Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Jacob Eason in action at training camp at Lucas Oil Stadium in August 2020. (Photo AP / Michael Conroy)
Throughout his 17-year career in the NFL, Philip Rivers earned a reputation as not only one of the major quarterbacks in the league, but one of the best junk speakers of his generation.
Regular word-of-mouth exchanges with opponents – often light-hearted – became a valuable addition to his personality, encompassing everything from Rivers ’sense of humor to his strong competitive nature.
Jacob Eason’s rookie season included a face-to-face chair to everything as the fourth-round pick looked and embraced the character traits and complexities of a professional. the steps he hopes to follow.
“Philip was very special that way, it was cool to see for himself and how he did it,” Eason mocked his conversation with Sky Sports. “That gave our team some energy and juice too so it was good to see some of that.”
Rivers called time on his playing days last month, after leading the Colts to the playoffs in his same year with the team before eventually falling to a 27-24 loss to the end- Buffalo Bills week on a wild card.
5:52 The GMF team responds to the news that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has announced his retirement after 17 seasons in the NFL
Eason didn’t record a single trap in 2020 as the third string behind the 39-year-old and Jacoby Brissett, not that it stopped him from feeling the benefits of overshadowing one of the advisors the most personal and perfect player a player could ever want to get out of college.
“Philip was very consistent in how he went about his business, he was the same guy every day and I think that’s one of the things you look like in a quarterback, you do not want someone who is going to change, “Eason said.
“Philip was consistently the same man every day. He gave the same idea of work, he was happy to be there, he was hungry every day and it was cool to sit there and watch from one like that with those many years of experience.
“I’ve mentioned this before, even winning and losing, those are great in football and the way Philip handled winning was the same way he handled loss.
“He was always back to basics and starting all over again so just being around Philip was awesome for me and it was an awesome year to be able to learn and grow from it.”
Colts quarterback Eason practices during August training camp (AP Photo / Michael Conroy)
Eason was recently slammed to become the Colts’ ‘next up’ quarterback with a former Georgia team player and now Mecole Hardman, who is linked with a Super Bowl.
While on par with the support of the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, the 23-year-old is focused solely on those under his control. Nevertheless, he has vowed to be ready for any opening that may be in itself.
“I’m not big in the world of Twitter and all but some people were sending it to me (Hardman’s comments),” he said. “I love Mecole, I wish him nothing but the best thing on the coming Sunday, he’s always been the one I love to be around too.
“As for the other stuff, I’m not really talking about that right now, I have to put my best foot forward to put myself in the best position and we’ll see where it comes from. he is going.
“I don’t pay attention to the outside sounds, my mind is to stay in my own series and just remain the best person I can be.
“I’m just going to put my best foot forward and prepare for any situation, so whatever the situation, when the opportunity comes I want to be able to take advantage so that just means focusing on my own game and personal growth and continuing to improve. “
6:51 Selection of the Indianapolis Colts against the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Playoffs
The task of starting a quarterback for the Colts carries a familiar appeal for Eason, who grew up collecting Peyton Manning Panini trading cards as one of many kids who have idolized the Super Bowl champion two times.
“He was my favorite player so I didn’t know how many pages of his card, I had about all I could find when I was collecting and how that Peyton Manning was my husband, “said Eason, on behalf of Panini America.
“Being in the situation where I am on a card is very special, I am lucky and humble to be in this situation where I hope a small child picks up my card and wants being the next Jacob Eason, the next NFL quarterback so it’s pretty cool to be in that position. “
When that position belongs to him and whether it will forever belong to him remains to be seen, but Rivers ’retirement and Brissett’s free agent status have been making a fuss under the Indianapolis base this offseason.
4:24 Check out some of the best sounds from quarterbacks during the regular NFL 2020 season
Moving parts have naturally moved into the conversation as a potential landing place for the likes of Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz and Sam Darnold, with neither general manager Chris Ballard nor head coach Frank Reich can promise him. Eason still.
That may be less a reflection of their respect for him, which is believed to be high, but more because Eason did not have a preseason to win because of COVID-19 and the Colts turn to Rivers to win now a team to the postseason.
“It was definitely a great learning experience for me, from the point of view of the mindset of the game, everything from transitioning to being a professional and how I handle all of that, it was a fantastic year. it was for me, “Eason said of a rookie year.
“I mentally learned a lot, physically I was able to get a lot of good work in although I was not able to get out on the field on Sunday or in the previous season but it was a year. it was great in terms of growth and development for me. “
1:48 Get ready for a Super Bowl LV live on Sky Sports NFL Sunday night with a look back at some of the most memorable finals
In addition to Rivers, Eason saw another key figure in his development go away in January when offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni was named the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, his position with the Colts was taken over by the coach quarterbacks Marcus Brady.
After mocking online for a venomous press conference, Siranni gave a glimpse of his own humor while mocking him for going back and looking at the tape ‘, apparently able to play some expected jitters.
Although short-lived, Eason thinks he is lucky to have spent the time working with the former Chargers coach, who Philly is sure will enjoy.
“I enjoyed working with Nick,” said Eason. “He was another one of those high-energy people who brought it in every day, made you look for work and got you engaged and performing at your best.
“It was great to be able to learn and grow from him for a year and I have no doubt he will be head coach at Philly and I am thrilled to see what he will be doing over there.
“In terms of what I learned from him it was full, I was able to go on and on about what I learned from Nick and Philip and everyone involved in the project. That room was just a great opportunity for me to continue to learn and grow from those people last season. “
Join us on it Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm on Sunday, Feb. 7 for 90 minutes of Super Bowl LV build with Kirk Cousins, Dallas Clark and Cliff Avril joining Neil Reynolds and company; Sky One broadcast the match from 11pm.