May 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles fourth round draft pick quarterback Matt Barkley (2) passes the ball during organized team activities at the NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles rookie quarterback Matt Barkely is used to pressure thanks to his days at USC, one of the nation’s most historic collegiate programs.
What you wouldn’t expect is for Barkely to already be so comfortable at the pro level with the Eagles. However, he claims he feels less pressure with the Eagles when compared to the immense pressure he felt during his time at USC.
Barkely told Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"“I think right now is the least amount of pressure, to tell you the truth, the least amount of attention…I don’t mind it either way; you just get used to it. But now, with how the whole draft turned it, it allows me to not worry about anything but just put my head down and work, be focused.”"
"“I think I kind of knew, when I chose USC, just the pressures that the quarterback had and the responsibilities that the quarterback had with that program in Los Angeles, with that platform,” Barkley said. “I didn’t really think anything of it. Maybe I was oblivious. But it just seemed natural to take that role.”"
It’s no secret the expectations at USC are through the roof. That said, Barkley hasn’t seen anything yet. It’s been a quiet offseason because, well, it’s the offseason.
Once training camp kicks into gear and Barkley is in a full-blown battle with Michael Vick and Nick Foles in one of the most unforgiving sports cities in the world we’d bet Barkley will begin to feel the pressure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi9fcs6hqHw
Barkely is firmly planted in the No. 3 spot behind Foles and Vick at the moment. Perhaps it’s time he started feeling more pressure anyway.
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