Danny Watkins Says This Year Has Just Been 'One Thing After Another'
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Like many of his teammates, Danny Watkins has not had a good 2012 season. The former first round pick will be active for Monday night's game against the Panthers, but will not start.
For Watkins, it's just the next setback in what's been a disappointing first two seasons for the offensive lineman.
"Last year there was the lockout and that set me back, and then was able to get things right and finish the season pretty well and then things started a little rocky this year, and then started going pretty well," Watkins told 94WIP's Angelo Cataldi and the Morning Show. "and then you get hurt in the Detroit game and I didn't realize how bad it [his ankle injury] was until you really start to try to practice on it again. It just seems like it's once thing after another almost."
While his play on the field has suffered, Watkins' commitment to football has been brought into question. "I enjoy playing football, that's great. The camaraderie you have at the fire house is the same as football. I enjoy both of them. They're both great jobs," he said.
Offensive line coach Howard Mudd's system has also been criticized this season. "Yea, it's a lot different," Watkins said of Mudd's style of play. "I only ever played on the left side when I was in college, just because I was relatively so new to the sport and it was just kind of ingrained in our head to vertical set. Howard's aggressive style, some people do well with it, and some people struggle, and some people adapt to it right away. He likes the athletic lineman. It's different that's for sure."
The Eagles go into Monday night's game against the Panthers losers of six straight games, and have a record of 3-7. Where did it all go wrong?
"That's a good question. I don't think we even know to tell you the truth. You look at what we do in practice, we'll have great practices, great film studies, and we're not sure," Watkins said.
Watkins called to promote Bowl With The Birds XII. Bowl with the Birds has raised money for many local charities including The Jeremiah Trotter Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, and Young Variety. Attendees will be able to meet and greet Watkins and other members of the Eagles. The event is December 7th, and will be held at Playdrome on North Kings Highway in Cherry Hill, NJ on Friday, December 7, 2012 from 6:30pm until 9:00pm (PURCHASE TICKETS HERE).
