Over the past two seasons, DeSean Jackson has been getting all the publicity when it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver corps. Breaking onto the scene immediately, teammate Jeremy Maclin has taken the backseat having yet to have that breakout year. However, now in the final year of his contract, Maclin is looking for the spotlight to so he can up his asking price.
Maclin was supposed to already be a top star in the NFL. However, he has yet to have that 1,200 yard receiving season that most predicted would happen with the Eagles drafted the receiver 19th overall back in 2009. Maclin has not been to a Pro Bowl yet. He has not gone over 1,000 yards. Compared to receivers like Hakeem Nicks who was also drafted in 2009, Maclin does not compare.
One thing Maclin has been for the Eagles is consistent in production and durability. The past two seasons, Maclin has averaged over 800 yards receiving and five and seven touchdowns respectively. He is hoping for that breakout season now that Chip Kelly is running the offense.
"I'm going to be honest, the last offense was geared to the position that D-Jack played," Maclin told CSNPhilly.com. "That's just what it was. So the fact that I was able to personally accomplish what I accomplished, I think as far as the position I was playing, I think that's above what that guy normally does."
Maclin notes that he and Jackson complimented each other well, but the offense was tailored more to focus on Jackson who normally plays the flanker position and occasionally the slot. Between 2008 and 2011, Jackson has average over 1,000 yards.
"Everybody uses that 1,000-yard benchmark, but at the same time, if you have a guy who has 850-plus yards and eight touchdowns or a guy who has 1,000 yards but two touchdowns, which guy do you really want?" Maclin said.
No other receiver in the NFL has as many yards as Maclin since 2009 without producing a 1,000-yard season. The wide receiver is not looking to get wrapped up in the numbers on the field; he understands that he is role player set to help the team win. With Kelly now running things, Maclin is hoping that every player buys into the new system as change can be good for the team.
"I'm excited, and if we get 100 percent buy-in-which I think we have so far-and guys put everything they have into this, we'll get back to where we need to be, and that's in the playoffs."
