Eagles' A.J. Brown discusses frustrations amid 'diva' talk
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown admitted on Wednesday what most assumed regarding his actions during this past Saturday's 38-7 win over the New York Giants.
"They throw the ball to me 100 times, I'm going to want it 101 times," Brown told reporters, per Tim McManus of ESPN. "Me personally, I just feel like I can change the game at any moment. Getting the ball often keeps you going, keeps you in a rhythm. It definitely puts you in a zone; you're locked in. Of course, I want the ball."
The Eagles held a commanding 31-7 lead late in the playoff contest when television cameras showed Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni speaking with a seemingly frustrated Brown. Brown caught just three of six targets for 22 yards and no touchdowns in the blowout but received praise for his blocking on Philadelphia's second score of what became a laugher:
"I'm never the receiver to go on the sideline or try to cause problems on the sideline. I'm not that guy," Brown added during his comments. "I think that's what you could describe as a diva, but I'm not that person. I'm a guy who goes up and talks to the quarterback and talks to the [offensive coordinator] and do it that way. I'm not a guy that's going to cause commotion on the sideline. That's not who I am. I'll never be that guy."
As noted by ESPN, Brown finished the regular season first among Philadelphia players with 145 targets, 1,496 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches. He was second behind DeVonta Smith (95) with 88 total receptions.
McManus pointed out that Brown was dealing with "what is believed to be an injury to the upper leg/hip area" against the Giants. According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, the 25-year-old wasn't mentioned on the team's injury report and will be "good to go" for this Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the San Francisco 49ers held at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
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