http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2009/01/philadelphia_eagles_celek_has.html
Maybe worth a wager -
I like how the offensive coordinator has faith in him, and so does Donovan. LJ Smith may play, but Celek seems to have taken the role over him.
Maybe worth a wager -
The 6-4, 255-pound Celek made the most of his opportunities filling in for an injured L.J. Smith, including a six-catch, 131-yard performance at Seattle in Week 9. Smith, the former Rutgers star, didn't play last week due to a shoulder injury, but Eagles coach Andy Reid indicated that Celek will start Sunday regardless of Smith's health.
"You never know what can happen," said Celek, who has 27 catches for 318 yards and a touchdown this season. "You're always one play away at any given moment, so you got to be ready. I just tried to do my best when I got in there. That's the mindset you have to have. If you don't do, they'll find somebody else."
Celek was Donovan McNabb's favorite target in the Eagles' wild-card win against the Vikings last week with a team-high six receptions for 56 yards. With the Giants bent on shutting down ultra-threat Brian Westbrook, and with cornerbacks Corey Webster and Aaron Ross in lockdown mode on wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis, Celek likely will likely a significant part of the gameplan again.
"When you get that opportunity," Celek said of starting, "You don't want to let it slip away. I just worked my hardest to get here. Luckily, I'm still here."
For a guy who didn't even get an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine coming out of the University of Cincinnati, Celek couldn't have imagined a better script this season. He showed flashes of brilliance in seven starts, including a touchdown in the Eagles' 44-6 rout of the Cowboys in the regular-season finale that pushed them into the playoffs.
"We've talked about this before even last year and early this season: Brent Celek is a heck of a football player," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He's consistent in everything he does and very dependable. And then has some skill and ability. He has not surprised anybody on our staff, because we expected that from him."
Celek's solid route-running ability -- he made a nifty double move on Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield last week that resulted in a reception -- and brute strength have helped him find his niche. Celek's ability to pick up yards after contact also has opened eyes.
"In college, he was stout running the ball after he caught it," said Eagles DE Trent Cole, also a former college teammate. "The guy who had the first shot to tackle him always had a hard time getting him down."
Celek admitted that his knack for gaining extra yards after the first hit comes from running "scared and angry."
"I don't like being taken down by one person," he said. "I take pride in that."
Eagles coach Andy Reid credited Celek's four starts as a rookie with his growth this season.
"He had an opportunity to play, and that's half the battle as a rookie," Reid said. "Then, that second year you can take a little bit of a bigger step forward."
Of course, Celek -- more than anyone -- realizes that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
I like how the offensive coordinator has faith in him, and so does Donovan. LJ Smith may play, but Celek seems to have taken the role over him.