Josh Huff
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 23: Josh Huff #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown with teammates Jeremy Maclin #18 and Riley Cooper #14 in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field on November 23, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
(Rich Schultz)
PHILADELPHIA — Dating back to Eagles rookie wide receiver Josh Huff's first game at the University of Oregon, head coach Chip Kelly would ask him if he was scared in the final moments before the game.
Huff's answer was always the same 'No, I'm not scared,'
Kelly didn't ask Huff that question Sunday prior to the Eagles' 43-24 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans. As it turns out, he didn't have to.
After the game's first 17 seconds and a franchise-record 107-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Huff proved his head coach that right about now might be a good time to stop asking his customary question.
"That was one of his messages when I got to the sideline," Huff said after the game. "He forgot to ask me 'was I scared?' He told me 'obviously you weren't scared. Now that you know you can make that play, you can continue to do it.' Now I just have to continue to get better as the season goes along."
It was a bit puzzling that after the opening return went so well that Huff did not get another chance the rest of the game to serve in the returners role. Eagles running back Chris Polk resumed his kickoff return duties for the remainder of the game.
"Depending on what returns we were running, just depending on what [special teams coordinator Dave] Fipp was calling," Kelly explained. One guy was running one return, one guy was running the other return.
"I think he's got great speed and then also he's got some size to him so when he does -- the kicker got a shot at him and he threw a stiff arm on him, and then the safety came over. He's got a physical nature to him. He's good with the ball in his hands."
After what turned into a tumultuous week for Huff, having to answer his critics for post-game comments he made about the coaching staff after missing a tackle on special teams against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday's game brought a bit of vindication.
"I was really determined," Huff said. "This season hasn't gone the way I planned but it's a long season. I just have to continue to fight through those adverse situations. I have to put my faith in my teammates. They have faith in me. I just have to go out and perform for those guys.
"I think it definitely boosts confidence just to know I can make those plays on this level, even if I mess up, my teammates still have faith in me. I continue to look forward to getting better with those guys."
The mission for the Eagles coaching staff ever since training camp was to find ways to get Huff the ball in space. Despite dropped passes, costly fumbles and other mistakes that have hampered his production as a rookie, Huff said that Sunday is just a preview of what could be to come for him.
"Most definitely," Huff said. "That's what I can do. That's a quick glimpse of what I can do in space. I just have to continue to keep getting better each and every week. Hopefully I'm able to make those plays more often, soon."
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