As the Eagles’ offseason program continues, the team has seemingly filled most of the starting positions in the secondary. Signing James Bradberry gives the team its CB2, and with just one new UDFA addition to safety — and Rodney McLeod now with the Colts — it looks like Marcus Epps will be the guy.
Several players spoke to reporters Wednesday after their gym session, and Avonte Maddox and TJ Edwards both threw their support behind Epps as a starter.
AVONT MADDOX“He’s a great player. He is intelligent. I sit next to him every day in our DB room. We have our own little cahoot quizzes, and me and him fight, and he still beats me by, like, three points — but next week I got him, don’t worry.
He is definitely ready to start. He goes out, he puts in the job, he takes the time, he studies in the movie theater […] He is not afraid to come and tackle someone. He’s definitely able to run 40 yards to the right and 40 yards to the left to stop that molten ball or help that corner on the molten ball.
Epps also met with the media and acknowledged that the team’s lack of additions to the position this offseason is a good sign that he will have a bigger role. Coaches have expressed confidence in safety, but Epps knows he still has to prove himself and work hard this offseason – there’s a lot of time between now and Week 1. He feels like he’s established a good base with his performance last season and can build from that.
TJ EDWARDS: “Epps is a guy who – a, great locker room guy. He is always there to joke around. He actually has a really good and really funny personality once you get to know him. But, he’s a guy who’s always been consistent and consistent in what he does. He takes his preparation very seriously. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t act like he’s that guy. Even last year when he was kind of in rotation, kind of not, but you knew if he was going to be the starter he would be ready. So, I’m really excited for him to have this opportunity too.
Despite his enthusiasm for a starting role, Epps said he wasn’t looking to fill anyone’s shoes or be the next Rodney McLeod.
MARCUS EPPS: “Rodney is in his own lane. He was a great player, a great leader, a great teammate for this organization for a while, so I don’t take the approach that I have to fill someone’s shoes or be someone else. , I just try to be myself day in and day out.”
Maddox also talked about James Bradberry joining the Eagles cornerback room and how they’re adding a big player who is smart and knows the game really well.
MADDOX: “Pretty cool. Like I said, high praise for the player and the guy, so I’m delighted to work with him.
Epps was also thrilled to work with Bradberry.
EPPS“Oh, that’s huge. Every time we can add a player like that, it will boost any team. He’s a very good player and he’s proven to be a very good player in this league for a while. So I’m really excited to meet him and I’m really excited to work with him.
Maddox pointed out that the team has a pretty good draft class and signed some talented free agents this offseason, and with the growth he’s seen from some of the young guys already in the CB room, he’s confident going into the secondary. and defense as a whole.
MADDOX: “We are going to be dominant. That’s the goal every year, whatever the season, from my point of view.