Kevin Monangai’s NFL career didn’t get off to the most brilliant of starts. The rookie running back found little room to maneuver in the Eagles’ preseason opener, finishing his professional debut with 11 yards on six carries.
Then in the second preseason game, on Monangai’s third attempt against Baltimore, disaster struck. Ravens interior linebacker Albert McClellan ripped the ball away from Monangai during the fourth quarter on Saturday, a devastating turnover for an undrafted rookie who’s just trying to earn a job.
But Monangai didn’t let the mistake keep him down for long. When the 22-year-old retook the field for the following series, he ran like a man possessed, his next seven carries going for a total of 77 yards, including a hard-fought 1-yard touchdown.
That scoring play was set up by Monangai’s longest carry of the night, a 28-yard scamper, one of two 20-yard gains in the contest. It was clear the Villanova product was motivated to erase the mistake, although not out of fear it would cost him his opportunity in the league.
It was an opportunity to show he can remain poised and rebound even stronger.
“I just have to show the coaches I’m mentally tough, and I’m able to bounce back from bad situations,” Monangai said. “They always talk about turning the bad into good, and the good into great, so I’m just trying to do that.”
Monangai is a longshot to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster, to put it mildly. Unsigned until late July, he’s a longshot to stick anywhere, if we’re being honest.
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However, Monangai understands a spot on the practice squad could be at stake — if not here, then elsewhere — and he wasn’t about to let one little fumble ruin that.
Of course, he probably wouldn’t mind if he were to somehow remain in Philadelphia. Taking handoffs in front of home crowds at Lincoln Financial Field these past two weeks — just a short ride from where Monangai played his college ball — has been quite the experience.
“Played [at the Linc] probably twice in my college career, so I have a lot of Villanova fans out here,” Monangai said. “It’s been a great experience playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Monangai finished his collegiate career with 3,167 yards rushing, good for third all-time in school history behind Eagles great Brian Westbrook and senior quarterback John Robertson. He also crossed the goal line 29 times on the ground. He may not possess home run speed, but Monangai can pound the rock.
Where Monangai could really help his cause of prolonging his NFL journey, and the aspect of his game he would most like to improve, is in all facets of the passing attack.
“Probably my route running,” Monangai said. “My ability to catch the ball has been pretty good throughout camp, but I think you can always find something to improve at.
“That, and I want to work on my pass blocking. It’s at a good level right now, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Fortunately, Monangai has the perfect tutor in Darren Sproles, one of — if not — the absolute best pass-catching running backs and backfield protectors in the NFL. And at 5-foot-8, 209 pounds, Monangai does resemble a slightly larger version of the Pro Bowler, a fact that is not lost on the rookie.
“From a physical standpoint, we’re pretty similar,” Monangai said. “I’ve been in [Sproles’ and running back DeMarco Murray’s] ear a lot trying to learn things they did along the way to get where they’re at.”
We’re not going to see Monangai lining up at wide receiver and racking up 80-catch seasons any time soon, but he can certainly learn a thing or two from the 11th-year veteran.
Monangai has one reception for eight yards this preseason. He had 38 receptions for 274 yards and five touchdowns at Villanova.
Monangai still has a long way to securing a place in the league, but he’s making the most of his opportunity with the Eagles. At the very least, Monangai left that ugly fumble in his rearview mirror and authored a preseason performance he can be proud of.