Julio Jones,Byron Maxwell
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a touchdown catch against Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Byron Maxwell (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
(Brynn Anderson)
PHILADELPHIA -- Byron Maxwell's career with the Eagles is off to an inauspicious start.
The high-priced cornerback inked to a $60 million contract over the offseason has allowed 15 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys.
Maxwell isn't in the midst of the Seattle Seahawks' secondary anymore. Giving up as many big plays and touchdowns as Maxwell has through two games has ignited the internet, talk radio and the outrage of fans and former players alike.
However, Maxwell says that he's doing his best to block out the noise as preparations for Week 3 against the Jets get underway Tuesday.
"It's one of them things," Maxwell said following Tuesday's practice at the NovaCare Complex. "Obviously I didn't experience it before. My mind was getting ready because I know I'm the new guy coming in with a big contract, when you're a free agent giving up touchdowns they're going to be on you.
"I've gotta take it. I've gotta realize that that's not my teammates. That's not the guys that matter. I've gotta do my job, obviously. I can't get hung up on that. That'll drive you crazy if you do."
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Despite Maxwell's early struggles, Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis says he sees improvement already from the high-priced cornerback.
"Consistency," Davis said was Maxwell's biggest area of improvement from Week 1 to Week 1. "And that's what we all have to do. It's easy to play one good down of great technique but when you can go 80 plays and holding that alignment, the technique, those things are really what the great defenses do.
"And the closer we can get to 11 men for 80 plays playing, focused-in, technique-sound, alignment, eyes, keys football; and I think there's where he took -- I know that's where he took the biggest step.
"So we'll grow him in this scheme. He's still got to understand all the checks and I think he does and he'll continue to get better, I really believe that."
As for what can quiet the critics both of Maxwell and his teammates who started the season 0-2, the veteran cornerback who won a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahwks says it all comes down to winning.
"My thing is, we have to weather the storm," Maxwell said. "It's tough times right now but we just have to keep working hard. We've all been through this before. This is the NFL. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Just keep working hard. When you look up, maybe you have a winning record or you feel good about where you're at."
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find NJ.com Philadelphia Sports on Facebook