Philadelphia Eagles: Rudy Ford is making tackles and silencing doubters

It’s time to show a little respect to Rudy Ford, Philadelphia Eagles fans.

When the Philadelphia Eagles executed a rare player-for-player trade with the Arizona Cardinals midway through the 2019 NFL preseason, it felt rather inconsequential.

Sure, the Eagles were able to address a position of need, safety, in exchange for their fourth-ish defensive tackle who wasn’t even a lock to make the final 53 man roster, but honestly, did anyone really think a deal exchanging Bruce Hector for the Cardinals’ 2017 sixth-round pick Rudy Ford would reverberate even one year into the future?

Well, for the Eagles, it has and then some.

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Sidebar: Hector was ultimately waived by the Cards in their final trim down to 53 and re-signed with the Eagles’ practice squad shortly thereafter. He appeared in three games with one start for the 2019 Birds and is currently a member of the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad.

After watching his 2019 season come to a premature end via an abdominal injury that landed the ex-Auburn Tiger on IR, Ford returned to the Eagles for the final year of his four-year, rookie-scale contract with one simple goal: Make the roster.

Sure, the Eagles had invested serious assets into deepening their talent pools at both safety and on special teams, but Ford remained steadfast. While external observers, like yours truly, questioned his addition to the final 53 man roster – especially with Marcus Epps and Craig James borderline locks to make the team – Ford kept his nose down and skirted through cutdown day and the Eagles’ waiver wire claim of ex-Lions RB Jason Huntley.

And so far, the Eagles presumably couldn’t be happier with Ford’s contributions to the team.

Now sure, he did have that little snafu in Week 1 against Washington that realistically had very little to do with the game’s eventual outcome, but through two games and 44 special teams snaps, Ford has racked up a team-high five special teams tackles while leading the way on the game’s third phase as the Eagles’ unquestioned ace.

Just for context, Ford had five special teams tackles in 2019 too, but it took him 10 games and 212 snaps to accomplish the feat.

Typically lining up as the team’s left gunner, Ford’s 4.34 speed has been on full display when defending punts and kicks this season; coming a step away from a legitimate play of the week candidate on a would-be downed punt at the one-yard line.

Sidebar II: Why has no one made a highlight of said play on Twitter? I’d love to share it with the #Birdgang but apparently, no one found it all that impressive. If you’re reading this and can make said video please let us know at @Sec215 and we’ll happily retweet it.

Next. The Devonta Freeman saga ends with him joining NFC East rival. dark

Look, do the Philadelphia Eagles have a few too many special teams-only players on their roster? Maybe so, I’m not going to lie. With that being said, Rudy Ford is rapidly silencing any doubts over whether his spot on the roster should be in play for any future moves, and could be on his way to taking up Chris Maragos‘ mantle as the Eagles’ next great special teamer. Who knows, maybe one day Ford will be as ubiquitous with the number 36 as the last guy who wore it. I think he played running back?

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