• March 19, 2024

Can Jordan Matthews Blossom Into A Number One Receiver In 2015?

JordanMatthews7The Eagles will need second-year wide out Jordan Matthews to take his game to another level, as he is moved from the slot position in Chip Kelly’s offense to one of the outside receiver spots.  Kelly spoon-fed Matthews in his the rookie a year by using him in the slot almost exclusively because it allowed him to focus on that position and that position alone.

The rookie pass catcher was able to master the routes and assignments from the slot postion and he had a very good rookie season.  He caught 67 passes for 872 yards and eight touchdowns.  Those are outstanding numbers for a rookie, but they need him to make a big jump in 2015 to become a dominant player.

If he is able to take over from the departed Jeremy Maclin, as the team’s number one receiver, defenses will not treat him like they did a year ago.  He was always singled-covered in 2014, but that won’t be the case this time around, if he comes into his own.

If he progresses to become the Birds number one target, the second year wideout is going to be facing the opposing team’s best cornerback and at times, he will be double-teamed, but he still will need to find a way to get open.   Matthews thinks he can handle it.

“I think you would think that I might get a whole lot more outside reps now just because Maclin is gone, but I already had talked to coaches, and they were already going to implement me more on the outside as opposed to just the inside regardless”, said in an interview with Zach Berman of Philly.com.  “I don’t think that’s a crazy, huge deal.”

Maclin was a Pro Bowler in 2014.  He caught 85 passes for 1313 yards with 10 touchdowns and 56 of those catches were for first downs.  Third down and long and in the red zone is where the rubber meets the road for a number one receiver.

Matthews proved in 2014 that he’s a guy who can make plays when it counts and that’s an important trait of a number one receiver.  He contributed eight touchdowns and 42 first down catches in his rookie campaign.

Can Matthews be the kind of receiver, who gets open despite every person in the stadium knowing the quarterback is coming to him?  He has to develop his self-confidence to the point where he refuses to be covered by anybody.

Kelly’s decision to use Matthews exclusively at the slot position in his rookie year not only allowed him to focus on the position, it also allowed him to not have to deal with a weakness in his game.

One of the negative scouting reports on Matthews coming out of college, concerned his inability to get off a jam.  He didn’t have to deal with the jam versus press technique, when he was playing the slot because he was lining up off the ball.

They’re moving him outside this year and he’ll need to establish himself immediately, as a nonsense big wide receiver, who refuses to let corners jam him.  A lot of this is attitude.  He should try to break the arms of cornerbacks with his forearm, if they try to jam him.  He should attack them like he’s the defender.  You always want to be the aggressor. A guy of Matthews size should dare a little defensive back to try to jam him.

He must learn to use his size 6’3″ 212 pounds against defensive backs.   Matthews needs to be a bully when he’s coming off the line, and a bully when the ball is the air as well as when he’s blocking the little guys.  The former Vanderbilt star doesn’t need to get into altercations with defensive backs, but he should be pushing them around every chance he gets.

Matthews will be getting in some good work versus the jam in practice because that’s all the Eagles defense plays.  They move their corners up and try to delay the release of the wide receivers.  The young wideout will have some great battles with big corners like veteran Byron Maxwell and rookie Eric Rowe.  If he can get off the line against Maxwell, he will handle most of the corners in the league.

The young wide out does have some speed.  He ran a 4.46 forty-yard dash in his NFL Combine workout in 2014, but can he be a deep threat for the Birds. Can he take the top off the coverage or is he just an intermediate threat?   Will he be a big yardage after the catch guy?

Matthews will also need to show he has the burst in and out of his breaks to get open consistently against some of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s got to be able to get separation on a consistent basis in order to be the Eagles number one wide out. He will need to perfect his routes, so that he can set up corners to double moves.  Of course going up and getting the football at its highest point is a technique, which will benefit the 6’3″ receiver.

Eagles new quarterback Sam Bradford has been throwing the football with Matthews and the other receivers at the Nova Care Complex.  The work that Bradford and Matthews get in this summer will probably shape how they play together.  Will Matthews gain the confidence of Bradford to the point that any time he gets in trouble, he looks up Matthews?

There are two people that Matthews needs to win over if he wants to become the team’s number one receiver.  He needs to make Kelly a believer and he must gain the confidence of Bradford.

GCOBB

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Jeff Kolsky
May 20, 2015 1:53 pm

I’m not sure how much of a “deep” threat we can expect for both Jordan and the other receivers. Whether Bradford or Sanchez under center, neither guy has made their living by throwing the deep ball.

Jordan is going to make plays because he has NFL talent, but to be a true #1 WR you have to want to be “the guy” and the coach is going to want to showcase that in his offense.

Is Chip looking to space our the football, both with the rush and the pass? Will Jordan be a bit more “selfish” and not emphasize the notion of having a great “group” of WR’s, and instead want to be the top guy within the group?

The celing for all of the receivers rests on the health of Bradford, he simply can do more with the football, where Sanchez is limited.

The Eagles offense is going to put up points and collect stats. A 80 catch/1100 season with 8-10 touchdowns is certainly in reach for Jordan, so if those lines equate into a # 1 WR, then yes, Jordan can blossom into that guy.

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 20, 2015 2:33 pm

GCOBB,
I am of the belief that kelly’s idea of a number one and our traditional view are quite different. i don’t think he wants an ego that ‘needs to be thrown to’. He would tell you last year that each game had different number 1’s based on defense– Mac some games, ertz, matthews in others…. I think whenever i read ‘who is the number 1’ that kelly is snickering at the idea….

paulman
paulman
May 20, 2015 4:22 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

I agree 100% and have stated so ever since Kelly was HiIred that he just doesn’t view his Receivers Corp’s as #1, #2,#3 or #4 ..
HE rather have 4-5 Receivers Catch 40-50 Balls each then 1-2 Players with 900-100 Receptions and little production from anyone else..
He plans for favorable match-up and likes to have Defenses have to prepare for every Receiver that’s on the field whether they are Speed, Possesion, or Red-Zone Targets… similar to what the Patriots and Packers have been doing for Years…
1 Week it’s Gronkowski, the next it’s Edelman, or LaFell, or Wright, or Amendola or one of the Backs out of the Backfield, One week its 50 Rushes by a 3 headed Monster, the next Week its 45 Passes and 20 Rush Attempts
This is the type of Offense that Kelly wants to get too where Opposing Defensed can’t key on 1-2 Players like in the past (McCoy or D-Jax) and a big reason why neither of them are in Philly anymore since they most likely wouldn’t be handle the less reps and plays called for them and Kelly didn’t want to deal with it.. …

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 20, 2015 4:28 pm
Reply to  GarryCobb

All that said I think if dez Bryant was not such a jerk Kelly would take him!

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 3:07 am
Reply to  GarryCobb

G, I agree. I think guys like Matthews, Ertz, & Agholor will have great years this year, reception wise, because of Bradford’s history of short passes, & their skill sets of YAC, RAC. My concern, is keeping porcelain knee on the field past the pre-season.

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 21, 2015 7:18 am
Reply to  DCar

porcelain knees ??!!!!?!?!…..LMBO!!!!

paulman
paulman
May 20, 2015 4:28 pm

I think some are selling Matthews short as a WR, do note that Jordan Matthews was a 3 Year Starter and Record Holder in the SEC for most receptions and played primarily the Outside WR Position for Vanderbilt who had average QB’s and no real other Offensive weapons so opposing Defenses in the SEC (FLorida,Georgia,Alabama,LSU,etc,etc) could really hone in and game plan on attempting to stop Mathews, who still put up great College Stats over his Vanderbilt Career..
He is not a burner or a deep threat by any means, but Matthews has size, body control, good hands and competes for the Ball and should be very successful regardless of whether he is the Outside, Slot, or Motion Receiver in this Offense …

daggolden
daggolden
May 21, 2015 12:02 am

Bullshit. Maclin sure looked like a #1 receiver last year. lol

daggolden
daggolden
May 21, 2015 12:10 am
Reply to  daggolden

To think Chip doesn’t want a #1 receiver is stupid. He wanted Odell Beckham last year. If Armani Cooper, Kevin White or Mike Evans would of fell to him last year he would of taken them. Reports are he loved Beckham. He didn’t draft Nelson Agolhor @ # 20 and say I hope he is a good # 2 or # 3 receiver. lol

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 3:09 am
Reply to  daggolden

I agree. Good points dagg.

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 21, 2015 10:01 am
Reply to  daggolden

My point is i don’t think chip uses the terminology of ‘he’s a number 1’ type of thing– where as other coaches would come right out and say ‘dez bryant is our number 1″ — chip when answering that question would say ‘the number 1 is who the defense lets us get the ball to’–
not saying he woudn’t want Beckham…

daggolden
daggolden
May 21, 2015 1:03 am

One more thing is they might as well cut Marcus Smith II. If you think it was hard to get Boykins, Curry and Graham on the field (all not Chip players) just imagine getting Howies MSII on the field.Just imagine MSII becoming a player and Howie coming out of the basement puffing his chest outs saying I told you so. Graham is back because the Eagles were stuck at OLB, Curry has forced his way onto the field and still is under-utilized and Boykins is a lost cause. Theres noway in hell Chip gives Howie any satisfaction.

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 3:18 am
Reply to  daggolden

dagg, but.. but… but…. He’s working hard, & put on 20 pounds of muscle this off-season. Don’t you believe the fluff stories, being circulated by the Birds PR spin-masters to be true? LMMFBO! Dude is trash, a bust, a reach, & won’t make it past pre-season, unless everyone else isn’t healthy, or Graham, Long & Acho get hurt again.

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 3:02 am

Don’t see why not. Has it all, except exceptional speed- Quick for his size, not fast; Size; Strength; Smart; Great route runner; Good hands; RAC; YAC; Plays all 3 WR spots; Great work ethic; Plays hard; Not to mention his bloodlines, as Rice’s Cuz! I love the kid. If Huff can get his head out of his @$$, we could have a very formidable young WR corps, with Josh Huff, Nelson Agholor, & Matthews. Devante Davis is a wildcard, not to sleep on, & I’m interested in seeing how this kid Rasheed Bailey does in OTA’s, training camp, & pre-season, because he can easily make the squad, with the other slop we have. Austin, Maehl, & Ajirotutu, aren’t going to remind anyone of Rice, Largent, or Moss.

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 21, 2015 7:21 am
Reply to  DCar

LMBO!!!!

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 3:20 am

They better hope no injuries occur at OLB, because they have no depth. That’s the only reason Smith more than likely, isn’t going anywhere this year.

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 21, 2015 7:25 am
Reply to  DCar

DCar, I reasoned all off season leading into the draft, who do you have behind Graham, and Barwin if they get hurt???

I screamed for Bud Dupree, and low, and behold he fell to them at 20, and they passed on him, and the Steelers ran that selection up within 10 seconds. I said it before, and will say it again, we will regret not drafting him – they passed on another potential superstar, for a system fit – Who I’m fine with, but not in the 1st round..

paulman
paulman
May 21, 2015 9:40 am
Reply to  gmcliff

The Eagles have Kiko Alonso and last Years #1 Draft Pick Marcus Smith II
behind Barwin and Graham at OLB and will have battles between Travis Long and others for the 5th OLB…
Bud Dupree will be a good Player who needs to mature and stay focused on every snap like most Rookies do and should be a nice Fit for the Steelers
Chip Kelly obviously feels secure enough at OLB Position for he did not Draft a single OLB in this Draft and instead decided to concentrate on WR & DB’s and ILB with Jordan Hicks..
The Key here is Kiko ALonso who is a 3 Down Versatile LB who can Play inside,outside, drop back in pass coverage or even rush the passer on occasion, but Alonso’s Job will be to be that “Pass-Coverage LB Specialist” on the Team since Ryans,Kendricks & Barwin are Average at Best in Pass-Coverage and Graham mostly a Pass-Rusher and Marcus Smith II still remains a ??

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 11:13 am
Reply to  paulman

paul, that’s what I believe is going to happen also. Kendricks & Kiko will be inside, outside, rotating, & on the field the same time. There will be many downs when Ryans, Kiko, & are all out there together. Have no choice.

DCar
DCar
May 21, 2015 11:13 am
Reply to  DCar

*Kendricks*

paulman
paulman
May 21, 2015 12:02 pm
Reply to  DCar

Depending on MSII Development or lack there of, The Eagles may even have Rookie LB Jordan Hicks learn some reps at OLB.

daggolden
daggolden
May 21, 2015 5:36 am

Chip is getting very annoying. Chip don’t want this, Chip don’t want that, Chip don’t want this, Chip don’t want that. Chip wants a smart QB with a quick release and doesn’t turn the ball over(Doesn’t every head coach want that?). Chip don’t want his backs to lose yards and be put in 2nd and long and third and long(doesn’t every coach want that?). My god if I hear what Chip doesn’t want one more time. He didn’t invent the fucking game. Chip wants a certain size, speed and weight!. I want to know what Pete Carroll, Bill Bellichek and Nick Sabans philosophy’s are in actuality.

daggolden
daggolden
May 21, 2015 5:57 am

I agree with the posts above. Chip Kelly doesn’t control who is a #1 receiver is the QB does. When Foles played Maclin was his #1. As soon as Sanchez came in Matthews and Ertz started being targeted more. Bradford will determine who catches the most balls and who is the # 1 receiver.

zilents44
zilents44
May 21, 2015 1:09 pm

I have to say ms2 has to at least show in preseason if he is worth anything…..he has ability just neeeds to prove it…..not giving up on the kid yet