Every five years or so, Eagles center Jason Kelce befriends a big old longshot fighting to prove he belongs in the NFL.
Most recently it was Jordan Mailata, the 6-foot-9, 360-pound import from Australia who starred at rugby.
In 2014, it was Alejandro Villanueva, who after three tours as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, failed to make the Eagles, coached then by Chip Kelly.
Mailata, a seventh-round pick in 2018, filled in last Sunday for the injured Jason Peters in the Birds’ 25-20 win over the 49ers.
“I’m really happy for him to go out there in his first start and play the way he did,” Kelce said. “Really did a great job. It was fun to watch a guy who has really been working for the last two years to come on here playing a brand new sport that he never played before, and finally get the opportunity to go out there and play in a meaningful game and play the whole game and show the culmination of that learning process.”
Seven years ago, Kelce spent a training camp with Villanueva, who Kelly’s sidekick, then defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro, pegged for a defensive end. That experiment didn’t make it to the final cut. But Villanueva was fortunate because he played a preseason game against the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin, who knows talent.
Villanueva (6-9, 340) was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad to learn the offensive tackle position. He was a starter by the end of the 2015 season and is now a two-time Pro Bowler. He puts hand over heart for the national anthem. He taped the name of African-American Army Ranger Alwyn Cashe, who was killed in action, on the back of his helmet to honor him during this unusual season.
Kelce doesn’t go fly fishing with everyone. He did two years ago with Villanueva. Not long after Kelce described his bud as “a guy that I still keep in touch with greatly,” and “there’s something about the guy that sticks with you,” his voice strained.
“The Alejandro Villanueva story is incredible,” Kelce said. “Not only going into the Army and serving overseas and coming back and playing a completely different position. Am I surprised he ended up making it? Not at all. His work ethic was unbelievable. He was incredibly smart. He had all the tools. Everybody could see that. He’s a tremendous human being. He’s a guy that you can sit down with and talk ball for two hours or talk about life for two hours. He’s going to keep you thinking and talking and expanding your mind every second of it.
“He’s the kind of guy I’ll have a beer with any day of the week and it will probably be the best one I’ve had in a while. I’m looking forward to seeing the big guy. He’s such a good person. And on top of that he’s a great player.”
Mailata faces the ultimate test this weekend when the Eagles oppose the Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers average a league-leading five sacks per game with coordinator Keith Butler, who loves to blitz.
“It’s definitely a good challenge,” Kelce said. “And this will be a good one to go through as a young group, a bunch of guys itching to prove themselves on this level.”
Kelce will start his 94th straight game this weekend, the longest active streak among centers. Mailata, left guard Nate Herbig and right guard Matt Pryor have a combined eight starts.
• • •
Wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside (calf) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, per the Eagles.
Receivers DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (foot) were limited, as were Herbig (groin), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (rest) and safety Marcus Epps (rib).
Held out of practice were linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring), safety Rudy Ford (ham), offensive tackle Lane Johnson (ankle), cornerback Avonte Maddox (ankle) and safety Rodney McLeod (ham).
• • •
NOTES >> The Eagles claimed offensive lineman Brett Toth (6-6, 291) off waivers from the Cardinals. Toth was with Eagles in their 2019 training camp before joining the Cardinals … Running back Adrian Killins cleared waivers and was signed to the practice squad … Defensive lineman Vinny Curry (hamstring) and cornerback Craig James (ham) have been cleared to practice. The Eagles have three weeks to add them to the active roster or put them on injured reserve for the season.
Credit: Source link
