Jalen Hurts Is a 'Maniac!' What Drives 'Tom Brady-Like' Eagles QB?
None of what Jalen Hurts is accomplishing as the young leader of the Philadelphia Eagles happens without talent. The quarterback didn't "come from nowhere'' to suddenly be ranked in the Top 100 players by his NFL peers and his Super Bowl effort last season was so start-to-finish outstanding that this is no fluke.
But there is something else going on with the superstar quarterback, who turned 25 this week. And former NFL standout defensive back Ryan Clark just pinpointed it as he revealed his flattering opinion about Hurts in a segment on ESPN's "Get Up.''
Despite that Super Bowl loss, there have not been higher expectations for the Eagles as they are this season in a very long time. Hurts is expected to be a top-notch MVP candidate and is expected to take yet another step in his all-around development. The sky is truly the limit for the superstar quarterback.
“I think we have to start comparing Jalen Hurts’ work ethic to some of those maniacal workers that we’ll see in the Hall of Fame soon,'' Clark said. "Guys like Drew Brees, guys like Tom Brady.”
Those comparisons are especially notable to us for a reason that makes them much different about Hurts' mentioning that he works to borrow from NBA legends like Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant.
"Every time you go into an offseason, for me at least, I look at guys like MJ and Kobe and how they diagnose their game," Hurts said. "Obviously two different sports, but trying to get better at my strengths and then turning my weaknesses into my strengths."
Insightful stuff, no doubt. But Jordan and Bryant - workaholics to be sure - were also touted coming into the NBA for their brilliant athleticism. And that's what makes the Brady and Brees comps also compelling.
Neither of them was a first-round NFL draft pick. Brees was "too short'' (and like Hurts a second-round pick) and Brady (a sixth-rounder) wasn't highly-regarded at all.
And so Jalen Hurts emulating Jordan and Bryant? Fine idea, with the 2022 production - 3,701 passing yards with 22 touchdowns, and 760 rushing yards and 13 more touchdowns - to back it up.
But Jalen Hurts being compared to Brady and Brees? In a different but also important sort of way, that is a flattering fit as well.
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