by David ElfinUnlike quarterback Kevin Kolb, fullback Owen Schmitt, center Mike McGlynn, right guard Max Jean-Gilles and defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, who will be in Philadelphia's lineup on Sunday because of injuries to players who were ahead of them on the depth chart, Jeremy Maclin has been a starter virtually since he was the Eagles' first-round selection out of Missouri in the 2009 draft.As a rookie, Maclin was the third target for quarterback Donovan McNabb, catching 56 passes to 62 for fellow receiver DeSean Jackson and 76 for tight end Brent Celek. This season was already different for Maclin, who had 20 catches for 296 yards and a team-high four touchdown grabs before Jackson was kayoed with a concussion early in the second quarter last Sunday.
But after Jackson went down, Maclin stepped up, catching five more balls for 120 yards and two touchdowns, including an 83-yard bomb from Kolb that put the game away as Philadelphia beat Atlanta 31-17 in a battle of NFC contenders. The seven catches, 159 yards and two scores were career-highs.
Only running back LeSean McCoy has more catches for the Eagles and no one has more receiving yards or touchdown catches. In fact, Maclin's six touchdown receptions are the most in the conference.
"He did a great job of selling (the fake), obviously, with (the defender) biting like that," Kolb said about the longest play of his career and Maclin's. "One thing that helps Mac a lot is his focus and determination. He doesn't think anybody can cover him. He doesn't think anybody can get past him when he's blocking. That aggression ... that's why he finds himself so wide-open sometimes."
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