Kevin Byard’s influence helped A.J. Brown shape himself into Eagles leader

PHILADELPHIA — A.J. Brown swears he does not have an influence on his former Tennessee Titans teammates turning into Philadelphia Eagles. 

First Zach Cunningham, then Julio Jones and now Kevin Byard. All in a span of 3 months. 

In Brown’s phrases, “maybe just a little bit.” 

Byard is the most recent former Titans participant to move to Philadelphia, because the Eagles obtained him in a industry to strengthen a security place that wanted important lend a hand. The former Titans captain used to be a workforce leader in Brown’s first 12 months, a participant Brown appeared as much as whilst he used to be figuring that out within the NFL. 

There’s a explanation why Brown gave the Eagles the seal of approval to herald Byard. 

“Oh he was excited,” Byard stated when requested about Brown. “We kinda were just celebrating a little bit. Obviously, I’ve known him since he got drafted to Tennessee. He knows what I can do as a football player. He knows what I can bring to this team, so we both were kind of just basking into the moment — just kind of excited I’m gonna be a Philadelphia Eagle.”

Brown reiterated Byard’s phrases, discovering it exhausting to comprise his pleasure when he knew they have been going to be teammates once more. 

“I was really excited,” Brown stated. “He’s a great leader, from the time I spent with him. He’s a great person, great human.”

The explanation why Brown is an Eagles captain is from Byard’s influence when the pair have been in combination in Tennessee. As Brown used to be heading into his 2nd 12 months, Byard — a workforce captain at the Titans — challenged Brown to be a leader himself. 

“A.J. was already who he was,” Byard stated. “I used to tell him on days when the offense was starting off slow, even though he was still a young player, I would say to him ‘Hey, you the dawg on the offense. You’re the guy who can get guys going. You got the juice.'”

Brown used to be coming off a rookie season which he completed with 1,051 yards and 20.2 yards consistent with catch, already the most productive participant on an offense that had Derrick Henry coming off a 1,500-yard season. 

The offense wanted a leader. Byard is aware of Brown used to be the appropriate guy for the task. 

“I was just trying to open him up,” Byard stated. “He’s coming from not just being a first-year to second-year player to the leader of the offense. Just keep doing the things you’re doing, but start being a little more vocal. Guys will respect you and listen to you. 

“That used to be a little bit recreation I used to be seeking to give him when he used to be a more youthful participant.” 

Three years later, Brown is one of the most respected players in the NFL. He’s additionally a workforce captain at the Eagles, wearing over classes discovered from Byard in Tennessee. 

Now Brown will get to go back the desire to a participant he nonetheless appears to be like as much as. Someone he calls a excellent buddy. 

“You’re a winner now,” Brown informed Byard on his arrival to Philadelphia. “Be prepared, things are a little different around here. 

“But he is an excellent participant and he will haven’t any hassle adapting. It’s him.”