The key to any team's success isn't just the level of talent it lists on its roster.
The key to a team's success - in most cases - depends on the depth of its roster.
When the Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, they will be without Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay who is sidelined with a groin injury.
Starting in his place will be veteran Isaiah Rodgers.
The 26-year-old was signed by the Eagles before last season, but sat out the entire season for violations of the league's gambling policy.
On April 23, 2024, Rodgers was reinstated by the NFL.
Rodgers played well enough in training camp this summer to be a starter. With the veteran Slay at one corner spot and the emergence of first round pick Quinyon Mitchell, Rodgers has come off the bench but still plays an important role.
Last week in Cincinnati, Rodgers was responsible for the Eagles first turnover since Reed Blankenship's interception against New Orleans on September 22.
With 12:21 left in the fourth quarter and the Birds leading 27-17, quarterback Joe Burrows launched a deep pass from about midfield to Ja'Marr Chase at the Eagles 15-yard line.
Rodgers was able to get a hand on the ball and tap it right to safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson who made the catch for a much needed turnover. The Eagles went on to win the game 37-17 and improve to 5-2.
At his locker this Wednesday, Rodgers talked about the play.
“He trusted me to be there and make that play,” Rodgers said. “I'm going to pick it, or nobody's going to catch it, or I'm going to tip it it to [Gardner-Johnson].
“I trusted that he was going to be over top...he was there, exactly were the ball went, which is great.
“It's something we practice at practice. The tips, the overthrows and things like that. Finally, we were able to get turnover. It felt good.”
Players know turnovers come in bunches.
This week at the Linc (4:05 PM - CBS), the Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars and their gunslinger Trevor Lawrence who was selected first overall by the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL draft. Lawrence led the Jags to the 2022 division title and playoff win since 2017.
Rodgers was asked about the match up.
“I played him a lot when I was a Indie, played him twice a year,” Rodgers said. “Great quarterback. He's always somebody that you've got to like grind to catch on to his tendencies, things like that.
“He's got a great receiver corps over there...from the receivers, the tight end to the running backs. So, you know he's going to come out there throwing the ball and delivering...and doing pretty good at that.
“I think the last few weeks they've put up over thirty points. We've got to he prepared, lock in on our craft and try to make plays.”
Lawrence and Jaguars (offense have put up big numbers at times this season.
On October 7, Jacksonville defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-34. The Jags defeated the
New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on October 20, 32-16.
Last week, Jacksonville (2-6) scored 27 points in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The Eagles offense has played error free football, scoring early and not turning the ball over.
The defense has given just two touchdowns over the last three games, all wins.
That is consistency. Rodgers said the Eagles started to be consistently good while finding who they really are.
“I think it's just trying to find our identity,” Rodgers said. “And understand it takes every level of our defense, from our -D-line, to the secondary. If everyone locks in on their craft, and locks in on a great week of practice it's going to be a great game day. You can't just turn it on on game days, it all starts on what we do on Wednesday.”
Rodgers was told linebacker Nakobe Dean had been asked about the defense's identity after the Bengals game. He used one word...”physicality.”
“Definitely,” Rodgers agreed. “Physical and no matter what the outcome of the game, we want every team we ever play against to say those guys played hard.” *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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