Eagles Rookie is Earning More Playing Time

Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis said rookie defensive back Eric Rowe earned more playing time with his performance Week 3 against the Jets.

Getting his first career playing time on defense, Rowe impressed with a pass breakup and his first career interception in limited snaps against the Jets, but only got playing time due to Chris Maragos leaving the game with an injury.

"A little bit happened because of the situation because we were trying to stay in our dime package and Chris was not on the field," Davis admitted.

Rowe had been a disappointment the first two weeks of the season, he didn't get on the field for one play in either game on defense.  However, when Maragos left the game with an injury the team has to call on the rookie and he responded.

"It was what we needed to see from Eric: under fire, under fire on a regular Sunday, he rises up and makes the plays that he's asked to," Davis said.  "He did that. So we'll still grow him; there's still a learning curve."

Marago's absence gave Rowe the chance to show the promise that made the Eagles move up in the second round to draft him. A versatile defensive back who started at free safety for his first three seasons at Utah before moving to corner as a senior in 2014, the Eagles saw a big physical player with play-making ability.

However, he was buried on Philadelphia's cornerback depth chart for most of training camp, sitting behind starters Nolan Carroll, Byron Maxwell and Maragos. But Rowe played well enough when he got thrown into the fire, for Davis to admit that he deserves more playing time.

"Eric Rowe will get increased opportunities," Davis stated.

Rowe along with fellow rookie Jordan Hicks each had their first-career interceptions in the game and Hicks also recovered a fumble in his first-career start.  In the last two games, Hicks has a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

"Jordan Hicks and Eric both played nice games," Davis explained.  " We know there will be some stumbles along the way as we grow them, but he (Rowe) will get more opportunities."