Plagued by injuries and a Super Bowl hangover, the Philadelphia Eagles are considering calling in some backup — and he comes in the form of an unbelievably massive human being.
According to insiders close to the Philly franchise, head coach Doug Pederson is toying with the idea of calling up a former Australian rugby player named Jordan Mailata. (RELATED: Minnesota’s Newest Starting Right Tackle Is An Absolute Unit)
Standing at 6’8″ and 350 lbs, Mailata earned the nickname “The Refrigerator” during his rugby career. He’s being trained by the Eagles to possibly use him as a running back in the future, which seems kind of ridiculous by NFL standards. But when you watch his rugby tapes you may understand why:
Obviously, the guy’s an absolute unit but he’s shockingly fast and agile, too.
Asked whether the Birds were considering calling him up Wednesday, Pederson answered, “That’s a good question. I don’t know. He’s definitely used to carrying a larger football. Do they call it a football? I don’t know what they call it. A ball? Very athletic guy. It’s intriguing. It’s not out of the question.”
Not out of the question!!
The Linc – Jordan Mailata continues to make positive progress https://t.co/lqhAnEho5B pic.twitter.com/9dpV2kybM1
— Eagles News (@eaglesnewsfeed) November 4, 2018
This GUY! Not out of the question!
Doug Pederson was asked if he would consider using former rugby star, and now developing OT Jordan Mailata as a power back option in short yardage situations.
His answer: “It’s not out of the question.”
Mailata is 6”8, 350 LBS.
Should the Eagles unleash the beast? pic.twitter.com/AA47z1ysCY
— Eagles Nation (4-4) (@PHLEaglesNation) November 7, 2018
ＲＥＰＬＡＹ
Jordan Mailata produced this barnstorming try in the U20s.https://t.co/OrTJsRkzdx#GoRabbitohs pic.twitter.com/E1P26MygcT
— South Sydney Rabbitohs ???? (@SSFCRABBITOHS) July 10, 2017
And with star running back Jay Ajayi out with a torn ACL, the Eagles may need Mailata now more than ever. He’s still got a ways to go, and NBC Philadelphia points out that getting him actual minutes on the field is a long shot, but it’s not being ruled out.
Doug Pederson may be one of the gutsiest, most open-minded coaches in the NFL. He sees dynamite in players that more conventional coaches would normally cast aside. Take a look at Nick Foles, who almost retired before the 2017 NFL season. Pederson somehow convinced him to stay, got him to the Super Bowl, and he somehow managed to to be named Super Bowl LII MVP.
Super Bowl LIII is so close I can taste it.