Don’t tell “Double J” this is a meaningless game with the Redskins on Sunday…
Rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett, the Eagles’ second-round draft pick out of Temple University, will start in Kurt Coleman’s spot at strong safety alongside free safety Nate Allen. (Coleman is on IR with a biceps injury…)
Jarrett will be making his second start. He also replaced an injured Allen against Arizona. He made seven tackles, but also was beaten on several plays (see photo above) during a 21-17 loss to the Cardinals.
“He’s had a couple of opportunities in there when other guys were banged up and he did a nice job,” Reid said. “I would just expect him to continue to build on that. This will be a great experience for him, so I think it’s a positive.”
Jaiquawn Jarrett’s first and only NFL start ended with the rookie safety unsuccessfully chasing perhaps the best wide receiver in the NFL as the Eagles dropped a 21-17 decision to the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 13.
Though it certainly wasn’t all Jarrett’s fault that Larry Fitzgerald broke behind him to catch a 37-yard bomb and set up the game-winning touchdown, the play symbolized all that was wrong with the Eagles’ defense for most of this season, with their young as well as their new players often confused to the point of easy exploitation.
“He’s had a couple of opportunities in there when other guys were banged up and he did a nice job,” coach Andy Reid said, “so I would just expect him to continue to build on it. Great experience for him, so I think it’s a positive.”
According to Reid, the main reason Jarrett hasn’t been able to get on the field with the defense more is simply because of the more advanced developmental stages of second-year players Coleman and Nate Allen.
“It’s really only due to that,” Reid said. “It’s not by effort or knowledge or anything from Jaiquawn’s spot. It’s just the other guys have continued to improve and really, the last month-and-a half or so, have done a real nice job.”
Now it’s Jarrett’s turn to join the party and possibly get a head start on winning a starting spot next season. “I think any opportunity on the field is a great opportunity to show what you can do,” Jarrett said. “There’s always pressure. You have high expectations on yourself. So when I get out there I’m going to make sure I’m executing to the best of my ability.”
Jarrett was taken with the 54th overall pick this year out of Temple. He’s mostly played special teams this season.
In his start against the Cardinals, he was credited with seven tackles and a hurry.
I know I’ll be focusing on Jarrett in his start against the Redskins. It’s just one reason why I don’t believe this game is meaningless. I have high hopes for this guy. He’s got the pedigree, the physique, the speed, the technique and the swagger. All Jarrett needs is the game experience and the confidence. The game at this level still appears very fast to Jarrett, and it’s a challenge just to know exactly where to line up. That’s the way it is for a rookie. This Sunday’s game experience will go a long way to getting Jarrett to that next level where the game “slows down” just enough to where he can anticipate and relocate in response to an offensive play formation or an audible play change at the line of scrimmage.
This game is a big deal for Jarrett. And it’s a big deal for the Eagles who picked Jarrett in the 2nd round last year. You want and expect your 2nd-rounder to pay off sooner than later. And on Sunday against the Redskins it is “go” time for Jarrett at strong safety.
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