Doug Pederson on Jalen Reagor’s lack of production stemming from ‘learning on the fly’
Pederson mentioned J. Reagor learning on fly this year. That's true, but other rookie WRs have been productive. This isn't isolated to 2020, though — look at Arcega-Whiteside last yr. Those are two premium picks.
Eagles must assess if it's evaluation, development, scheme, etc.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 30, 2020
Much has been made of the perceived lack of production from the No. 21 overall pick, Jalen Reagor who’ll forever be compared with Vikings star rookie, and No. 22 overall pick Justin Jefferson.
Reagor was one of six wide receivers taken in the first round and through 10 games, the former TCU star has 30 receptions for 381 yards and just one touchdown this season.
Reagor hasn’t topped more than 55 yards in a game, while also missing five games with a thumb injury.
During a recent zoom meeting, Pederson answered a question from Zach Berman of The Athletic, that harped on Reagor’s perceived “lack of production”, blaming it on the pandemic shortened offseason that had everyone “learning on the fly.”
“When you think about a [WR] Jalen Reagor for instance on offense, who didn’t have an off-season and really, we’re throwing him in there and he’s trying to learn on the fly, and it makes it a little more difficult for a guy like that.”
“You’re trying to point the finger in different directions. Obviously, Jalen is a talented guy and a lot of it will fall on us as coaches to prepare our players and get them ready. Then the other half of it falls on the player to get himself prepared and how well he comes in and understands and picks up the offense in this case.
“What was it week 2 against the Rams, is when he got hurt and now, he misses six weeks and now he’s done for six weeks. That growth process, you’re starting to see glimpses of it now, towards the end of the season with him that we were hoping for in weeks 3 and 4 in the regular season but he had the injury and it set him back.”
He said his production "wasn't enough for the team. … I just gotta keep improving, and you know, just sometimes you gotta look yourself in the mirror and then you see where you can improve." #Eagles
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) December 31, 2020
on Thursday, Reagor said his production “wasn’t enough for the team” while labeling his first season as “a test,” adding that he’s been through a lot that will help build his character.
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