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Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Maxwell hinders the Defense from being great

By Jeremy Klump

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Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches a touchdown pass past Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Byron Maxwell (31) in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

6 years, $63 million.

27-34, 392 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 134.3 passer rating, and 6 penalties.

What do these numbers mean?

The first set, the six years and 63 million, are the numbers of the contract the Philadelphia Eagles gave to free agent cornerback Byron Maxwell.

The second set, those are the passing numbers on the six-year, $63 million dollar cornerback, Byron Maxwell.

What does it all mean? It means the Eagles have not gotten what they have paid for.

Byron Maxwell was brought into Philadelphia to be a shutdown corner and that just has not happened yet. Maxwell has struggled in pass coverage and has not been what the Eagles and their fans have thought he would be.

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Many may make the excuse that he has had to go up against some pretty good wide receivers, but you pay a cornerback $63 million to not worry about who the wide receiver he is going against.

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Maxwell was arguably the best cornerback in free agency other than the obvious stud, Darrelle Revis. Many knew Maxwell would get a big contract and thought that Maxwell and the Eagles would be a great fit. I believe they were a great fit as well and I still think they are a great fit.

Some are calling Maxwell the Nnamdi Asomugha of the Eagles and they might not be too far off. The Eagles thought they were getting one of the best corners ever in Asomugha and obviously we all know how that played out. The Eagles did not think Maxwell was one of the best corners ever, but they did believe that he was the best corner for their defense. One could see how Maxwell is being compared to Asomugha because of the big free agent money and poor play.

Maxwell has flashed the skills the Eagles believed he could bring to their defense. Look here at the impressive coverage skills he brings to the table when he focuses on his technique:

Maxwell was all over the Saints wide receiver and played the pass perfectly.

However, Maxwell has seemed to throw his technique out of the window at times and it has really been hard to watch.

Here is a prime example of how his poor technique has hurt him:

Julio Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but if you bring poor technique to the table like Maxwell did on that play; heck, any WR in the NFL could get open on him.

It has seemed at times that Maxwell has not truly cared about his technique and maybe this will be something that will annoy some people, but it has also seemed that at times Maxwell just does not care at all. Watch the effort Maxwell gives on this New Orleans Saints run play.

"Watch Byron Maxwell give everything he's got on this tackle attempt…."

I know, that video was frustrating. I understand cornerbacks are not the best tacklers in the world, but Maxwell really gives no effort on that play.

One big play that most likely still hurts Eagles fans is the late touchdown he gave up to Terrance Williams of the Dallas Cowboys, which was thrown by Brandon Weeden…

The play is the perfect mix of poor technique and Maxwell not really giving his all. This play is painful to watch and really makes you question the drive Maxwell has to help the Eagles win the game.

Maxwell gives one of the saddest efforts I have seen a Eagles cornerback give. It hurts even more knowing that the Eagles put their faith in him by giving him a 6 year $63 million contract and plays like this have happened.

It is only Week 7, so Maxwell does have some time to turn it around, but as of right now, it really looks like Maxwell may not have been worth the money.

However, there is only one person who can control the fate of this free agent acquisition, and that is Maxwell himself. Hopefully he is ready to show that the Eagles made the right move by giving him that much money and become the shutdown corner the Eagles thought they were getting.

Here you go Eagles fans, a video of Maxwell before he got to Philly showcasing the skills the Eagles thought they were going to get. Time will tell if they will come around for Maxwell as an Eagle, but enjoy…or cry.

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