This Corner’s Back

PHILADELPHIA – Learning to adapt to new surroundings and opportunities has become old hat for Adoree’ Jackson.

When he was 15 years old, Jackson, investing in his future, uprooted from Belleville, Ill. to sunny Southern California in pursuit of his dream.

Making good on his leap of faith, Jackson molded himself into a five-star recruit, sought after by a sea of the most prestigious programs in college football.

A first-round pick in 2017, his pro career began in Tennessee but has since included stops in New York, and most recently, Philadelphia. Adaptability, in a sense, is ingrained in Jackson’s DNA.

Still, “being able to adapt” was the first of two items mentioned by the Eagles cornerback when asked what he’s learned about himself in the midst of his latest venture.

The specifics of the adjustment process included absorbing everything from the organizational culture and philosophy to the style of the defense and what those objectives entail.

The second item was rooted in Jackson’s authenticity and unrelenting thirst for knowledge, veteran status notwithstanding.

“Sometimes, people try to adapt and change,” he explained. “But you can adapt and evolve but still be yourself. Just be another form. And I think that’s what I’ve been doing mentally and physically. Being able to come in and see what they do well, what they like to do in the weight room or the practice field, running different drills – getting different coaches, different teaching – then not being like, ‘I’m nine years in. I know this shit already.’ But, like, ‘OK, teach me.’

“And I’m still asking questions, I’m still trying to figure things out, no matter what’s going on. So, I think that’s the biggest thing for me, is still being myself. Staying humble and not being a, ‘I’ve been here, so I know it [guy].’ It’s more of a ‘I haven’t been in here, so I don’t know. But can you help me?’ And not being afraid to ask questions.”

Eagles CB Adoree’ Jackson is expected to start over Kelee Ringo after Ringo didn’t perform in his starting stint.

In his short time in Philadelphia, Jackson has gone from Week 1 starter to reserve after three games, ultimately giving way to third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo, who was afforded the opportunity over the next three games to establish staying power in the starting lineup.

But a two-game skid, coupled with the challenges posed by the upcoming passing attack the Eagles will see Sunday in Minnesota, has compelled defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to say Tuesday that it would “probably be” Jackson undertaking the heavily scrutinized No. 2 cornerback spot, to return to the well.

For Jackson, who typically takes everything in stride, the vote of confidence wasn’t lost on him.

“It’s always good to have support of the coaches,” Jackson said. “And other than that, your peers. Regardless of what’s going on, you still go out there and battle, you still go out there and work, you encourage one another.

“But to have the support of the ones that basically are the shot callers, it’s always huge, regardless of what it is or what it ain’t. It’s always good to have support, no matter where it’s from, the people to believe in you and want you to succeed.”

What felt like consensus skepticism from the outside surrounding the cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell, particularly in the wake of free-agent departures Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers, predated the regular season, the concern derived from the reality of whoever aligned on the other side of Mitchell being heavily targeted.

For the Eagles, it’s been a position in flux, prominently contributing to the recent defensive pitfalls.

The upcoming matchup against a deep, talented Vikings receiving corps headlined by the tandem of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison isn’t exactly timely, but the logic here is that the reinsertion of Jackson completes a secondary that gives the Eagles the best chance in limiting production.

A veteran on nine NFL seasons, there isn’t much, if anything, that teams can throw at Jackson that he hasn’t before seen. Experience aside, Jackson has appeared in 102 games in his career, the competitive desire rooted within never ceases.

“You look forward to matchups, especially when you’re a corner, when you know there are elite receiver play that you have over there,” he said. “You mentioned two of them, then you have [Jalen] Nailor and [Adam] Thielen, I think that are also two great receivers. Obviously, the duo goes to Jettas [Jefferson] and Addison, but when you think of all four of them, I think they do a lot of great things well.

“They complement each other. You don’t know who is gonna be who in the sense of, what they’re trying to do and what they’re trying to exploit. So, it just makes you be on your Ps and Qs, reading your keys and doing what you’re supposed to be doing. It’s always fun when you go against a talented group of receivers.”

For someone of Jackson’s resume and background, no circumstance becomes overly daunting, or is any moment overwhelming. Life and career experiences have armed the 30-year-old with perspective and an ability to answer the bell whenever his number is called.

On Sunday, Jackson will be unable to evade the spotlight. He’ll be out on an island, tasked with the responsibility of slowing one of the more dynamic receiving corps in football. Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, when putting together the weekly game plan, has likely schemed up advantageous matchups in a ploy to exploit Jackson’s side of the field, and quarterback Carson Wentz will most certainly size up Jackson in the passing game.

There’s also the expectation of eye candy and manipulation, giving Jackson his own point of emphasis this week as he aims to capably execute his role.

“I think the biggest thing for me is just eyes,” he said. “They do a lot of motioning, but at the same time, just honing in on what may happen. Just thinking a little bit before. I think that’s the biggest thing, because they do a lot of different things … they put guys in a lot of different places.

“So, it’s more about seeing the final picture, in a sense, and just being able to execute that. And having the conversation in your head with yourself before the snap, and then when everything gets going, you already talked yourself through it, so you can go out there and execute.”

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