Adrian Fedkiw
Rodney McLeod set the bar high on Thursday and can’t wait to play alongside Malcolm Jenkins in the Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary.
“I think we can be the best (safeties) in the league,” he said.
The 25-year-old McLeod, who agreed to a five-year $37 million deal with the Eagles Wednesday, posted 82 tackles and an interception with the Rams last season and was rated as the 10th best safety by Pro Football Focus. Not only is McLeod one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league, but he’s also adept in coverage.
He said that playing with Jenkins was one of the main reasons why he came to Philadelphia.
“The chance to play next to a guy of that caliber, that’s proven himself, and that I can learn from. I haven’t been able to do that in the past,” McLeod said.
Joining McLeod in the secondary is Ron Brooks, who inked a three-year pact to provide some depth at cornerback and will be a contributor on special teams. Brooks, however, wants to be more than a backup.
“I’m going to come out and compete to be the starting corner,” he said. “I’m not here to sit and take a back seat to anybody.”
One free-agent acquisition not in attendance for the introductory press conference was Brandon Brooks, but that didn’t stop Eagles head coach Doug Pederson from complimenting his new starting guard.
“Big, strong, athletic, roadgrader type. Nasty mentality, demeanor … All the things you look for in a guard,” he said.
Here’s video of McLeod talking, courtesy of CSN Philly:
He’s right.