Don’t Rush To Judgment
DiCecco: Take It From Saquon, A.J. Brown Only A Problem For Eagles Opponents
PHILADELPHIA – Saquon Barkley made his rounds up and down the visiting sideline at SoFi Stadium.
This was a few weeks ago. The Eagles running back had just eclipsed the team’s single-game rushing record previously held by LeSean McCoy set back in 2013 during the now-famous “Snow Game.”
McCoy was also special that Sunday afternoon, rolling up 217 yards while eluding Lions defenders and gliding through a snow-coated Lincoln Financial Field.
Barkley, however, was otherworldly on Nov. 24, compiling 255 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns and adding another 47 as a receiver.
The offensive linemen, after paving holes the size of the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, earned congratulatory handshakes from Barkley, who eventually made his way to where they were stationed.
Barkley, who leads the NFL in rushing with 1,623 yards, had authored several memorable moments to that point, yet his teammates remained in awe.
Said one teammate: “You already the best running back in the world. I think you’re the best player in the world.”
Those were the words uttered by Eagles All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown, who had also torched the Rams to the tune of 109 yards and a touchdown on six catches.
But the uniqueness of Brown’s comment stems from the common thread shared among the team’s two offensive superstars. Both are known not only for their talent but also their humility, leadership, work ethic and selflessness.
For two seasons before Barkley’s arrival, the Eagles’ offense largely ran through Brown, who accumulated 2,952 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns and 194 catches over that span.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles WR A.J. Brown (11) and newcomer RB Saquon Barkley are an explosive WR-RB tandem.
But this season, the ultra talented Eagles offense has undertaken a new-look approach that accentuates the imposing nature of its star-studded offensive line and herculean efforts from a generational running back.
While quarterback Jalen Hurts, offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata and Barkley are often the first players who spring to mind whenever the topic of leadership becomes relevant, what isn’t discussed nearly enough is the stewardship of Brown, who often happens to be Barkley’s loudest supporter.
“As expected,” Barkley said. “We’re teammates. We wanna see everybody succeed. At the same time, we all know the type of caliber player he is and the things he’s able to accomplish. He wants to do well for the team, of course.
“But I don’t think it’s coming from a selfish way at all, from being able to sit down and have those conversations with him and get to know him personally. I know it’s not at all. Obviously, I know wide receivers have a preconceived notion how people view them, but I think our relationship, and the way he comes in here, you can’t hear no one in the locker room say anything negative about that man.”
Brown, on a Hall of Fame trajectory, is passionate and emotional. Those traits typically embody a winning mentality.
He’s willing to do the gritty, dirty work as a run blocker when called upon and serves as a pristine example of professionalism and class off the field.
It’s easy to spot how his detailed preparation and how he conducts himself impacts younger players and closely aligns with the mindset of his fellow team captains.
Brown has been tested off the field in each of the past two seasons and has responded the way every leader should, facing issues head-on, having productive conversations and working towards a solution.
“I think he’s a great leader,” Barkley said. “That’s something that you don’t know walking into the door, obviously being new guy here, but from the second I was able to meet him in conversations with him, the way that he carried himself, the way that he works. It’s rare to see a guy that talented, and a guy who’s accomplished the things he’s accomplished, still come with the same mindset and the work ethic that he has.
“I’m a big fan of A.J. Happy to have him as a teammate.”
Willing to win and to tap into another level by any means, Brown is unapologetically himself. As he should be.
The compactly built wideout is unmatched in contested-catch opportunities, wins on all three levels. and can separate downfield with the best of them.
When he has to, he can play the role of the bully, bowling over defenders like a set of pins.
When it comes to the NFL receiver hierarchy, few are above him.
Sure, the passing game is taking a backseat to the run offense for the moment.
But if anyone needs a refresher, A.J. Brown is definitively the most talented player on a roster loaded with blue-chippers.
Just ask Barkley, who when asked by Brandon Graham’s daughter who the best player on the team was, provided an answer that’s likely a sentiment shared by many of his teammates.
He nominated Brown.
“He’s a freak of nature,” Barkley gushed. “He’s weighs the same as me, he’s bigger than me, and he can move like me; I just can’t run routes like him. The most impressive thing about A.J. to me is that every time the ball … you got guys that catch the ball, he catches the ball, the ball doesn’t move in his hand.
“He has the most impressive hands. I kind of knew that even in New York and just watching film and seeing him, seeing how he operates. Me and Daniel [Jones] used to talk about that a lot, actually. But he’s a heck of a player. Hall of Fame-caliber player and excited having him on my team.”
– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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