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NFL

Eagles OLB Barwin: Byron Maxwell has been as good as advertised

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
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Jun 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Byron Maxwell (31) stretches with the team during minicamp at The NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

When the Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent cornerback Byron Maxwell this offseason, Chip Kelly finally got his hands on what he considered to be the prototypical fit for the Eagles' defensive scheme.

At 6-foot-1, Maxwell fits the size profile and he can play a physical brand of coverage. Some observers wondered if Maxwell would be the same player after leaving the Seahawks' "Legion of Boom secondary."

According to Eagles outside linebacker Connor Barwin, Maxwell is exactly what the Eagles expected him to be.

"Maxwell's been as good as expected" Barwin said, per ESPN.com's Ashley Fox. "You can tell he was on a Super Bowl team team and played with a very, very good group over there."

Earlier this offseason, Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews called Maxwell the toughest cornerback he matched up with during the 2014 season. Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis has plans to mix in coverages that move Maxwell around to shadow the opponent's No. 1 wide receiver.

If the Eagles want to take a step forward on defense, Maxwell's production will be a key factor. Maxwell allowed 63.4 percent of passes he was targeted on to be completed in 2014--a number much greater than that from any of the top cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus' grades. He needs to improve on those numbers in 2015.

(h/t ESPN