The Return Game

The Eagles added a major weapon on offense in AJ Brown. They added several key players on defense. Both units should be improved in 2022. What about special teams?

Jake Elliott had a terrific season in 2021. You just hope he can repeat that type of performance.

Arryn Siposs had a complicated season. Jimmy Bama wrote a detailed piece on the punting situation that really breaks things down. Siposs was good situationally, but needs work overall. And he stunk at the end of the season. That really hurt. But there is something to work with so the Eagles brought him back and there isn’t any competiton for him as of now.

The return game was bad. The Eagles ranked 29th in kickoff returns and 26th in punt returns. Yikes. Jalen Reagor was the primary guy in both areas and just struggled. He has the physical tools, but simply hasn’t shown any feel for how to be a good returner in the NFL. The Eagles need more of a return game this year and they can’t rely on Reagor as the answer.

They didn’t draft or sign a veteran to fill the spot. They did sign UDFA Britain Covey and he’s got a legit shot to win the role as the primary KOR and PR.

Covey was a great returner at Utah, with 5 career return touchdowns. Four of those came on punt returns and one via KOR. Just looking at results can give you a false positive, though. You need to focus on traits. That will give you a better idea of whether a player can succeed in the NFL.

Covey is small at 5-8, 169. That’s not ideal in a receiver, but can help a returner. It can be harder to tackle a small target. Covey has solid speed, running a 4.48 at his Pro Day. That’s plenty fast for a returner.

When you watch his returns you see the most critical skill for a returner…the ability to make the first guy miss. Whether we’re talking about an NFL legend like Gale Sayers or great Eagles returners like Brian Mitchell, Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson and Darren Sproles, the key is to be able to make the first defender miss. You can’t count on great blocking giving you a clear path to start.

You make that defender miss by eluding him and/or being able to break arm tackles or by simply using speed to get by him. Covey can do all of that.

Watch that video and you see a really talented returner.

• good feet
• vision
• acceleration
• strong
• good balance
• elusive
• stops/starts well
• runs hard
• comfortable in traffic

Those traits will give him a chance to succeed in the NFL. Let’s compare Covey with some current NFL returners who have had some success.

Ray Ray McCloud (5-9, 190) led the NFL in punt return yards. He averaged 9.7 yards per punt return. He also averaged 22.2 yards per kickoff return. McCloud ran a 4.53 at the Combine before the 2018 draft.

Jakeem Grant (5-7, 171) might be the best returner in the league. He’s got 4 punt return TDs in his career and averages 10.3 yards per return for his career. He’s got a pair of kickoff return TDs and averages 24.5 yards per return. Grant is an explosive player. He ran 4.34 at his Pro Day.

DeAndre Carter (5-8, 188) is a former Eagle who has become a good returner. He averaged 25 yards per KOR last year and had a TD. Carter ran 4.44 at his Pro Day.

Braxton Berrios (5-8, 184) has developed into an outstanding PR/KOR. He ran 4.44 at his Pro Day.

Isaiah McKenzie (5-7, 173) is a solid returner on both punts and kickoffs. He ran 4.42 at the Combine.

Deonte Harty (5-6, 170) is a good returner for the Saints. He ran 4.48 at his Pro Day.

This should give you an idea that Covey’s size and speed can work in the NFL. His skill set can work in the NFL. None of that means that he will become a good NFL player, but he has the potential to do just that.

The Eagles don’t need him to be a dynamic returner. They need someone who can be a solid returner and deliver a good return from time to time. That just hasn’t been happening in recent years.

If Covey isn’t the answer, the Eagles need someone else to emerge. Maybe things will finally click for Reagor, but that feels more like a pipe dream than a possibility. Greg Ward is not the answer. Quez Watkins did some returning in college. Boston Scott has NFL experience on both punts and kickoffs. He just hasn’t had much success.

Covey won’t be intimidated. He’s 25 years old and that should bring a maturity and professionalism that isn’t present in all rookies. Reagor was 21 when he got to the NFL and it showed. Covey was a tough, aggressive player in college. He wasn’t afraid to work the middle of the field. Covey didn’t run out of bounds when he was outside. He fought for every yard. That mentality will serve him well as he tries to carve out a role in the NFL.

In terms of Covey as a receiver, he could be a role player. His size and skills should make him a natural in the slot. He can make tough catches and has good RAC ability. Covey should be fun to watch when Training Camp starts next week.

*****

Gutted to hear of former Eagles WR Charles Johnson's death.

C.J. played nine NFL seasons and spent 1999 & 2000 with the Eagles. Great guy, tremendous personality, had been working as an assistant AD at a high school in North Carolina.

He was only 50.https://t.co/9cAErSxyqs

— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) July 20, 2022

Johnson was 90-1056-8 as a receiver for the Eagles. That would be an impressive season, but those numbers were spread across 1999 and 2000. Just looking at the numbers, Johnson doesn’t seem like an important Eagle.

Numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

Johnson came to Philly from the Steelers, where winning was a habit. Johnson helped Andy Reid to turn the dysfunctional Eagles into a good organization. After starting the 1999 season 0-4, the Eagles went 16-12 and won a playoff game in Johnson’s time with the team.

Johnson helped mentor Donovan McNabb. He had McNabb come live with his family for part of the offseason. That helped Johnson and McNabb to bond and also kept the young QB grounded. Two other QBs from the class of ’99 (Tim Couch, Cade McNown) failed in part because they dating Playboy playmates and doing too much partying. Don’t underestimate how important mentoring can be for young QBs.

I can’t tell you what a great moment this was.

One of Charles Johnson's memorable moments with the #Eagles was scoring the game winning touchdown against the Cowboys in 1999 which turned out to be Andy Reid's first head coaching win and Doug Pederson threw the touchdown#FlyEaglesFly #NFL @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/Jtp7XRJldv

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) July 20, 2022

I probably scared the neighbors with all the yelling I did at that moment.

RIP Charles Johnson…gone way too soon.

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