The Eagles first drive Sunday started at their own 12-yard-line, and their fourth started at the 13.
Thats how it went for Dion Lewiss NFL debut.
Lewis, the rookie tailback from Pitt, twice elected to field kickoffs deep in the end zone Sunday, and both times the Eagles paid for it.
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On the games opening kickoff, Lewis fielded Josh Browns kick six yards deep but managed to get only out to the 12. He downed the next kickoff, which he fielded five yards deep, then opted to bring out the third six yards deep, taking it only to the 13.
The Eagles first drive netted only three yards, gave the Rams great field position and led to Steven Jacksons 47-yard touchdown run. After the three early opportunities, the Rams only kicked off one more time, and Jackson downed it five yards deep.
Lesson learned.
Its tempting to try a return, but youve got to be smart and do whats best for the team, Lewis said Wednesday, after the Eagles returned to practice three days after their 31-13 season-opening win over the Rams in St. Louis. If taking a knee is going to give us better field position, that would be a better thing to do.
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Its pretty hard, but youve got to be coachable, youve got to be a team player, and youve got to do whats best for the team.
Its easy to understand why Lewis was so eager Sunday. It was his first NFL game, and on Thursday night, another rookie playing in his first game, Randall Cobb of the Packers, had a 108-yard kick return on national TV against the Saints.
That was one of three kick returns for touchdowns in Week 1, and -- thanks to the rule change moving kickoffs up to the 35-yard-line -- all three were returned out of the end zone and went for at least 102 yards.
I think you have to be more willing to take it out (this year) simply because youre just not going to have that many chances, Lewis said.
Nobody really likes touchbacks, but with the rule change, theres going to be a lot more touchbacks. We were playing in a dome and the ball does carry there. When youre outside, the ball doesnt hang up there as long.
As a returner, you want to make a play, but you have to be smart, too. Its a judgment thing.
Head coach Andy Reid said something to Lewis after his second return that didnt even make it to the 15-yard-line. But he trusted Lewis enough to send him out for the one second-half kick return.
I think weve gotten that straightened out, Reid said.
Lewis said the key to returning kickoffs is making a quick decision as the ball is approaching and sticking with it and trusting your judgment.
When it doesnt go as far as you wanted, youre like, Yeah, I should have taken a knee, but you have to be aggressive. You cant over-think yourself. You have to make a decision, go with it. If its take a knee, take a knee, if its come out, youve got to go. Its all a matter of getting experience and getting better.
Well definitely be much better next week.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com