Eagles’ veteran CB is an uplifting star rookie

PHILADELPHIA – When Darius Slay broke through with the Detroit Lions as the 36th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the now six-time Pro Bowl selection was fortunate enough to land in a place where veterans were willing to help.

It’s almost counterintuitive to be asked to help a younger player who might eventually take your job, but Slay has always credited veterans like Glover Quin and Rashean Mathis with helping shape his formative years with the Lions.

And it had such a big impact on him that Slay is now the 33-year-old veteran paying it forward to rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in his 12th NFL season.

“I can’t say enough good things about Slay and the leader he is,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Monday. “He’s been voted captain three years in a row now. And the reason for that is because he’s such a good leader, such a good teammate.”

Slay’s genuine desire to uplift all his teammates is sometimes masked by a big personality.

“I think that’s something you don’t hear enough about Slay. You hear about the special game he has. But man, he always wants the best for his teammates,” Sirianni said. “Good heart. Just a great teammate.”

The more obvious connection for Slay is Mitchell as an outside CB who has hit the ground running in the NFL with the veteran’s help.

“I think when you’re a young player like Q, and someone who plays the same position as you takes you under their wing, that’s a special deal,” Sirianni said. “Especially a player of the caliber that Slay is, who Q has probably been watching since he was ten.

“…And Q is humbled to take advice from someone who has done it at a high level.”

Mitchell is in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year thanks to his good coverage in Vic Fangio’s tough zone defense, which often emphasizes men’s attributes.

The Toledo product has allowed just 23 receptions on 41 targets coming his way for 291 yards and a less-than-stellar completion percentage of 56.1 and a pass rating of 78.4 against opposing quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

The mentorship has been going well so far.

“I think the relationship is cool because it’s two guys with no ego involved,” Sirianni said. “Believe me, when Slay and Q get there, they think they can cover everyone. And they can cover anyone, so there’s the ego in that. Something all good players do.”

The Eagles’ coach explained the connection even further.

“Slay says, ‘How can I help my young teammate get better, for the good of the team?’ And Q says, “Hey man, this guy with all this good knowledge is willing to help me. How can I listen to it?’” Sirianni said. “So it’s really cool. I admire that about Slay first and foremost, and Q has done a good job of putting his head down and working.

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