Zech McPhearson turning heads at Eagles camp as he seeks to crack cornerback rotation

[time2rock]

Zech McPhearson turning heads at Eagles camp as he seeks to crack cornerback rotation

 

McPhearson had a strong start to camp, but is seeking to be better

 

By Jeff Kerr

 

Aug 4, 2021 at 7:58 am ET2 min read

 

 

 

 

Getty Images

When the Philadelphia Eagles signed Steven Nelson prior to the start of training camp, rookie Zech McPhearson wasn't upset in the least -- even if snaps were going to be taken away from him. McPhearson viewed the signing as a blessing, an opportunity for him to learn from an experienced veteran in the league. 

"Another vet coming into the room," McPhearson said at the conclusion of Tuesday's Eagles training camp practice. "More opportunity for me to learn and become a better ballplayer." 

McPhearson isn't a contender to start (those spots are occupied by Nelson and Darius Slay), nor is he the primary defender in the slot (Avonte Maddox). The Eagles accomplished what they wanted to with their fourth-round rookie heading into camp, having him learn behind an experienced cornerback group on the depth chart.

McPhearson has been taking advantage of the opportunity. Cornerback is a strength thanks to McPhearson's prowess in camp, as he's been around the football in team sessions. McPhearson had an interception off Jalen Hurts Monday and had multiple pass breakups in the first padded practice Tuesday. 

Disrupting the play is nice, but McPhearson wants more -- especially since he has ambitions of becoming a great cornerback in the league. 

"The ones today, they're touchdowns if I catch those," McPhearson said. "That's two dropped pick-sixes. That's what, 12 points off the board? That's a lot in this league. Whenever you get the opportunity to play a ball like that, you have to capitalize.

"There's little room for error in this league." 

There's an opportunity for McPhearson to prove to the Eagles he deserves to be part of the cornerback rotation -- and a starter down the road. At this stage in the game, McPhearson is just focusing on learning from the veterans and making an impact when his name is called. 

"The team has good culture going on," McPhearson said. "I'll just be in the moment and I'm trying to just grind every day. Every day is a day to get better."

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/zech-mcphearson-turning-heads-at-eagles-camp-as-he-seeks-to-crack-cornerback-rotation/?fbclid=IwAR04uxafcEVRlnnA_SAhNoe1KPmmzAwDZpvFcGRpPSDb4WcOqGYFSlIAO2w

[UK_EaglesFan89]

The Nelson signing is absolutely good for McPhearson. He can spend a year learning from 2 really good pros and I'm sure he's going to see the field at times too. That's almost the ideal situation for him to be honest. 

[time2rock]

4 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

The Nelson signing is absolutely good for McPhearson. He can spend a year learning from 2 really good pros and I'm sure he's going to see the field at times too. That's almost the ideal situation for him to be honest. 

If it ("it" being that they signed Nelson) does piss him off a bit then hopefully he is wired to let that motivate him ... to push him to work even harder.  Being brand new to the team and to the league, he shouldn't feel upset that they signed another CB.  But hopefully he continues to work hard and improve ... we'll need a starting CB perhaps as soon as next year if Nelson is a 1 year band aid.  And with Slay getting long in the tooth, who knows how many more years he has.  Would love our future (as in 2023 or so) to be McPhearson and a 2022 1st rd pick (whoever that may be).  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

If it ("it" being that they signed Nelson) does piss him off a bit then hopefully he is wired to let that motivate him ... to push him to work even harder.  Being brand new to the team and to the league, he shouldn't feel upset that they signed another CB.  But hopefully he continues to work hard and improve ... we'll need a starting CB perhaps as soon as next year if Nelson is a 1 year band aid.  And with Slay getting long in the tooth, who knows how many more years he has.  Would love our future (as in 2023 or so) to be McPhearson and a 2022 1st rd pick (whoever that may be).  

Oh absolutely. In some ways it could be a double win? Learn from a good pro and use this situation as motivation to try and win a spot as a starter this year. 

[time2rock]

1 hour ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Oh absolutely. In some ways it could be a double win? Learn from a good pro and use this situation as motivation to try and win a spot as a starter this year. 

The way our players were dropping (past tense … hopefully the overhaul of the staff corrects that), his time may come sooner rather than later.  So best be prepared.  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

46 minutes ago, time2rock said:

The way our players were dropping (past tense … hopefully the overhaul of the staff corrects that), his time may come sooner rather than later.  So best be prepared.  

Oh absolutely. I mean look we are all pretty pleased they brought in Nelson! But let's be honest we are still very thin at the position. We will absolutely need depth at corner even if our health is improved. 

[PoconoDon]

If there's one prospect the Eagles need to exceed expectations, it's McPhearson. A mid round CB who turns out to be great is just what the doctor ordered for this secondary. It's way, way, way past due that Howie and co. find a great one.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

On 8/7/2021 at 1:34 AM, PoconoDon said:

If there's one prospect the Eagles need to exceed expectations, it's McPhearson. A mid round CB who turns out to be great is just what the doctor ordered for this secondary. It's way, way, way past due that Howie and co. find a great one.

Absolutely! And if they could then add a stud CB in the first round next year they could turn things around very quickly in that secondary.