Eagles' Reed Blankenship Humble Despite Rise: 'A Lot to Prove'
PHILADELPHIA – Reed Blankenship was in a much different situation at this time last summer.
The Philadelphia Eagles safety was preparing for his first preseason game not knowing what to expect. As an undrafted free agent, all he knew was the climb to make the roster would be steep.
Now, he’s entrenched as one of the starters after the Eagles lost their two starters from last year – Marcus Epps and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
His mindset hasn’t changed, though.
“You still have to keep that mentality,” he said following Thursday’s practice as the team went through final preparations before heading to Baltimore to play the Ravens Saturday night. “I still keep a chip on my shoulder. I’ve got a lot to prove. I enjoy playing this game and I want to play it as long as I can.
“I’m going to keep saying it’s football. I’ve been playing it for years. I’m going to come out here and do what I want to do. You can’t take that for granted.”
When the pads came on last year, Blankenship showed up. He played 35 defensive snaps (55 percent) in the preseason opener against the New York Jets, previewing what he could become when he recorded a team-high seven tackles.
While the Eagles have rotated safeties in and out throughout this summer’s training camp, Blankenship has been the only one to take all his reps with the first team, a sure sign the team is counting on him to start and play well.
The rest of the unit is mix and match right now and may remain that way once the season begins. Not Blankenship. He’ll play every snap if he can, and until the outcome of a game is still in doubt, or he stumbles in his new role.
If linebacker Nakobe Dean shows any slippage or is pushed out of a job by one of the newcomers in Myles Jack or Zach Cunningham, the green-dot helmet with the communication device inside and the direct line to defensive coordinator Sean Desai could be handed to Blankenship.
“I see Reed growing each and every day,” said cornerback James Bradberry. “I think he’ll have a bigger role this year, of course, because we lost some safeties. He’s picking up the defense and, also, he’s really learning how offenses work in the league, so I think he’s going to think a lot faster.”
Blankenship has one of the rare interceptions that Jalen Hurts has thrown this summer. No surprise, really, because Blankenship’s first meaningful defensive snaps last year came against the Green Bay Packers and he intercepted Aaron Rodgers in that game while finishing with a game-high six tackles.
The pick of Rodgers was significant in that he became the first UDFA to ever intercept the first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback.
“It’s a big confidence (boost) regardless of who the quarterback is, just having an interception in general,” said Blankenship. “You’re out there to play. You’re supposed to make those plays but as a player it calms you down a little bit more. You’re mellowed out and you’re just playing the game at your speed now.”
Blankenship also has the distinction of being just the third UDFA to start a playoff game, joining safety Tre Sullivan (2018) and running back Reno Mahe (2003), and he was one of three undrafted free agents to make last year’s final roster.
Cornerback Josh Jobe, who is getting second-team reps behind Bradberry, and offensive lineman Josh Sills, who recently returned to the team after being acquitted of rape and kidnapping charges, were the other two.
Now with a job secured, Blankenship can mentor this year’s crop of undrafted free agents, and he had some advice for them regarding Saturday’s preseason opener.
“Have fun,” he said. F“ootball doesn’t change. It’s a violent sport and when the pads come on, just go have fun.”
Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.
Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.
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