Eagles WRs A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith Shut Down Jealously Talk: ‘Appreciate Us!’
PHILADELPHIA – Two of the Philadelphia Eagles Batmen put on quite a show last year, a get-your-popcorn showstopper, you might say.
The Swole Batman, A.J. Brown, set a franchise record for most yards in a season with 1,496 while the Skinny Batman, DeVonta Smith, set a franchise record for most receptions in a season with 95.
It seems lan agenda, perhaps media-driven, is emerging from the success of the two receivers, with questions about which one is . They are in each others’ respective corners.
“I wouldn’t say we are competitive,” Smith said. “I would say we are stacking up against each other. We both go out there excited for one another. If one makes a play the other is like I gotta be right there with ya. I can’t have you out here, playing by yourself and doing it all. I need to get in on the action.”
Brown seemed to bristle at a question as to whether he believes fans are taking sides between the two receivers.
“Sometimes you see it,” Brown said, “and I have seen reporters asking each of us questions. I don’t think you should do that. I think you should just enjoy both of us. It’s not about me and DeVonta.
“We’re great together. We complement each other really well. Like I said, that’s another wide receiver (number) 1 on this side of me. So I think everybody, the city of Philly, or whoever, I think you should just appreciate the both of us while you have us.”
Perhaps the issue began to percolate when Darius Slay said in mid-August that Smith’s elite running is elite and he will someday be considered one of the best receivers in the NFL.
“I told him, ‘Ain’t gonna be too much longer before we’re saying Smitty is the best receiver in the league for sure,’” Slay said. “It ain’t gonna be too much longer. He’s got that type of ability to be that guy. If he can continue to keep doing what he’s doing and growing as a player, which I know he will, it ain’t gonna be too much longer before we say that.”
Slay made sure to include Brown in the same interview.
“We’re gonna have the two best (receivers) for sure,” said the cornerback. “… And with AJ pushing him, he learns so much from AJ doing this, doing that. It’s destined for him to be like who he needs to be. AJ is doing a great job leading him because AJ is by far elite as hell.”
Brown said that Slay was simply showing support for a teammate.
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“Everybody knows DeVonta is a really good player,” he said. “I think he’s giving DeVonta his flowers. I think also, that’s his opinion. I’m excited for this season, for both of us. It’s not no competition for any of us. Honestly, I wish the fans would stop trying to choose, and just enjoy both of us while they have both of us.”
The two receivers seem to feed off each other, and root for one another to succeed.
“We’re always trying to pour light into each other, and speak about routes and stuff,” Brown said. “I’d definitely say the routes he runs and how cleanly he runs them. I’m definitely always trying to learn something. I’ll learn from anybody. I’m a student of the game. It doesn’t matter who runs the route. But everybody knows that DeVonta is slippery. He runs really clean routes.”
When asked what he takes from Brown’s game, Smith said: “I would say playing with the hands and things like that. Using your hands at the line of scrimmage, using late hands, catching passes over the shoulder. Things like that.”
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