Jeremy Maclin: 'I'm Back'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After recording more than 55 catches and 750 yards in each of his first four seasons with the Eagles, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin missed the entire 2013 season with after tearing his ACL during training camp last July. Maclin signed a one-year deal in February to stay with the Eagles in 2014.
"As far as speed and everything, I'm back," Maclin said about his health on the WIP Afternoon Show on Wednesday. "Now everything is just getting all your strength back, which I'm pretty close to as far as doing as much weight that I could before the injury on my legs and everything. Like I said, I've been cleared to do everything. I'm just happy who I am right now and I'm just going to continue to get myself better."
Despite the release of DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have added Darren Sproles and rookies Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff to an offense that ranked 2nd in the NFL in total yards per game (417.2) last year. In 2014, Maclin said he expects to be on the outside, opposite Riley Cooper, in his first year in Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense.
"I'll be out there. I'll be on the opposite side of Coop and I'm just going to go out there and play football," Maclin said. "As far as roles, I think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things. I'm just excited to be able to play football again."
The Eagles head into the season with a definite number one quarterback in Nick Foles, something that Maclin says will allow him to relax.
"It's a confidence thing," Maclin said of Foles. "Obviously he played tremendous last year, but just knowing that the organization is going with you and there's no question about it. It makes you feel good about yourself, so I think from that standpoint, from a personal thing on Nick's behalf I'm pretty sure it's a confidence thing."
Foles, who threw for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 13 games last season, led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and a NFC East division title. Maclin explained Foles' 2013 numbers might be impossible to duplicate, but the 25-year old quarterback shouldn't be scrutinized over his stats.
"I think he'll put up great numbers as well," Maclin said. "And I think what people can't get caught up in is number of touchdowns and number of interceptions. I think Nick has already gotten better as a quarterback. Throwing two interceptions [last year], that's unheard of."