Forget Him Not

PHILADELPHIA – Last offseason, Eli Ricks ventured to Hawaii for business.

Ricks, at the time approaching his second season, was there for a football camp presided over by Derek Stingley Sr. There, he teamed up with longtime friend and former college teammate, Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., for their annual training collaboration.

Keeping with tradition, the camp most recently brought Ricks to Puerto Rico, where he trained alongside Stingley Jr., whom he’s known since he was 16 years old.

His stay was brief, but the obligation to enhancing his craft reflects Ricks’ tangible growth entering his third season. The mileage logged at every turn has armed the 23-year-old cornerback with boundless knowledge and perspective.

Appearing in 16 regular season games and registering a tick over 300 defensive snaps as a rookie, Ricks became somewhat of an afterthought in his second season, accounting for only 14 snaps over seven games. His status on the active roster, however, never wavered.

This summer, Ricks has performed like someone intent on validating the Eagles’ investment.

“I definitely would say I’ve grown much every year, even though I didn’t play as much last year as my rookie year,” he said. “I definitely feel like I’ve grown every year, mentally. I’m much more confident. This is only my second year in the same defense.

“My first year, I had a new defensive coordinator. The second year, I had a new one. So, I feel much more comfortable, this being my second year in the defense. So, I feel like I’m only growing and getting better.”

GETTY IMAGES: Comfort in the defense is helping third-year CB Eli Ricks push to make the 53.

Not many defenders have the distinction of picking off Jalen Hurts in practice, but Ricks – who sniped a Hurts throw last summer on the final day camp – can claim he’s twice accomplished that feat.

Most recently, during a red zone period, Hurts lofted a pass in the direction of running back Saquon Barkley, running a Texas route. The pass sailed, and Ricks was there to pull in a gift, much to the delight of his defensive mates.

Perhaps more notable than the play itself was that Ricks was deployed with the first-team defense.

“Basically, I’m always gonna be ready, whenever I get an opportunity,” he said. “I caught a lucky break [Thursday]. It was an overthrow by Jalen, and I was just in the perfect spot to make the play. Any time I get an opportunity with the first team – really, any time I get a chance to go – I’m always gonna give my best.”

The comfort within the defense, to which Ricks alluded, has been evident with the way he carries himself. No longer tasked with navigating new terrain, Ricks is playing noticeably faster and with increased confidence. He’s used his lengthy frame to his advantage and the refined technique appears largely dialed in. Most notably, though, has been the elevated physicality and bravado exhibited by Ricks. The game appears to have slowed down.

While Ricks in his first season moonlighted at nickelback out of necessity, he’s an outside corner by trade. And this summer, after predominantly aligning on the left in college, Ricks has bounced between both sides, furnishing the room with optionality in anticipation of a season in which Quinyon Mitchell is expected to travel, depending on the matchup.

Overseeing his progress for another season is fast-rising defensive backs coach Christian Parker, an outstanding communicator with an eye for detail. Parker, perpetually teaching and consistently engaged, boasts an extensive track record of player development, perhaps none more prominent than Mitchell and fellow second-year defensive back Cooper DeJean. Ricks is another example.

“He pays very close attention,” he said. “He knows what’s different for everybody. He knows what everybody needs to work on individually. Very conscientious guy, I would say. He’s in every minute of the meeting, if not more. After practice, he’s always working with us. We’re never having a day where we felt we didn’t do enough with him.”

Resources also present themselves in various forms, including Ricks’ own room, where he reunites with a familiar face in cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. He’s known Jackson, who joined the Eagles this offseason via free agency, since he was 11 years old, as his youth football coach served as Jackson’s high school head coach.

He’s even assisted Jackson, who’s in contention for a starting job opposite Mitchell, in mastering the finer intricacies of the defense, with Jackson paying it forward by imparting the wisdom and savviness gained over a nine-year career.

In more ways than one, things have come full circle for Ricks, as Jackson was someone he strived to emulate growing up. Now, in Philadelphia, their worlds collide.

“Back in California, he was that guy when I was growing up,” he said. “And I wanted to be like him when I got to high school – and then I got to do the same thing.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.