Darius Slay compares Jalen Hurts to young Russell Wilson: ‘Both are the same type of player’

Even Philadelphia Eagles is in a playoff race even though the 2021 dub franchise is a transition year, the question remains as to whether Jalen Hurts could be the franchise’s quarterback this season. Through 16 starting games, the verdict is not for Hurts – who will play one of the worst games of his career in last Sunday’s loss. Giants in New York.

The eagle is back Darius Slay sees huge potential in Hurts and doesn’t seem to want the franchise to give up the second quarter of its second year so easily. Slay was a guest on CBS Sports’ “All Things Covered” podcast with Bryant McFadden and Patrick Peterson This week, compares Hurts to a superstar defender with whom the Eagles have been linked at various points this season.

“He can be very nice. I don’t like comparing people too much, but he can be like Russell Wilson“, Slay said. Both are baseball players and Russ has a stronger arm for sure – but (he) is young and behind a great defense and does all the right readings and all the checks. correct. In the second year when they won Super Bowl, you watched how he played. They serve to Marshawn 120, 130 (yards).

“You look at how we play now. We’ve averaged 200 yards per game the last five games. I feel like we’re both the same type of player and Russell has developed as a passer. – and that’s what (Seattle) had to rely on because Marshawn was gone.

“The Eagles still have a young core, so Hurts can keep learning on the go. And the Eagles can keep running, just like Russell did (in Seattle).”

To hear Slay’s full conversation on the “All Things Covered” podcast, click below as the Eagles angle discusses his relationship with Matt Patricia, the Eagles’ 2021 playoff hope. and his friendship with rookie Eagles DeVonta Smith.

Philadelphia’s running game is the best in NFL thanks to Hurts, who leads the group with 695 yards of dash and eight rush touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per take. Hurts leads all players in explosive games in the NFL (85) and is eighth in total fouls with 3,130 yards. Hurts scored 50 yards forward in six straight games, beating Randall Cunningham for the longest record by a holding quarterback in franchise history.

Hurts’ passing numbers are not as dominant as his rushing totals. Hurts completed 60.1% of his passes in 2,435 yards with 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions (83.9 rating). Of the 34 qualifying midfielders, Hurts is 28th in completion rate, 23rd in touchdown rate (3.7%), 18th in interception rate (2.3%), 23rd in yards. each attempt (6.9) and 28th in passer rating.

“He lacked confidence,” Slay said. “He’s going to have the same mindset of trying to go out and dominate a guy and try to be the best player he can to try and help this team win. Not too many people. in this building can become a leader (like him) early (in their career).

“He has a voice, he works hard and he knows what to say to a team to get them through. He has a mindset that makes the players go ‘I want to run over the wall for you.’ He does that very well.”

If the Eagles decide to go ahead with the Hurts this season, Slay will decide. With three first-round draft picks set to take place in 2022, the Eagles can build around their midfield and give him another season to develop in attack. There is little reason to make an informed decision about a starting quarterback based on a small sample size.