USA Today: Reggie Brown Driven To Be The #1 WR

[PhillyPhreak54]

Article

Go ahead and say it: Reggie Brown isn't a No. 1 wide receiver.

Fret over his inexperience. Whine about the Philadelphia Eagles' paucity of go-to receivers. Protest their failure — or reluctance — to pursue a marquee receiver.

Make the obvious comparison. Brown couldn't come close to matching the ability of his predecessor, Terrell Owens.

Fill up the internet chat rooms. Air your gripes on sports talk radio. Blog until your fingers turn blue.

You're helping Brown, fueling the fire that already burns within.

"Every time I get criticized," the second-year wideout deadpanned, "it just makes me motivated. I just want to prove everybody wrong."

He feeds off skeptics and doubters like sharks do wayward surfers, allowing hype and conjecture to boil beneath the surface before he releases a maelstrom of pent-up vitriol on the most vulnerable target: himself.

When Brown feels slighted, like when draft pundits last April said Brown lacked the physical tools and consistency to make an impact in the NFL, he ratchets up an already-grueling workout regimen to a level that seems more absurd than productive.

Brown likes to invent unique ways to put his body through the grinder. He has biked more than 50 miles in an afternoon, jump-roped from one neighborhood to another (with ankle weights on), practiced route-running for hours in 100-plus-degree temperatures.

"I just try unorthodox ways to train myself," he said. "I just think of stuff on the go. I just try to think of something that would be hard, to make me that much better."

Try this for difficult: Tossed into the fire known as Andy Reid's intricate West Coast offense last season after the team had exiled Owens, Brown ended his rookie campaign with 43 catches for 571 yards and four touchdowns.

The 43 catches were an Eagles rookie record. The 571 yards were most among all rookies in 2005-06. The quarterback he was most often forced to connect with was Mike McMahon.

But fans' cries grow louder for disgruntled Green Bay Packers receiver Javon Walker while intrigue in next weekend's NFL Draft intensifies. By hook or crook, they crave someone capable of refueling an offense that went from explosive to implosive in one injury-riddled, Owens-ravaged season. Someone with more name value than Brown.

Brown hears the echoes of the fickle fan. His response? Bring on the competition.

"Whoever they bring, I feel like I can still play. I really don't care," he said. "It's just a challenge. The better the person is, it's just going to make me work harder and perform better."

Or at very least hit the workout room again.

Reggie Brown is going to be a stud. And I'll say it again...he's the next Chad Johnson.

2nd year + having McNabb throwing to him = big season

[The BIGSTUD]

I think Reggie Brown will be a stud too. In fact, he already is a stud. I still want Walker though. If Reggie Brown turns out to be as good as we think he will be, then imagine him paired with Walker.

[Father Demon]

He feeds off skeptics and doubters like sharks do wayward surfers.

What an awful simile.  Even if you get past the high school paper feel to it, how many wayward surfers get eaten by sharks each year?  Does this mean he feeds off skeptics and doubters a handful of times a year??

jump-roped from one neighborhood to another

I've done that.  I ended up with a restraining order forcing me to keep at least 500 yards away from the local junior high school.



But, speaking of Brown, I think he's going to offer big things this season.  I'll be picking him in the 4th or 5th round of the office fantasy league this year, and then gloating all season about my mad skilz.

[SD_Eagle5]

To me the Javon Walker talk has nothing to do with Reggie Brown, it has to do with adding another big play WR and creating some depth to a mediocre 2-5 on our depth chart. There's zero doubt in my mind he's ready to take the next step.

[Sgt PSN]

Nice offseason fluff piece.  But it does have a lot of merit though.  Brown is going to be a high quality player in this league, hopefully with the Eagles.  I don't know if he'll be a true stud, but I think he's going to put up excellent numbers and be a force to be reckoned with. 

[General_Failure]

It's really going to suck when he gets hurt in camp.

[PhillyPhreak54]

If he gets hurt, I will hunt you down and...well, I don't know. But I'll do something, dammit!

[SD_Eagle5]

If he gets hurt, I will hunt you down and...well, I don't know. But I'll do something, dammit!

You should fart in his milk, that'll teach him.

[PhillyPhreak54]

 

Mmmm...bubbly, farty milk on the Cap'n Crunch.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I don't care who's the #1 and who's the #2, but I'd like to have 2 starters and a capable slot guy.

[QB Eagles]

So Reggie Brown wants to be good. What a fascinating story.

[hunt]

So Reggie Brown wants to be good. What a fascinating story.

hah...no kidding.
articles like that mean nothing...until he does it on the field, nothing is proven.

[MURP]

To me the Javon Walker talk has nothing to do with Reggie Brown, it has to do with adding another big play WR and creating some depth to a mediocre 2-5 on our depth chart.

damn straight. holler.

[shorebird]

Brown is already as good or better than Pinky, imo, and you have to think he will get better. It looks right now that he can be a decent receiver in the NFL, but I don't know if I can see him putting up big no.1 receiver type numbers. Bring in Walker and it will make him better and take a lot of pressure off him.

[MDS]

Walker, Brown, Pinkston, Gaffney, McMullen/Lewis
Brown, Pinkston, Gaffney, Lewis, McMullen/someone else

Which is significantly better?