Eagles DE Robert Quinn hopes to finally meet expectations come playoff time
When the Eagles traded a fourth-round pick for pass rusher Robert Quinn in November, fan expectations were pretty high.
Philly already had one of the best pass rushing fronts in the league. Throwing in a guy who was one year removed from an 18.5-sack campaign seemed almost unfair in the moment.
Fast forward to Week 18, Quinn has done little to nothing as a member of the Eagles defensive front. Jonathan Gannon’s group leads the league in sacks with 68 – 16 more than the next closest team. Quinn hasn’t contributed to that at all, recording just two tackles and two QB hits in the five games he’s appeared in with the Eagles.
For all intents and purposes, Quinn has been a non-factor since coming to Philadelphia. But now that he’s fully healthy and on the verge of playing in just his third playoff game, Quinn is looking to leave his mark.
“They brought me over here for a reason,” Quinn told reporters on Thursday. “Hopefully I can do what they expected me to do when they brought me here. But we’ll see come game time.”
Quinn was placed on IR December 6. With his 21-day practice window being activated this week, he’s on track to play against the Giants in the regular season finale this upcoming Sunday.
Robert Quinn back on the Eagles practice field this week
“The numbers weren’t there but I felt like I was doing alright,” Quinn continued. “But that’s in the past. Hopefully come Sunday, I can get back on track.”
After a lackluster start to his Eagles tenure, expectations won’t be super high for Quinn when he returns to the field. I’d imagine most fans forgot he was even on the team while he was on IR. But with the uncertainty surrounding Josh Sweat moving forward, Quinn will likely be relied upon to provide some juice off the edge.
Despite being in the league for almost 12 years now and playing with a handful of different teams, Quinn has only suited up for two playoff games in his career. He’s never won a playoff game in his career. Hopefully, this time around is different. Not only for Quinn’s sake, but for the sake of Eagles fans everywhere.
“I’ll tell you about it when we get to the postseason, when all that happens,” Quinn said. “I don’t want to look too far ahead. … Hopefully, I have a better story for you in a few weeks from now.”
Listen to the most recent episode of Grease the Poles
Eagles vs. Giants Game Preview, NFL Ponders Alternatives for Playoff Seeding – Grease the Poles
Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports
