Philadelphia Eagles: Mack Hollins embraces his sweet 16
With DeSean Jackson back in the fray, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mack Hollins has embraced his inner sweet 16 and bypassed a number in the 80s.
For the second straight season, the Philadelphia Eagles may open up the 2019 NFL season without a wide receiver with a number in the 80s.
Now granted, the team did eventually sign Jordan Matthews, who donned the number he wanted to wear all along, 80, but still, of the eight receivers to play for the Eagles last season, only two didn’t have a number between 10 and 19, those being Matthews and Kamar Aiken.
But it didn’t have to be that way.
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No, after the return of DeSean Jackson, who understandably wanted his signature number 10 back, third-year UNC product Mack Hollins had a chance to select any number he wanted, 80, 81, 82, but no, he instead opted for presumably the only number in the teens not already taken or retired; 16.
That’s an… interesting choice.
Now strangely enough, when you look at jersey numbers historically, there are actually more players in the NFL Hall of Fame who wore number 16 than any other number in the teens, followed closely behind by 12 and 15 (eight each).
In Eagles history, the best player to don a 16 jersey was probably Norm Snead (as per NJ.com), who played quarterback for the team from 1964-70 (remember him?).
Most recently, DeAndre Carter donned the number last season, before being tragically waived to make room for defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, who only lasted eight days on the roster before eventually being waived himself (more on that here).
Strangely enough, Hollins and Carter actually share a similarity in that they are both not only competent bottom of the depth chart receiving options, but are also very competitive special teamers, with the former serving as a reliable gunner, and the latter leading the team in kick returning yards last season.
But unlike Carter, who many believe got a raw deal in 2018, Hollins has a very good chance to make an impact with the Birds in 2019.
Initially slated to receive an uptick in production following an encouraging rookie campaign, Hollins’ season ended before it began when he landed on IR during the preseason due to a groin injury.
However, the room Hollins is returning to looks a whole lot different from the one he left mere months ago.
With the additions of DeSean Jackson in free agency, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside in the draft respectively, Hollins’ roster spot is far from guaranteed, as he’ll have to outperform Shelton Gibson, Charles Johnson, Greg Ward, and DeAndre Thompkins, but between his experience in Doug Pederson’ scheme, and his special teams prowess, it would take a serious drop off for that to happen.
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Ultimately, regardless of the number he chooses to wear, be it a cool one like 81, or a weird one like, well, 16, 2019 is going to be a paramount year for Mack Hollins’ future and all but determine his ceiling as an NFL player. For the Eagles’ sake, let’s hope he takes that opportunity and runs with it like his signature go route.