Eagles

Michael Clay Says Removing Jalen Reagor From Kickoff Duty Will “Probably Not” be Permanent

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Dec 9th, 2021 · 12:18 PM EST

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Let’s get it back to the EAGLES.

The Birds had some special teams adventures in Sunday’s win. They allowed a big return on the opening kickoff and Jalen Reagor watched a kick bounce over his head and land inside the five yard line. Later, he was replaced by Boston Scott when the Jets kicked off to begin the second half.

Special teams coordinator Michael Clay was asked about all of that this week, and here’s the first relevant quote:

Q. On the kick return that WR Jalen Reagor opted not to return or field initially, I should say, what was the approach supposed to be from him? What was his explanation for why he went about it the way he did? And why was it important to you to make a change there after that? (Tim McManus)

MICHAEL CLAY: It was one of those situations where we, obviously, have our rules for the returners of where to place their heels at. I think he kind of got lost where he was at when he first ran out there. Then as we looked at it again, he didn’t think he was that far back.

It was one of those things we can learn from – everyone can learn from. Not just him, also all the returners right there. It’s one of those mistakes that we can’t have because we put the offense in a terrible situation. Luckily, they bailed us out with that big scoring drive right there.

But it was one of those little mental lapses that, myself, I could be better at and just keep reminding him that, even if there’s a TV time-out, just to give him a hand signal just to back up right there. For the most part, it was a collective ‘FUBAR’ from the special teams standpoint there.

Then coming out at the half, Jalen playing a lot of offense right there and trying to take something off his plate there for the time being. We had enough people to jump in. Obviously, Boston, who’s done it before, he was willing and able to get in right there and just take something off his plate to be ready for offense and punt return.

And then a follow up question about making a change at the returner position:

Q. Will the taking of the kickoff returns off his plate in that game, will that be permanent?(Jeff McLane)

MICHAEL CLAY: Probably not, I wouldn’t say permanent. We’re obviously all being evaluated, myself included. We’re going to go through the evaluation of everything, but Jalen, even the first one, he got to the 31 yard line, he brings some explosiveness. Everything’s kind of magnified on the returner in those situations, especially kickoff and punt return because, obviously, he’s the one catching the ball.

But there are other factors. There are the other ten guys right there. So, I wouldn’t say anything like that. We’re obviously going to try to put our team in the best situation possible. We’ve got enough time to go through it and talk about it, but I wouldn’t say any of that.

Clay was also asked if he felt like the tough stretch has been weighing on Reagor mentally, and if he was carrying that burden with him onto the field. The coordinator downplayed that, reiterating what other coaches have said, that Reagor comes in, works hard, and trains the right way.

“It’s just one of those things where it was just a mental lapse, just like everybody else has in football or in the real world,” Clay said. “One we just can’t have, but I don’t see anything hindering him from previous weeks in terms of that.”