whether Eagles guard Evan Mathis, who earlier this offseason was involved in a notion that he wanted a new contract. With OTAs getting underway this past week, the roundabout story of whether Mathis would arrive was entertaining theatre to say the least.

First, Philly.com’s Paul Domowitch tweeted, on the eve of OTAs, information about Mathis’ intentions.

Sure enough, a day later, Mathis was back in town and Deadspin.com had plenty of fun at Domo’s expense because of it. In addition, Mathis got in on the ribbing of Domowitch.

Continuing to be the main attraction at OTAs, it was Mathis’ form of transportation that caught the attention of everyone at the Novacare complex.

At the end of the day though, through all the eccentric lineman’s antics, Mathis did deliver the good news many had hoped he would.

"“I’m here. I’m not holding out. I much prefer reading the articles and the hate tweets and everything from conjecture as opposed to any information that ever came from anybody that knew anything about the situation.”"

The last thing the Eagles need is one of their best players holding out when training camp starts.

BARWIN AND KELCE WIN GAME THREE

The Flyers lost game three of their series with the Rangers in disappointing fashion at home. That said, a few members of the Eagles were in attendance and, as they have tended to do over the last year, were the most fascinating aspect of the experience. Most notably Connor Barwin and Jason Kelce.

Barwin. In a suite. With his sleeves cut-off like Mac from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Fantastic.