Rookie linebacker Hicks steps up well into big role

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. While his play suggested otherwise, Eagles rookie inside linebacker Jordan Hicks admitted to a serious case of butterflies before making his first NFL start.

The nervousness didn’t last long as Hicks had a team-high 10 tackles, along with a fumble recovery and an interception during Sunday’s 24-17 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

“I was definitely nervous before the game,” Hicks said. “All of that goes away as soon as the first snap happens and it is time to go.”

Hicks’ performance was a continuation of his play last week when he had seven tackles in a reserve role during the Eagles’ 20-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Fellow linebackers Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) were both hurt in the first half against Dallas and never returned. Neither was active on Sunday.

So Hicks got his chance and made an impression on his veteran teammates.

“Jordan did a great job of understanding the game plan, controlling traffic, making calls, getting guys lined up,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “Even when we got a few sticky situations he settled it with confidence and authority.”

Hicks credited veteran inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans for aiding his development.

“He is a vet, the one who keeps everybody calm, keeps everybody loose out there,” Hicks said. “He is who I want to play next to, absolutely.”

The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Hicks recorded 147 tackles last season for the University of Texas. Despite having Kendricks and Ryans and acquiring Alonso, the Eagles drafted Hicks in the third round.

“We talked about him being a third-down linebacker and I think you’re seeing that he’s got great coverage skills, and there’s a calmness to Jordan,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. “He’s got a real good awareness out there, so I don’t think anything is too big for him.”

With 4 minutes and 38 seconds left in the first half and the Eagles leading 17-0, Hicks made a key fumble recovery that came from simply being alert. Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 15-yard pass to Brandon Marshall, who despite being in traffic, attempted to lateral the ball to teammate Jeff Cumberland.

“Wrong time to gamble,” Marshall said.

It sure was.

His lateral hit Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin in the helmet and Hicks scooped it up and returned it 11 yards to the Jets 36. It set up the Eagles’ final touchdown, a Darren Sproles 1-yard run.

“I was surprised 1/8at the lateral3/8 but if you finish a play and run to the ball every time you never know what will happen,” Hicks said.

In the fourth quarter with the Eagles leading 24-14, Hicks intercepted a Fitzpatrick pass that was tipped by Eagles defensive end Brandon Bair. Hicks leaped in front of teammate Brandon Graham to make the interception.

In addition to his other statistics, Hicks also had one pass defensed.

“He did exactly what he was supposed to do,” Barwin said of Hicks. “He stepped up, played great, made the plays when he had to make them and was around the ball all day.”

That pretty much sums it up for Hicks, who shook off any hint of nervousness to play like the veterans he was replacing.

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