In 2002, the Eagles invested two of their first three draft picks on cornerbacks who started together for five seasons. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie mentioned that draft on the second night of the draft this year, when the Eagles used their second- and third-round picks on cornerbacks.
Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas aren't necessarily expected to turn into a version of the Lito Sheppard-Sheldon Brown combination, but the Eagles would be fortunate if the 2017 draft is remembered similarly to the one 15 years earlier.
And when Jones and Douglas were together at rookie camp last week, they fostered a relationship that the Eagles hope will help solve the franchise's revolving door at cornerback.
"Me and him have been close in this short amount of time, getting to know each other," Jones said. "That's going to be my guy for the next four years and more."
It won't be apparent early in their careers _ Jones is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that could sideline for him for the 2017 season _ but patience was needed for Sheppard and Brown, too.
Douglas has a chance to be an early starter if he stands out on an undistinguished depth chart this summer. Jones demonstrated the talent at Washington to be a Day 1 NFL starter before his injury, and he could still be a longtime starter for the Eagles if he fully recovers.
A rangy 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Douglas is a big, physical cornerback who could match up against similar receivers. Jones, who is 6 feet and 186 pounds, is leaner but smoother than Douglas. He ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, which was .12 seconds faster than Douglas' time. They both demonstrated impressive instincts and ball skills in college.
"They have complementary skill sets, too, and when you talk about the receivers in our division, in our conference, the guys who can cover the quicker-twitch receivers and the guys who can take the big strong receivers that we face, we're excited about adding them," Eagles executive Howie Roseman said.
Jones is 20 and Douglas is 21, so they both have room to grow _ and a desire to get better. That was apparent in their post-practice conversation on Friday. They've moved past the getting-to-know-you pleasantries, choosing instead to discuss cornerback techniques.
"I was asking him what he saw on the sideline from me, how was I on top of the routes and stuff," Douglas said. "He was telling me what he's seen. We'll watch film together and I'll catch him up to the tips Coach gave us during practice while he was doing rehab."
Their friendship started at the combine in early March. During cornerback drills, Jones would give pointers. They would ask each other how they were doing at backpedaling.
One week later, Jones collapsed while backpedaling at his pro day. The injury cost him millions in contract earnings and dropped him down a round in the draft. Douglas heard the news and sympathized. When Douglas saw Jones in Philadelphia, he shared how sad he felt for him.
"He was supposed to be the No. 1 corner and then he fell to the second round," Douglas said. "I knew he was a first-round draft pick. He's a great kid."
The Eagles have tried too long to find a steady cornerback combination. The last time they went three consecutive seasons with the same two primary starters at the position was Sheppard and Brown in 2007. Since then, they have cycled through Asante Samuel, Dmitri Patterson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher, Byron Maxwell, Nolan Carroll, and Leodis McKelvin. Some had more success and lasted longer. Others kept their jobs by default. But the Eagles have tried free agency and trades looking to plug the position, and they finally invested two early-round picks this year.
If Jones and Douglas fulfill their potential, the Eagles won't need to think about doing it again for another few years.
