Joint practice sessions throughout the preseason make way for some fun one-on-one matchups. Watching the best players on both sides of the ball pair up for a few days of drills and scimmages is the reason why the NFL started the trend in the first place. As the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots face off prior to their preseason opener, the matchup everyone is watching is between wide receiver DeSean Jackson and cornerback Aqib Talib.
The two players have actually been close friends for years after first meeting each other during their college years. Both have remained dominant in their respective positions and look forward to getting some practice time in with one another. Jackson is one of the hardest receivers to cover in the league, while Talib has the physicality to go toe-to-toe with him.
"I'm the type of receiver who goes out there, regardless of who is covering me, try to go out there and beat whoever is in front of me. That's what a great receiver does. The competition was obviously at a high level. He's talking stuff. I'm talking stuff. But it's a good, friendly competition," Jackson said via the Boston Herald.
The wide receiver notes that Talib's size and technique make him one of the best corners in the league and is happy to get some extended practice time going up against a talent like him. The cornerback feels the same way about facing Jackson for the few days. The wide receiver's speed is a whole new level of challenge for Talib.
"It's been good work," Talib said. "He's one of the most dynamic receivers in the league. You've definitely got to be on your toes when you guard him. He'll get out there and run away from you. It's definitely good work."
The mutual respect between the two players is obvious as they spoke to the media. Their coaches feel the same way as well. Both Bill Belichick and Chip Kelly have been long-time admirers of one another throughout their careers. When Kelly was a coach at New Hampshire, he would often go see Belichick to pick his brain about offensive and defensive techniques. When Kelly was up for the Philadelphia job, it was Belichick that gave a shining recommendation of the coach.
""I have so much respect for Chip and what he's done," Belichick said, via CSNPhilly.com. "We've been friends for a while and I know he does a great job with this football team and the program that he's run in Oregon. He's a very innovative, creative guy. He's got a great mind, he's smart, and I think he'll take advantage of whatever resources he can. We'll see what that is. I'm sure he'll give us plenty of trouble."