Eagles star is ready to build on great performance vs. Rams.
PHILADELPHIA —Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is not getting big-headed after shutting down three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, allowing just two receptions for 12 yards on five targets.
Mitchell typically shies away from spotlight and lets his teammates do most of the talking for him. He said Thursday that his matchup against Adams taught him to be more patient. Then, his teammates said a lot more about it.
“He gets the name silent assassin for a reason, man,” cornerback Parry Nickerson said about Mitchell. “That guy comes to work every day, works on his craft, and it translates to the game.”
Adams said before facing the Eagles that he wanted to show Mitchell “a few things that he’s never had to deal with before,” but he never fazed him.
Mitchell followed Adams on 27 of his 34 routes, displaying top-end ability. On Sunday, he could shut down the Buccaneers’ wide receivers to help the Eagles win against Tampa Bay for the first time in two years.
Three games into Mitchell’s second season, he looks like one of the league’s best cornerbacks, outplaying his late first-round draft slot.
“You go against a guy like that and do what he did, that’s pretty tough to do, especially with the experience that Adams has,” Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean said. “I’m pretty sure to him it’s just another day at the office. He doesn’t think too much about that, but when you really put it into perspective, it’s pretty impressive.”
Obvious to the eye is Mitchell’s athleticism and size (6-0, 193 pounds), but his strong work ethic and maturity is a big reason for his success.
This season, Mitchell has held extra meetings with defensive backs coach Christian Parker, his fellow cornerbacks and other defensive players to improve his knowledge of Vic Fangio’s scheme.
“If you guys don’t know now, it’s not a secret that Q is one of the best at the cornerback position,” Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo said. “I just feel he displays confidence, effort, preparation. A performance like that (against Adams) doesn’t just happen randomly or just out of luck. He puts time into the game and trusts himself.”
The long hours Mitchell spends watching game film has paid dividends. He can quickly diagnose formations and concepts to play fast.
“It’s easy to do when you’re in the AC, in the film room, man, but just the way he’s able to go out there and just display it on the field is good to see,” Ringo said.
Starting cornerback Adoree’ Jackson appreciates that Mitchell “never looks for a pat on his back” and pushes himself to get better.
When edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo arrives at 8 a.m. each day, he said that typically Mitchell is already there working out. He has also seen Mitchell working on “DB things” with Parker before every practice.
“He just continues to come out and work like nobody knows that he’s good,” Okoronkwo said. “Like he isn’t sh--, you know, and that’s just a great, great attribute to have for a young corner.”
After rewatching the Rams’ game, Jackson thought Mitchell was competitive on every rep versus Adams. Nickerson noticed that Mitchell has adapted former Eagles Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay’s play style but with “his own twist.”
Rookie safety Drew Mukuba said Mitchell has “crazy” lateral quickness, which allows him to stick with top WRs.
Mukuba wants to follow in Mitchell’s shoes as the Eagles’ next star DB. Mitchell has shown him what it takes to get there.
“I’m trying to find somebody I can mimic or somebody that is doing the right things to be able to get themselves ready, to be able to perform at a high level, and he’s one of those guys,” Mukuba said. “And like I said, you see it week in and week out, he’s able to go out there, shadow a top receiver and be able to win those battles.”
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Category: General Sports
