Press Pass: Eric Rowe, Jordan Hicks Meet The Media

so we could be waiting here till the sixth round. Greg, nice little Saturday we've gone for us, So we're watching the draft. There worst things to do. So we've talked obviously about how the Eagles may eventually still need to address some needs on the offensive line, not necessarily dire starting needs, but in terms of depth at least, do you feel like there is that depth if the Eagles have to wait all the way until the sixth round.

And I think what people have to understand is when you start getting later and later in the draft, you're obviously getting to prospects who have more flaws, Otherwise they would not be available in the sixth round. So certainly there are players on the offensive line who I think fit sort of the profile. They have the traits that fit with an athletic zone blocking scheme. I look at a Laurence Gibson, who's a tackle from Virginia Tech. Tested

out of control at the combine. He needs a lot of work, but when you put on the tape, you see a really athletic mover. Another intriguing tackle is Rob Chris from North Carolina State, who certainly has left tackle traits, which likely means you could play right tackle. Maybe you could even move them inside to guard. But there's players like that who I believe from tape study fit the profile that the Eagles look for in their run block.

I also think what you get when you get to Day three is just bigger variance on draft boards across the league. Everybody sort of thinks that the top first round players are pretty similar. When you get this deep, it's all about who can you plug into your scheme Guys like that. So you know a player who the Eagles may have as a fourth round offensive lineman other teams may not even have on their board. So there's an opportunity I think for there to be players there

in the sixth round. The Eagles have two sixth round picks right now, number one ninety one and one ninety six coming up in the sixth round, but it should be interesting to see what they do. Yeah, and again, you know there's other players I know you like. We've been talking quite a bit about Adrian Amos from Penn State, who I believe still on the board, and whether he's there in the sixth round only time will tell, but there are certainly other players that I think look like

players who fit what the Eagles would like. Amos is the opposite of Eric Row. Amos started at corner and became a safety, whereas Row started at safety and became a corner. But Amos, when you see him play, he played a ton over the slide and played man to man over the slot. So he's another big guy six to two eighteen that has corner and safety skills. And what's interesting to see as you sort of juxtapose what the Eagles have been able to do versus what other

teams were able to do. Seattle just took two offensive linemen within a few picks in the fourth round, both of whom were linked to the Eagles, both of whom came to the novicare complex Terry Pool from San Diego State and Mark Lewinsky from West Virginia, player who we have been talking a lot about, a player I would have loved to have seen as an Eagle, But clearly they didn't value him as highly as I did because

they traded out of the fourth round. Because to me, he was a fourth round type player who could have I don't want to say stepped right in. I don't think he would have been a starter of this year, but again, has those traits that you look for because he moved well. I really liked the fact that he was rarely on the ground when I watched him play at West Virginia. But obviously he's gone. They didn't feel

strongly enough. It's like Chips said yesterday when they drafted Jordan Hicks, he was so much higher than everyone else on their board that they had to take him. They obviously did feel that way about anybody in the fourth round, or they would have stayed there and made the pick.

All right, As we transition from hoping and wishing that some guys will be there in the sixth round, let's talk a little bit about the players the Eagles did choose in round two and round three on Day two who we will meet shortly in the novicare complex, Eric Rowe, a safety slash cornerback. The versatile defensive back from Utah Jordan Hicks, so you mentioned from Texas, the linebacker. I think we're going to see from these guys sort of

what we saw from Nelson Agilore yesterday. These are mature young men who are ready to step into this Chip Kelly program and begin work right away, you know. And I think that Row is to me a guy who could be a starter of the yard corner. I think he's going to be given every opportunity to start at corner on the outside opposite Byron Maxwell. Because he's big. He fits the profile six one two oh five safety

skills as well. But clearly, when you draft in the second round this kind of player and you like big corners, that's what you're starting him. At. Corner is a more important position than safety in the NFL, especially if you want to play press man, and in this Eagles defense, Eric Row has the capability, the length, the physicality, all that stuff to step in and do what cornerbacks are asked to do in the Seagle's defense as you take a little peek into the auditorium there. But Eric Row,

we've talked a lot about him. We went to the Senior Bowl. We saw the film room, stuff, physical, all that stuff. Everything checks all the boxes that the Eagles will be looking for at that position. Is an Eric Row is not a first round pick. And my guess, as he may have been a late first rounder on some boards, is because he's not that sudden, explosive, twitchy mover. But every other box he checks in terms of size, comfortable, movement, smooth and fluid. Can play physical press man, can play

shadow press man, can play off coverage. The one other thing you hope you improve with, and this is a coaching thing, is ball skills. When he runs on vertical routes, you want him to look for the ball a little sooner. That can be taught. So he really does check all the boxes that you look for. And interesting to hear Chip Kelly say yesterday that Erica would have been a target in round one if they had traded back from twenty and not been able to take Nelson Agilor so

certainly he was on their radar. Second year in a Row. We've seen the Eagles target a guy in round two, go up and get him. Did what they did for Jordan Matthews last year. I did it again for Eric Row this year. How about Jordan Hicks? You think that he is a player who can step in and if needed, would play right away. Fortunately the Eagles have the depth at the position where they don't have to ask him

to do that. But we send it over now to the auditorium to meet the Eagles day different than maybe visits with other teams. And I know you said where you're feeling when you left the building other teams, just the way the program was ran here. I can't explain like a certain like detailed, but it's just like a

feeling I had when I left you. I was like, man, this program is different, like the culture is different, the way they do things, and when I when I live, I just wanted to be a part of it so bad. Have you been able to see each chim Bill Davis Corey on one today and and if so, have they given you an idea of how they planned to use you? I did see him the day I saw him this morning, but just like a kind of like a great uh you know, say hello, say what's up again? But nothing

like exits and knows yet. So you don't know at this point whether you're gonna start you know, when practice starts, whether you're gonna be getting reps of quarterback of safety at this point. No, really, we haven't really talked to anything football wise, just you know, how you doing again? People humble starting camp in one position and maybe switching out in necessity or phrase to pick one say, I mean I hope where you know, wherever they placed me.

I overstated the whole season just so I can focus on it more. But I mean, if it happens to I need to switch out in necessa, you know, I'll gladly do it. You think you're better, you can get better at the corner or as it. Uh, I mean it's kind of a hard question because of two you know, totally different positions. Uh. You know, each position you have to have a certain mentality as far as being on the playing field. But I don't know, I can't really

choose really which one I'm better at. You at a need and because we had a new class of safeties coming in and it kind of allowed me to go out there. He moved around Why was that, Oh, just because well I was born in Cleveland, and I moved to Indianapolis, to oh Late to Kansas in the Austin, Texas, in the Houston just because my dad he just kept getting new job offers and so. But it was when I was very young, so it really didn't affect me

too much. But really just moved around really just really helped me, like, you know, adapt to new places easier. He was, Oh, he's an account right now. Familiarity with the guys already happened secondary those guys, Uh just like, no, I'm on the name basis nothing personal. I knew that there's a whole new turnaround in the secondary, so uh, I kind of knew a little bit about the guys about last year, but now it's kind of a new cropper. Guys, I don't even reached out to you since uh no,

you know who just last night. So situation for her so you uh yeah, I mean it is a good opportunity for me to come in and play and help the team out, you know, kind of fortunate. It's not like a situation maybe like I'm behind reevers, you know. But on the other end, if that did happen, I would learn a lot, just because you know, he has a lot of experience in the league. But uh, for this opportunity, I do have a great chance to play. Beagles always talk about not their desire for for all

wrong corner mats. Why do you think that's become so popular league? And how do you use that to your advantage? Just because the receivers are getting taller nowadays. Uh, now you're seeing six four sixty five six six receivers now in the league, and obviously you want a corner that can match up with him lengthwise. So corterback want to throw the fade on him, he can just reach over you. So really my length, who's kind of kind of advantage for me? My long arms and physical play just the

way I played the game. What do you like most about their scheme? I haven't learned much about the scheme, just learned a player too, just from the team visit. Uh. I haven't think again, I haven't. We haven't gotten to any football uh schematic, any football things yet. So it's Byron mask Well, someone who's was oh yeah, I watched him at Seattle and I was like, you know, past couple of years, I was like, man, this guy's good and now I know I get a chance to play

with him, could learn a lot from him. You know that they do like kind of strong. They talk to you about that part of the Uh again, no, they not a lot of exit and no has been going on. But if they do, do a light ref left right. I mean, That's what I've been doing in Utah, so I'll be very familiar with it. Where were you for the dress? I was at home my house in Houston. What do you know about Philadelphia? Have you that you've been here before before? The official visit and connections in

the city. Uh? No, this is really my first time on the East coast. Uh you know, really from the Midwest and kind of moved down south and went to the West coast. But nothing, no tides really on the East Coast since my first time. So just going through like the regular recruiting process when I made my official visits. When I got out there, I just fell in love with the city. The football team was perfect for me.

The scheme wise was the best fit. You know. I had a connection to coaches and the teammate's already there so in a great you know, academic program. So there was really no hesitation. Yeah, that's probably about like nine press, so, I mean I have my good amount of press coverage. You guys will use your hands a little more in the college game in the NFL? Did you did you have to rely on your hands a lot at that level and you think I would be adjusted for you? Really?

I didn't have to rely on my hands on the lot at the line of scrimmage. Yeah, to to knock off the time it was down the field. I'm not a very grappy player. Could we put a huge emphasis in our training camp Utah where not to grab down if it even when you can. So really going to the sea coming to the NFL, you know, I feel like that's a good thing because after down the field, I'm not grabby. I'm just all depending on the eyes

and hips. This is a division where you can see des Brian one week old back in the next week to Sean Jackson next week. Have you thought about that and playing in this division? Oh, I mean yeah, of course, but I feel like that's what every divisions the NFL. But uh, really, coming out to Pack twel, I feel like really prepared me because one week was Nelson Aguilar, next week with Vincent Mayle next week with Time Montgomery. I mean, so really the mentality I will you know,

translate to the NFL. I mean we talked about a little bit last night. You talk about I felt like he was the most explosive, shifty guy, uh and a receiver standpoint. I mean I didn't get to match with him one on one as a corner because I was safety that game. But when trying to tackle him, I mean, you really have to come come to balance, you're able to break down and and really focus because he put some moves on that I have not seen so college.

Just when you're around the ball a whole bunch of three interceptions, you think that's kind of just like bump of the draw sort of how it goes, and you know that aspect. Is that something that you're uh yeah, I mean my first couple of years, I had shaky hands. Uh. I had a lot of dropped interceptions. In my final two years, as when I finally improved my hands, Uh, I wasn't really getting many chances, and when I do, they weren't clear interception opportunities, more just kind of break

up the pass through the receiver's arms. But I really definitely have improved on catching the ball. I graduated in the fall of fourteen. Business Administration. All right, thanks guys, all right, exactly, Tony Faith all right, guys, we'll take questions reported now. Jordan lie said yesterday that that they had more composure to you than any player in the drift. Where was all of it? And and and is that

something you you followed them absolutely? Um, I mean it it began day one, you know, I mean it was it was a Senior Bowl first interaction. Had a had a meeting with basically the entire coach staff after Senior Boss, the only um full meeting like that that I actually had there. UM. Then went to the combine, had another meeting with them, UM. And then uh, let's see, coach Minner came out to pro day. Um, I came out

here for a week or for a day. So you know that that whole um experience, you know, being you know, they were the basically the only team that I truly saw continuing to pursue UM. So obviously that that's that showed a lot to me, and uh to them as well. You know, I mean, you know you you you obviously have no clue what's going to happen, um, you know, and I was extremely anxious, but you know, to me, this was the team that was pursuing pursuing me the most.

So um it made sense. Image whiff defense, import you know, it was I think the first one was the most difficult. Obviously, Um, I was a freshman. I came there, um with the expectation that that Will must Chap was going to be really my coach the entire time he was the coach and waiting at that at that moment um, and when he left, it was a big blow. But you know, I think what it did was it taught me to you know, be versatile and and learn um new defenses.

You know, I've I've come away with so many different schemes, terminology. Um. You know, I've played just about, um just about everything. I mean, shoot, you talk about three four four three, you know playing Mike Sam Will you know I've I've done just about every single position. Um. So I think it's it's done a lot of good for me, Uh, making this transition into the NFL, and and you know where you have no clue who's who's going to be your coaching and you just you roll. You gotta roll.

With it and and you know that's that's how it is. What do you know about the Eagles scheme is familiar too? I guess what you're the ones you played in Texas. Yeah, um, well, you know, I'm pretty sort of familiar with it. Like Eric said, that is the only the only exposure I've gotten from it is from my visit here, my day one day visit, and it was, um, you know, a few plays, you know, So I'm not extremely familiar with it.

But again, like I said, I think I'm versai. I think I'm I'm I can pick up on things quickly and I expect to do that absolutely aware that yeah, um, you know, I am aware of it. But I think one thing is going to do for me, especially being a rookie, is have the opportunity to learn from a lot of guys who've had a lot of experience in

this league and a lot of success successful experience. You know, they've there's a lot of great linebackers on this on this team, Um, that I can learn from that I can, um, you know, kind of go onto their wing. You know, I know one of them personally, Emmanuel Acho, he's uh, you know, he was my mentor at the University of Texas when I first got there. So you know, hopefully, uh that'll that'll help smoothen the transition out a little bit.

And I can't wait to learn from them. Yeah, did you get assessed maybe than you other teams, And yeah, I went on a few visits, had a few workouts. Um, you know, but but like I, like I said, they were really the only team that continued, um at each phase.

You know, it's you've got the Senior Bowl phase, you got the combine phase, the pro day, you know, and each time they were there, um, you know, and we were having real conversation about, um, what was gonna what was gonna happen here on draft Day and hopefully you know, and it actually worked out. So you know, I compared to other teams that that's the biggest difference for sure.

Similar to Eric, You've moved down on you moved a lot as a kid, right, It's what what brought you from city the city, and yeah, um, primarily mom's job. Just moving up, the moving up the ranks, and you know, just uh, I started in born in Colorado, moved to Indianapolis,

moved to South Carolina, went to Ohio. Um, you know, and I think what it instilled to me was wanting to, you know, meet new people and because when when college came, I had no ties to anybody I had, you know, I was I was pretty open minded during that whole process and really saw myself moving again because I think of that that background that I had and wanting that new experience. Oh. She she worked for a lot of different Pilsbury Revlon, She's worked for. She's in the business world.

She's corporate right now, she's with Bob Evans in the corporate um with with Croker, She's in the manage with Croker team. I think Charlie Strong on TV yesterday was describing you as a coach on the field. Where does that come from? Where did that start? You know? I've I mean I've always really filled that role, UM, and I prided myself and feeling that role. I see myself as a leader on the field and off the field.

And if you're gonna be a leader on the field, you got any position you gotta understan and UM defense and I think that comes easy and natural for me. UM do that much about to meet Grians and the type of a little bit it's a little bit Um obviously I'm gonna get to know a lot more. I've heard his name over and over and over again throughout this entire process. Um, but I'm you know, I'm excited

to get to get to know him and learn from him. Yeah, through through this just you know, Uh, he came in while we were having lunch, and you know, everybody, you know, you notice him when he walks in, and um, he's got a presence and obviously he's been here for a while and it's very established and um, somebody that's extremely

respected on this team. Just yeah, I mean obviously, coming in here, you're gonna need somebody to kind of help you and get you acclimated to to what this culture is like and what it means to be a pro um. So definitely, I mean I'm looking to learn. You know, I'm here open minded, trying to try and absorb as much as possible. Um, going through this, through this entire process as a rookie. For sure, I didn't give you not yet, not yet. He is Uh he reached out

to me yesterday said we'll talk. Um, So obviously that's going to happen. But you know, nothing yet, nothing yet. I'm you know, he's like he was extremely excited for me. Um, and you know, obviously I'm extremely excited to be part of this and and his teammate. Again that has dealt with twice it happened to you where you concerned that your career would be derailed at this would not no, I mean not derailed. Um. That was actually my second in a row I had. That was my second season

ending injury in a row. And you know, you learn a lot from that time. UM, But never once did I expect, you know, this whole you know, my dream, my my end goal to be disrupted. UM. You know how it affected me. Obviously it's probably affected me a little bit, questions and everything. But something you learn from is something you grow from. Um. I've learned a lot about who I am as a person, how to persevere, um, how to be a leader when you can't actually play.

You know, little things that that you really wouldn't wouldn't think about, um, if you don't actually go through the situation. So for me, um, it was huge in my in my maturity, in my growth. UM. You know, and obviously I'm one hundred percent healthy now, I'm you know, it's an achilles is something you really can't. You really can't help, you know. It's it's one of those injuries that it

just happens, you know, and there's no explanation. So coming back from that was was was, you know, definitely a hard period in my life, but it's made me stronger for sure. Yeah. I appreciate you guys, all right, So I was expected too. Very impressive young men. Eric Rowe and Jordan Hick the two second day picks for the Eagles. We're gonna take a little break now on Eagles Draft Central. Come back when the Eagles are back on the clock

right now. They're scheduled to have two six round picks, number one ninety one, one ninety six overall, of course, always the possibility they will trade into the fifth round somehow. But also check back shortly on Philadelphia Eagles dot com as we will have exclusive in studio interviews with both Eric Rowe and Jordan Hicks. For now, we take a break on Eagles Draft Central. We'll see you in a little bit.