Maclin: ‘I Like My Chances Against Anybody’


Photo by: Jeff Fusco.

Photo by: Jeff Fusco.

Richard Sherman will follow a receiver around the field from time to time depending on the type of defense the Seahawks are in and the receiver in question. Jeremy Maclin noted that when he was watching Seattle-Dallas tape, he noticed Sherman shadowing Dez Bryant some.

Whether he’ll be free to roam this week against the Eagles might be largely irrelevant: Maclin typically lines up on the right side of the formation, and it doesn’t sound like the Eagles will go away from that despite the presence of No. 25.

“For the most part we kind of stay on one side as receivers,” said Maclin, “and he’s on my side, so.”

So they’ll be going head-to-head.

Quarterbacks haven’t had a ton of success throwing in Sherman’s direction. Just 45 percent of the passes thrown his way have been completed and quarterbacks have a rating of 48.6 when challenging him this season, per Pro Football Focus. Some of his best play has come of late. He was targeted a combined six times against the Cardinals and Niners the past two weeks and did not yield a single reception, and came up with two interceptions against San Francisco. Much of the talk this week has been about whether the Eagles will go at Sherman or stay away from him.

“Well, we’re going to run our offense,” said Pat Shurmur. “We have a healthy respect for who he is as a player. That secondary, that whole secondary, is outstanding. So if you think of it that way, then we’re not going to throw the ball anywhere. You know, I think that’s the way you have to approach it from our standpoint.”

Maclin is the eighth-leading receiver in the NFL (1,088 yards on 71 catches) and is tied for seventh in touchdowns (9). Like Shurmur, he showed respect for Sherman and the Seattle defense, but made it clear that he felt up for the challenge.

“One thing about this football league is everybody is here for a reason,” he said. “I like my chances against anybody.”

On a different note, Maclin was asked about his decision to change agents. He went from Ben Dogra to Tom Condon this week.

“That’s kind of a personal question, isn’t it? It just felt like I needed to do what I needed to do,” he said.

LeSean McCoy, who was taking in Maclin’s press conference from the back of the room, chimed in.

“Why not [Drew] Rosenhaus?” he asked.

Maclin just smiled. A reporter urged him to respond, “Next question” but Maclin didn’t want to offer up the sound bite.

INJURIES

Cody Parkey (groin) and Chris Polk (ankle) were listed as limited participants Wednesday. Chip Kelly was asked if Parkey’s injury is affecting him on kickoffs.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think he should be good this week.  It may have affected him a little bit last week, but I think he should be fine this week.”

Nick Foles (collarbone) is the only player listed as out. Emmanuel Acho (groin), Brandon Bair (elbow) and Trey Burton (hamstring) were full participants according to the injury report.