Stars on the Field: A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith Light Up the NFL
Perfection. Now that’s a term that gets tossed around like a hot potato, especially in the world of the NFL! A.J. Brown isn’t just looking for perfection; he’s actively hunting it down like a kid chasing the ice cream truck. This hunger for greatness is what separates the average from the elite. And when we talk about elite, we’re talking about A.J. Brown and his partner-in-grime, DeVonta Smith!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the dynamic duo that wreaked havoc on the Cleveland Browns with a dazzling display of athleticism: 9 receptions, 180 yards, and a couple of touchdowns. I mean, if that’s not great, then I’m a confused kangaroo trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube! They showcased such synergy that even synchronized swimmers would be a tad jealous.
Brown, who’s had a bit of a rough patch with injuries, revealed his inner football philosopher: “There are things I can clean up…” Well, that’s just lovely for us non-athletes who tend to clean up our messes with a flick of a remote control and an order of pizza! But the man’s dedication is off the charts; after all, he’s back on the field, and he thoroughly loved it. Can’t say I blame him—who wouldn’t want to run around on a field, dodging giant men while having thousands of fans cheer you on? Sounds like a pretty sweet gig—unless you miss the ball. Then it’s just awkward.
And what about the complement they provide each other? It’s like watching Batman and Robin, if Batman was, well, this burly guy dubbed “Swole Batman” and Robin was the “Skinny Batman” who could probably outrun the fridge on a good day. The way these guys move around on the field is like poetry in motion; except instead of Shakespeare, it’s more like Dr. Seuss—not quite serious but somehow still profound!
Smith, full of confidence and swagger, knows that greatness doesn’t come easy. “It’s not going to go your way all the time,” he says, wise beyond his years. He’s not just preaching the power of positivity; he’s practically waving a motivational poster in our faces! But hey, who are we to argue? Hard work clearly pays off, especially when you’ve got two talented receivers aiming for the end zone.
Healthy, powerful, and raring to go, these two wide receivers are poised to take flight against the New York Giants. Now, let’s be honest, the Giants’ pass rush could give you stress lines just looking at their stats. They’ve more sacks than your local dry cleaner, so it’s safe to say the Eagles’ offense better be ready to soar high to dodge those incoming attacks like dodging a big bill after a night out!
So, folks, it’s time for these stars to shine! Buckle up and keep your popcorn ready because we’re in for a dramatic showdown that’ll make even the most stoic of us jump out of our seats—likely spilling our snacks in the process!
A.J. Brown wants perfection and, of course, the very best of the very best in the business strive for an unblemished performance. It is what drives them each and every day as they go through the grind of an NFL schedule, what makes them as great as they are.
And there is no doubt about it, that Brown and fellow starting wide receiver DeVonta Smith are great players. The best of the best, indeed, shown once again on Sunday in the 20-16 victory over Cleveland when Brown and Smith combined for 9 receptions, 180 yards, and a pair of touchdowns.
“It was a lot of fun out there, getting into the flow of things, making plays for the offense, and helping us win,” said Brown, who missed three games with a hamstring injury after his Week 1 performance of 5 receptions, 119 yards, and a touchdown to help beat Green Bay in Brazil. “There are things I can clean up and I’m looking forward to making those improvements. But being out there, that’s what I’m here for. I loved it.”
And the offense loves him and Smith and the way they complement each other and make it very difficult for defenses to get a handle on either – or both. They each move around in the formation and Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore’s designs make it difficult for coverages to zero in on the standout receivers. When they are running their routes, you see the brilliance and you understand how their talents play off each other – Brown is the burly, “Swole Batman,” and Smith is the lithe “Skinny Batman,” but both men are incredibly tough with great hands, dedication to their crafts and highly intelligent.
“You have to have a high level of confidence,” Smith said, “And we do. It’s not going to go your way all the time, but you just keep working hard and pushing and you will make good things happen. We know that we’re both going to have chances to make plays. That is the job we have.”
Now that both are fully healthy – Smith missed the game in Tampa after suffering a concussion in the win over New Orleans – the Eagles hope the offense is ready to fly to new heights. Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, the Eagles’ first NFC East opponent of the season, figures to be a challenge given the Giants’ league-leading pass rush (they’ve sacked quarterbacks an NFL-high 26 times) and sticky coverage on the back end.
Time for the stars to shine.
