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September 14, 2017

Eagles notes: Lane Johnson looks for better outcome vs. Justin Houston than when he was a rookie

In the Philadelphia Eagles loss to the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2013, Chiefs edge rusher Justin Houston wrecked the game. On the night, Houston had 7 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 3 batted passes, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 5 total hits on the quarterback. 

It was something of a "Welcome to the NFL" moment for Lane Johnson, a rookie at the time who took the brunt of Houston's abuse. A quick sampling:

Johnson acknowledged that Houston got the best of him that day.

"I think it made me a better player," he said. "I know it made me a better player. You go and watch the tape from my rookie year to where I am now, it's not the same person."

Houston still plays LOLB, which means that he'll once again primarily be going up against Johnson.


MORE ON THE EAGLES: Week 2 NFL picks | Brandon Brooks: Season-opening win was great, but ... | Pederson: Jason Peters is 'fine,' will practice today, play Sunday Eagles vs. Chiefs: Five matchups to watch | Eagles DC Jim Schwartz denies any plans to usurp Doug Pederson's power


"I'm a better player than I was my rookie year, so that'll be a good matchup," Johnson said.

***

In our first look at newly signed rookie kicker Jake Elliott at practice yesterday, Elliott attempted seven field goals in succession with Doug Pederson lingering behind him.

The results:

Distance Good? 
 33Good 
 36Good 
 39Good 
 42Good 
 45Good 
 49Good 
 52Good 


That would be 7/7. #Analysis.

Elliott was on the Bengals' practice squad when the Eagles poached him, a rarity for a kicker. Because he was on the Bengals' practice squad, the Eagles did not have the luxury of giving him a tryout before they signed him to their active 53-man roster.

***

On Wednesday, a reporter challenged Fletcher Cox, saying he didn't do much of a dance after his scoop and score TD against the Redskins Week 1. Cox was asked if he regretted not making more of his opportunity.

Cox: "I did do a dance."

Reporter: "You did like a little strut. Do you have something (better) planned? Do you have something else?"

Cox: "You don't know how to dance. You don't know how Michael Jackson dances."

Apparently, Cox was doing the Thriller dance.


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