By Tucker Bagley, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Not since Terrell Owens has a wide receiver entered Philadelphia with as much fanfare as Alshon Jeffery did earlier this month.
After forcing Carson Wentz to deal with an inept receiving corps during his rookie season, Jeffery represents an elite weapon on the outside that Wentz can rely on throughout the game. But what exactly does Jeffery bring to the table?
The former Chicago Bear said in his introductory press conference he likes to jump over defensive backs to make spectacular catches, but he is a much more complete player than other jump-ball players, like Clemson's Mike Williams. In addition to making tough, contested catches, Jeffery knows how to get open all over the field, and that was never more apparent than when the Eagles and Bears faced off on Monday Night Football last season.
Jeffery caught five passes for 95 yards, including this 49-yard bomb:
It's just a simple stop-and-go route, but Jeffery runs it with such conviction, he leaves Jalen Mills in the dust. Then he's able to adjust back to an underthrown pass and make the catch despite two defenders clawing at him. Granted, Mills wasn't exactly a decent defensive back early last season, but Jeffrey's ability to get him off-balance then blow by him is still very impressive.
By no means is Jeffery a burner like Torrey Smith or DeSean Jackson, but he can open down the field because of his ability to run so many different routes. Defenders simply can't sit on their heels, or else they will get beat underneath like Nolan Carroll did:
Carroll stays on top of Jeffrey, but the wide receiver cuts to the inside in order to catch the ball and pick up the first down. It's possible the Eagles' linebackers were at fault for biting so hard on the play action and leaving the middle of the field so wide open, but credit Jeffery for finding space down the field and getting open for his quarterback.
Having a player who is smart enough to find space is a luxury Wentz didn't have a season ago. Too many times the rookie was hung out to dry as he eluded pressure only to look up and find all of his receivers blanketed and not working back toward the ball. Hopefully with a pair of veterans on the field in Jeffery and Smith, Wentz won't find his wondrous athletic plays unrewarded.
However, even when defenders come up and try to get physical with Jeffery, he has enough strength to fight through it, like he did on this short catch:
In Doug Pederson's quick-hitting offense, Jeffrey's ability to get off the line and use his body to box-out defenders will play a huge role in the success of the team.
Comparing Jeffery to Owens is really unfair. Despite Jeffery's pedigree and success in the NFL, he simply doesn't match up well with one of the greatest receivers in the history of the NFL. However, Jeffery may be the most complete receiver the Eagles have had since Owens in 2004 and 2005.
If he's able to mesh well with Wentz and Pederson, things could turn around in a hurry for this offense.
