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Former Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown inked a one-year deal to affix the Eagles in free company.
Jatavis Brown performed highschool soccer with Cre’Von LeBlanc. And the slot cornerback helped recruit the linebacker to the Eagles’ nest.
Brown, a former fifth-round pick of Akron, spent his first 4 seasons with the Chargers and began in 23 of 56 video games. He was relegated to principally a special-teams position in 2019. Accidents have dampened a once-promising profession and now he’ll step right into a linebackers room in Philadelphia determined for a shot of adrenaline. Brown is able to go away his mark.
“I’m a playmaker, man,” Brown informed Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro in March. “I’m someone that’s simply going to exit and ball out and have enjoyable. And revel in being on the market with my teammates.”
LeBlanc and Brown have been highschool teammates at Glades Central, a Florida soccer manufacturing facility that has earned six state titles and cast two dozen future NFL stars since 1995. When Brown hit free company in March, it didn’t take lengthy for his telephone to ring. The Eagles wanted a flexible linebacker and the 26-year-old match the invoice. It didn’t harm that LeBlanc had already bought Brown on becoming a member of the Eagles.
“He informed me it’s an awesome tradition right here. The locker room is nice,” Brown informed Spadaro. “They like to have enjoyable they usually like to ball, however when it’s time to work, it’s time to work.”
Extra importantly, they know how one can win. Brown has by no means appeared in a playoff recreation after an ankle damage saved him out of the Chargers’ lone postseason run in 2018.
“They know how one can win. They compete on Sundays,” Brown mentioned of the Eagles. “I feel it’s a superb match for me and I’m excited to be there.”
Jatavis Brown is without doubt one of the quickest linebackers within the league.
Racked up 116 tackles and 11.5 sacks in his final season at Akron. pic.twitter.com/ajV2KbSM1x
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) March 21, 2020
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Brown Says ‘Soccer is Every thing to Me’
Brown has collected 265 mixed tackles (14 for loss) and 4.5 sacks in 4 NFL seasons. He has expertise taking part in all three linebacker spots (MIKE, WILL, SAM) and thrived as an outdoor backer within the Chargers’ 4-Three scheme.
He’ll doubtless serve in the same position in Philly, most likely alongside Nathan Gerry and T.J. Edwards. Rookie Davion Taylor will even have an opportunity to earn a beginning spot.
“I contemplate myself a wise man on the subject of soccer, so I’m certain I’ll be diving into my playbook exhausting, so I’m a scholar of the sport,” Brown informed reporters, by way of Penn Dwell. “I don’t suppose I’ll have a problem with studying the system.”
Jatavis Brown is a missile on the LB place pic.twitter.com/x7TKp9dbjj
— PFF (@PFF) July 8, 2017
The most important problem for Brown over time has been staying wholesome. A foot sprain derailed his 2017 marketing campaign, adopted by an ankle sprain in 2018. The latter landed him on injured reserve and saved him off the sector for 2 Chargers’ playoff video games. He missed virtually all of coaching camp in 2019.
“Soccer is all the pieces to me,” Brown mentioned. “Soccer has gotten me by way of a number of issues in my life.”
Standout Go Rusher at College of Akron
Brown’s soccer journey has seen stops in Florida, Ohio, and California previous to his prepare pulling into Philadelphia. He discovered invaluable classes at every vacation spot however none higher than on the College of Akron.
There, he performed underneath longtime faculty coach Terry Bowden and racked up 340 whole tackles (40.5 for loss) in 4 years. In 2015, Brown earned MAC Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors whereas recording 11.5 sacks and 4 pressured fumbles. His 11.5 sacks set a brand new single-season document on the faculty, leaping forward of Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame member Jason Taylor.
Probably the most invaluable factor you may make is a mistake you possibly can’t study something being good.
— Jatavis Brown (@JB_five7) August 31, 2018
“Some folks have drive. Some folks don’t,” Bowden mentioned of Brown, by way of Akron Beacon Journal. “Some individuals are extremely motivated, extremely pushed. He’s certainly one of them. He got here right here with that kind of persona and that kind of mentality. You want you had all of them like that.”
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