Why the Eagles' Week 1 matchup will have some added drama
The Philadelphia Eagles are scheduled to kick off the 2023 season on September 10 against the New England Patriots in Foxborough. Philadelphia and New England don't play each other often due to being in separate conferences, but the matchup between the two teams in the season opener could still have a rivalry feel. That's mostly […]
The Philadelphia Eagles are scheduled to kick off the 2023 season on September 10 against the New England Patriots in Foxborough.
Philadelphia and New England don't play each other often due to being in separate conferences, but the matchup between the two teams in the season opener could still have a rivalry feel.
That's mostly because Eagles cornerback James Bradberry will likely be lining up across from Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at some point. And those two players have some history.
In case you somehow forgot — or maybe you erased it from your memory if you're an Eagles fan — Bradberry was called for a holding penalty against Smith-Schuster (then with the Kansas City Chiefs) in Super Bowl LVII that gave Kansas City a chance to run out the clock and kick the game-winning field goal.
On Valentine's Day (a couple of days after Super Bowl LVII), Smith-Schuster tweeted a photo of a Valentine's Day card with Bradberry's face that said "I'll hold you when it matters most".
It was a clever tweet from Smith-Schuster, though Bradberry didn't necessarily see the humor in it.
On Wednesday, Bradberry was asked by reporters about the tweet. The former Pro Bowler said he'll see how he feels when Week One comes around while adding that he hasn't thought much about the tweet this offseason.
Bradberry might be suggesting that the tweet didn't bother him, but his body language told a different story on Wednesday.
That looks like a man who has no interest in throwing shots back and forth via the media. Instead, he looks like someone who wants to let his play on the field do the talking.
Smith-Schuster better go ahead and start getting ready. Bradberry is going to make it his mission to shut down the former USC standout in Week 1.
