“Definitely Worth It”: Q&A With Quintin Mikell, Jason Avant

The world is waiting for Steven Nelson to sign with another team.

OK, maybe that’s a tad hyperbolic.

But many Eagles fans are hoping that the free-agent cornerback decides soon and picks Philadelphia.

In the latest “Q&A” on Inside The Birds, former Eagles Pro Bowl safety Quintin Mikell and former Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant sized up Nelson and discussed his potential impact on the Eagles’ defensive backfield.

Avant and Nelson were teammates on the 2015 Chiefs – Avant’s last year in the league and Nelson’s rookie season. Avant recalled the passion and intensity that drove Nelson.

“He would wanna go with me every single 1-on-1 and I would be like, ‘Dude I’m tired of beating your head off,'” Avant said. “He would get pissed off. He would get so mad. I can tell then that he had the fire to want to perfect his craft, because a guy like him that’s undersized, not the fastest guy, not the most talent – it’s sheer willpower and competitiveness that’s keeping him in the league and usually players like that do well in Philadelphia.”

Experience alone makes free-agent cornerback Steven Nelson an ideal fit for the Eagles.

Noting the Eagles’ inexperience at outside corner, Mikell said Nelson’s six years of experience would be the biggest asset to the team.

“He can definitely help. We’re talking about a guy, he’s not a ballhawk by any means, his entire career I think he’s has seven interceptions,” Mikell added. “He’s definitely savvy. He can cover if we can get him at the right price. I think he’s definitely worth it and he will definitely shore up our secondary.”

Avant noted that the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Nelson would struggle against bigger receivers, but he noted that Nelson played well two years ago against Seattle’s then-upstart rookie D.K. Metcalf.

“He’s gonna get bodied on some of the down-the-field balls but he’s a great studier,” Avant said. “If he can study you up and stay on top he’s gonna be better. if there are tendencies, this a guy you can depend on.”

Also discussed on “Q&A:” The Birds’ secondary and defense, life after NFL football, traits of a complete wide receiver group, and the dreaded “Joe Webb game” in 2010.

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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