Eagles WR Jordan Matthews made a crazy, leaping, lunging sideline catch during practice Sunday, drawing a huge roar from the crowd at the Linc and earning dramatic slo-mo replay treatment from the giant screens over the end zones.
To everybody who saw it, it was just more evidence that the 23-year-old, second-year receiver from Vanderbilt is something special.
To Matthews? There was nothing special at all about it.
“The way I look at it, that’s what I have to do,” he said. “People may say, ‘That’s a tough grab, this and that,’ but God made me 6-3 for a reason. I’ve got to go up and get the ball. That’s got to be my job. If I’m going to stay in the league, I’ve got to be able to do that.
“And when your quarterback trusts you enough to put you in those situations, especially in critical times in games and practices, I know, ‘Hey, I’ve got to go up and get it.’ That’s the way I go about the game.”
The story talked about how Matthews is primed to follow his auspicious rookie year with an even bigger second NFL season, but he won't talk numbers, only about team wins. A year ago, he became one of only 13 rookies in NFL history — and one of four last year — with at least 65 catches, 850 yards and eight touchdowns. Reports have already said he's connecting with QB Sam Bradford, so it's a good sign for potential owners. Matthews also played well when current backup Mark Sanchez took over last year. Matthews is expected to stay in the slot position again this year.
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