Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Posted: 1:50 p.m.
By Dave Zangaro
CSNPhilly.com
EVESHAM, N.J.Over the past few weeks, only a few fans have asked for his autograph, and, those who have, probably didnt know his name. But he thinks theyll know soon enough.
Jamar Adams is a name many Eagles fans might not be familiar with. The 25-year-old defensive back was back on the artificial turf field at the Memorial Sports Complex in Marlton, N.J. on Wednesday morning. For the second day in a row, Adams provided loose coverage on Jason Avant, who was being thrown to by Mike Kafka.
There were only three Eagles at the workouts again on Wednesday.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The lockout is a trying time for Adams. The defensive back, who spent two years with the Seahawks, just finished his first year with the Eagles last season and has two more left on his contract. Hes a young player yearning to make a name for himself.
Im just ready for the lockout to break, so I can get out there and earn my stripes, he said.
Adams played in seven games as a Seahawk during his two years in Seattle, but got his first NFL start in the Eagles last regular season game of 2010, a 14-13 loss to Dallas.
It was great, he said. It was a dream come true. I worked really hard out in Seattle and played in some games, but never got to start, never got to play the whole game. Its different when you come into games and come back out.
What made the experience even better for Adams, is that he performed well. He played the whole game, had two tackles and deflected a pass.
It definitely refueled me, he said. I ended up having a really good game and made some plays. It gave me confidence in my skills. I played against All-Pro tight end Jason Witten, played against all their stars, minus Dez Bryant, but everybody else played.
When youre out there for every play, thats what you play for.
While he hasnt had much playing time in the NFL, Adams says his college career at Michigan, in the Big Ten, prepared him to play against top-notch talent.
Pittsburgh Steeler and Adams former Wolverine teammate, LaMarr Woodley, has called him to say that this is his year to make a name for himself.
But, understandably, its hard for a young player to get playing time if theres a lockout. Adams is in an interesting situation, though. When he got word that he was going to start against Dallas in the last week of the regular season, he didnt have much time to learn the playbook, yet he still performed.
The Eagles are in a similar bind this season with new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo taking the reigns. There wont be much time to learn the new system, but Adams has already proven he can do it.
I ended up coming in here and had an opportunity to start the last game of the season against Dallas, he said. And, didnt have much time to learn the playbook. I think the coaches feel confident in my skills and my ability to retain the playbook quickly.
Adams remains confident that when the lockout ends, even with a bunch of guys ahead of him on the depth chart, hell be given a shot with the Eagles.
When you put the helmet on and the jersey on, at the end of the day, whoevers producing more is going to play, he said. My hopes are to go out there and be the best player I can be, stay healthy first and then go out there and compete as hard as I can. I know when I compete really hard and I stay healthy, Im a really good player.
Adams said hes confident that this season, his fourth in the league, will be his best yet. Hell continue, he said, to work out and build off of his late-season success from a year ago.
The Dallas game definitely made me feel like I belong in this league. It was a great confidence booster, he said. Im ready to go.
E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com
Related: Vick helps launch new padding for head injuriesFrank: Most overrated and underrated Eagles: DBs