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Philadelphia Eagles: Miles Austin’s Role

By Andrew Goldwasser

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News began to trickle in, on Monday, that veteran wide receiver Miles Austin would be visiting the Philadelphia Eagles later in the week.

It made a ton of sense.

So it was no surprise when, moments later, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted:

‘Why,’ you would be reasonable to wonder, ‘does it make a ton of sense for the Eagles to sign Miles Austin: A guy who’s best years are well behind him and whose career has been slow-tracked by a series of nagging injuries?’

A lot of reasons, really.

Starting with the non-football stuff:

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Austin is a New Jersey native and went to school at Monmouth (about an hour and a half outside of Philly.)

“Yeah? That means nothing.”

True. But I’ve got a whole list:

He’s a redemption-story kind of guy: Chip Kelly has made it no secret that he loves to buy low on guys that have the potential for more. It’s sorta been the theme of this off-season: Kiko Alonso, Sam Bradford, Walter Thurmond, et al. At least a couple have to stay healthy and be pleasant surprises. Right? Add Austin to that list.

Austin’s a famed lover of the game. Austin’s work ethic and passion have been the talk of coaches and players wherever he’s been. The Eagles have a young receiving corps that figures to get even younger with at least one addition in the draft this year. Austin is a leader: When he was out of action last December, Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com wrote:

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“The veteran could’ve recovered in the convenience of his own home. Instead, Austin was just as prevalent at practice and in meetings as he was when he was healthy – and maybe even more so. Austin embraced the big brother role with Cleveland’s young wide receiving corps. He imparted wisdom of X’s and O’s but, even more so, taught them about being a successful professional.”

In Chip Kelly’s own words: “We want a bunch of guys that like playing football. Not what football gets them.”

There’s nothing in the Miles Austin story that would indicate he’s anything other than one of those guys.

“Okay. Lovely. He’s a terrific person. So am I. Are the Eagles gonna bring me in to camp?”

No. No they’re not. But I see your point.

So, fine, let’s assume, as I do, that all will go well with the physical and that Miles Austin will be an Eagles by week’s end.

What’s the football fit?

Austin played well for a quarterback-less team in Cleveland last year. He caught 47 balls. For 568 yards. And he did that in just 12 games and with just 73 targets. To put it into some perspective: Riley Cooper did about the same amount of damage with 95 targets in 16 games.

Austin’s 64.4% reception percentage (percentage of targets that resulted in receptions) was just a shade off of the best year of his career (a Pro Bowl year backin 2009.) It was also right where the Eagles’ two most reliable targets were: Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz caught 65% of targets. Jeremy Maclin only hauled in 59% of his targets.

Austin caught four balls for 47 yards per-game in 2014. Matthews caught four for 55. Ertz: four for 44. Cooper: 3 for 36. Maclin: 5 for 82.

When analyzing those numbers, try to remember that the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is… well. How can it be summed up? They turned to Johnny Manziel to try to fix it. So. Yeah.

Brian Hoyer completed only 55% of his total passes last year. And, again, 64% of the ones he threw to Austin were caught.

Summary: Austin was far more reliable than he should have been in the Cleveland Browns imitation of a passing game.

None of this translates to: Miles Austin is a superstar that will remake the Eagles receiving corps.

Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Miles Austin (19) celebrates after catching a pass for at touchdown during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

All of this, however, translates to: Austin is not the least bit out of place on an Eagles roster that figures to feature Riley Cooper, Josh Huff, and Jeff Maehl at wideout. He is arguably a better option than any of those players from the moment he steps on the field.

And that’s got nothing to do with the fact that he’s a veteran leader with work ethic to spare and an attitude that any coach would love to see rubbing off on a guy like Josh Huff. Or a guy like Insert-Eagles-First-or-Second-Round-Pick-Here.

As far as scheme? It makes all the sense in the world. Austin, especially at the age of 30, makes the most sense in the slot. He’s a savvy veteran receiver who’s most relevant skill these days is finding a way to get open. And who’s got the body type that Chip Kelly likes in a slot receiver (big and long.) And if the goal is to give Jordan Matthews an opportunity to work on the outside this season (something to which Chip Kelly has alluded) it is incredibly sensible to bring in another slot option.

If Matthews stays inside? It makes a lot of sense to give him a veteran teammate that could teach him a thing or two. Matthews always seems eager to glean whatever he can from veterans.

If Cooper continues to produce at barely roster-able levels in 2014… anyone would be a better option on the outside. And Miles Austin, in 2014, was a far better and far more productive player than Riley Cooper. By any metric. Any standard.

And if Cooper rebounds? And Matthews stays in the slot? And a first round rookie like Jaelen Strong or DeVante Parker starts on the outside?

Well, then, Austin is a veteran with 69 NFL starts helping a group of young receivers (Rookie guy, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, maybe Jeff Maehl) that have a combined 51 starts among them.

Where’s the harm in that?

Assuming, as I do, that Austin’s contract will be short, cheap, and team friendly: There’s really no down-side that I can see.

Now, if you believe the Eagles are bringing Austin in to replace Jeremy Maclin? Sure. They’d be crazy. And this move would be beyond silly.

But if you believe that the exit of DeSean Jackson/Jeremy Maclin and the drafting of Jordan Matthews/Josh Huff means a new era at wide receiver for the Eagles…

… Then Miles Austin is a guy the Eagles will be lucky to have helping with that transition.

Next: Bold Predictions for Eagles

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