PHILADELPHIA — With veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson ruled out last Sunday in Tampa and Kelee Ringo pressed into service on defense, Mac McWilliams undertook an expanded role on special teams. The rookie cornerback, prominently serving as the other gunner on punt coverage opposite safety Sydney Brown, logged a career-high 11 snaps. He also logged his first NFL tackle in the Eagles’ 31-25 win, improving their record to 4-0.
As part of a season-long Inside The Birds “Rookie Diary” series, I’ll be checking in with Mac McWilliams every week, learning more about the first-year cornerback and chronicling his rookie campaign.
On Thursday, we chatted for our fifth installment.
Andrew: We’re in October now and I know you’re a big horror movie guy. What are your top-five horror movies? 
Mac: I’d go Scream, Halloween, Friday The 13th, Freddy vs. Jason … I wouldn’t say this is a scary movie, but it’s kind of a scary and funny movie … Scary Movie 2.
Andrew: You played 11 (special teams) snaps, career high. What was your takeaway on your performance?
Mac: I felt like I did what we needed for the team. They needed a guy that could step up in the gunner position and play on punt return. I was available at the time, so I just stepped in and did my role.
Andrew: Have you ever played gunner before?
Mac: No, I haven’t. That was my first time. Little tweaks here and there, I definitely felt like on some of the reps, I could’ve done better. Used my hands a little bit more. But it’s all a work in progress.
Andrew: That seems like a challenging position to play, especially if you haven’t play it before. What’s the key to being an effective one? You get to watch Kelee every week…
Mac: Kelee, he’s good at using his hands and he’s quick. And he’s real fast. That’s all it’s about, winning with speed and using your hands. Get defenders out the way or create separation from the defender.
Andrew: Speaking of Kelee, you’re in the room and see him every day. What’s something he brings to the table that most on the outside probably wouldn’t know?
Mac: Kelee’s a real physical guy. Probably y’all don’t see it from him, ‘cause y’all looking in from the outside, but if you actually pay attention to him, he’s a real physical guy. He likes to get his hands on people early in the routes. I love everything about him. Everybody knows he’s fast, so I’d definitely say the physical part.
Andrew: What measures did you guys take against that heat in Tampa?
Mac: We was well prepared for it, I think. And it started on the Monday practice we had. When we came in on Monday, coach talked to us about how the heat was gonna be, and we just made sure we came in and did what was right. Even if that was getting in the sauna, staying after, making sure we’re drinking our water. Keeping water near us. We was well prepared for the game.
Andrew: Is that the first time Fish got to see you play a pro game?
Mac: Yes, it was.
Andrew: What were his thoughts?
Mac: He loved everything about it. He was so happy for me. After the game, he called me and told me how proud he was. We snapped a couple photos after the game. It was a brotherly love thing.
Andrew: The special teams unit, that you’re a part of, has two touchdowns through four game. Being around him, what makes Michael Clay such an effective coach?
Mac: He’s very unique at the details. Teams, well, I couldn’t say teams, because I haven’t played every team, but just from college, I feel like they didn’t lock in on the little details. When I got up here, that’s the main thing it was about … the little details. That separated us. So, making sure we got the little details. It started from practice, the whole week. We got our details, made sure we was in the right spot at the right time and we executed.
Andrew: Obviously, you’re a rookie, so this is what you know, but how surprising is it to see starters playing on teams?
Mac: It’s not surprising, ‘cause it was the same way in college. So, I really wasn’t surprised by it. I’m just here to do what’s best for the team.
Andrew: This week, you’ll get to see your former UCF teammate, running back R.J. Harvey. What stands out about his game?
Mac: He’s a great back. I’d say it’s his speed, he ran a 4.4 at the (NFL) Combine. So, guys coming in thought he was slower than what they expected, so he ran a good time. And me just watching him from previous years of playing with him at UCF, he’s elusive. He sees the holes very well. He reads his blocks and things like that. He’s gonna be a big key.
Andrew: What stands out to you about what the Denver Broncos present on offense?
Mac: Really, they keep everything the same. Even if they get in zebra or lion and things like that, they make sure all their formations look the same. They got a play and every other play, you know that whatever formation they in, they got three, four plays for it. So, you’ll probably get this play next time, and then three, four plays later, you’ll get the same formation, but a different play the next time. Just a unique style of play.
Andrew: I understand you enjoy hiking and hunting. Any crazy places you’ve hiked?
Mac: Nah, not down here. But my granddad used to take me hunting when we was down in Florida. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been hunting. I’m definitely gonna go out there very soon.
Andrew: Do you go into it with goals?
Mac: No, I don’t actually have goals. I’m just out there for a good time. And if I see something that I like, I’m gonna go after it.
Andrew: Do you find that to be, in a way, relaxing?
Mac: Yes. That, and I go jet skiiing a lot, too, when I was in Florida. So, just getting out there in the water on the jet ski, relaxing my mind, seeing the water and just clearing my head.
Andrew: What’s one thing you’re working on this week?
Mac: I’d definitely say just more special teams. Making sure (I focus on) the little details and making sure I get my hands in the right place at the right time.
Andrew: I don’t know if you guys still do this, but I remember last year, each rookie would get to pick which meal they wanted. Have you gotten your chance?
Mac: Nah, I haven’t. But (Thursday) they came up to me and told me I got the music for the team meeting tomorrow, though.
Andrew: What do you got?
Mac: It’s called (by) Future: “Fly Shit Only.”
Andrew: Just one song, or do you pick the playlist?
Mac: Nah, it’s just one song. Just for the team meeting.
Andrew: So, for the team meal, when it is your turn, what’s your meal of choice?
Mac: I’m going wings. Wings and fries.
Andrew: Bleu cheese or ranch?
Mac: Ranch. I have bleu cheese.
Andrew: Ah, see that’s where we differ! I love bleu cheese.
Mac: I ain’t gonna lie, down here, everybody down here I talked to, they said they like bleu cheese.
Andrew: I thought I was the odd one.
Mac: Naw, see, that’s how I felt. I’m like, ‘Bro, bleu cheese?!’ No way I can eat no bleu cheese.
Andrew: Hot wings, breaded wings…
Mac: I’m regular wings, breaded wings. I’m not too big of a hot sauce guy. I don’t like hot sauce. I really don’t like hot sauce, unless it’s like hot fries or something like that.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com
