Defensive end Jevon Kearse had a huge season as a rookie in 1999. To a certain extent, he’s been living off the fumes of that four-month period from nine years ago ever since.
Injuries plagued the rest of his tenure in Tennessee, and the Titans allowed him to walk away to Philly as a free agent in 2003.
After being released by the Eagles earlier this year, Kearse is back in Tennessee. And he’s already made headlines by being arrested for DUI.
So how has he followed it up? By claiming that the Eagles will regret cutting him loose.
Kearse recently told Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com that he’ll play so well in 2008 that Philly fans will scratch their heads about the decision that was made.
“They’ll say, ‘Why the hell did we let that dude go?’ ” Kearse said. “‘What were they thinking?’”
Here’s what they were thinking, Jevon: “This guy is riding on the hype of his rookie season, and he’s no longer worth the money that we pay him.”
Says Kearse, ”Maybe it was a good reason: So I can get [pissed] off and get more motivated.”
If Kearse gets “more motivated” and plays well in Tennessee, that’s fine. The reality is that he wasn’t “more motivated” and wasn’t playing well in Philly.
So maybe he needed a kick in the butt. If so, it’s a shame; these guys are supposed to be professionals, and true professionals don’t need external events to make them “more motivated.” They already are.
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Van Stuard, a Cheerleader, on 7/3/08 at 8:34 am
As a long time Philly fan, I have often grumbled about the front office moves. It’s what we do. Invariably, the decisions pan out. Almost every time. They weren’t wrong about Michelin Man Corey Simon, and they aren’t wrong about the Former Freak, either.
Keep rackin’ up DUI’s, Jevon, that’ll show us.
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Rating: 4.85 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
EagleFan20, a Cheerleader, on 7/3/08 at 8:37 am
As a long time Eagles fan and season ticket holder - I was over-joyed that day in March 2004 when he signed. However he showed very litte of what he could do during the time period he was here. To have him now say that he will be motivated to prove us wrong now is a crock of shit. We showed him nothing but love and money for 3 years, and he gave us very little back.
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Rating: 4.45 / 5 with 7 rating(s)
PhillyMike, a Passionate Fan, on 7/3/08 at 8:37 am
I fully agree with this story. He is a product of an outstanding rookie season and he has been riding that reputation ever since. While he was in Philly he was never overpowering. He had a few average seasons at best and that doesn’t justify the money he was making. If he wants to get “pissed” and play well in a Titans uniform, than good for him. He should have done it when the Eagles FO gave him all of that money, but who am I to judge?….
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Rating: 4.8 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
thestan, a Passionate Fan, on 7/3/08 at 8:44 am
Kearse was a complete disappointment in Philly - almost every play I feared that he was going to carried off on a stretcher - I swore up and down that Kearse would have at least a handful of TD’s in his time here - fumble recovery/Int - something - but no. Not even a huge hit to remember him by. My memory of him consists of holding my breath while he laid on the turf for a few minutes, only to come back and not make plays - what a shame - for what he could be - he has not amounted to much. I think he had one good game in Philly - MIN monday night game of ‘04 - other than that - he was stealing
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Rating: 4.75 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
samh, a Division Champ, on 7/3/08 at 8:45 am
Um, Kearse had 22.5 combined sacks while playing in 32 games in his 2nd & 3rd year too. I’d never thought of him as a one-year-wonder.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
MidnightGreenOmen555, a Water Boy, on 7/3/08 at 8:46 am
Jevon Kearse is and always will be a turd. No matter how hard he tries he will remain a scrub. You hit the nail on the head, this guy has been living off past success for far too long. Every year that he was in Philadelphia he would not produce and right before training camp the next season he’d come out and say “you’re going to see a new Jevon Kearse this season!” Or something to that extent. I just see this as another promise that will go unfulfilled by kearse in 2008.
My Prediction for Jevon’s 2008 campaign will be very similar to each season he had as an eagle…The first two games he will show flashes of what he used to be when he was a rookie. People will then prematurely think he is getting better. Then after those two or perhaps three games at the most he will quickly fade back to the turd that we all know he is, by getting injured or by just being lazy.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
130 POUND KEARSE, a Cheerleader, on 7/3/08 at 9:11 am
When he came into camp last year at 210 lbs., he showed how dedicated he was to playing football. Greg Lewis was bigger than him. When I saw his picture in the paper, I though the Eagles re-signed Todd Pinkston. He lines up 3 yards from the sidelines, and runs at an angle toward the quarterback, 3o yards into the backfield. He may have a great year….if the quarterbacks of the opposition take 28 step drops. He should STFU until he does something.
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Rating: 4.8 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
x5uperFIVEx, a Passionate Fan, on 7/3/08 at 9:19 am
Yeah, get “pissed”, Jevon.
Too bad we had to cut your underperforming ass to get you “pissed”.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
bwnyc, a Division Champ, on 7/3/08 at 9:21 am
There’s no way he’d continue to get hype if he were at another position. Washed-up corners don’t make it more than a year or so without getting cut, quarterbacks are relegated to 3rd string duties, linebackers are written farewell letters. Running backs like Dom Davis are one year a star, two years later out of the league. But defensive end is such a premium that there will always be fans (and teams) hoping that this year he’ll regain his form.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
bwnyc, a Division Champ, on 7/3/08 at 9:24 am
The only use the Eagles ever got out of Kearse was arguably two games. ‘04 vs Minny (the year Culpepper was good), and the ‘04 NFC Championship game where he shut down Michael Vick playing a “joker” position.
Tennessee was smart to let him go, and i’m not sure what they’re thinking will come of them bringing him back.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
Pea Tear Griffin, a Hall of Famer, on 7/3/08 at 9:25 am
Good article Florio. I think you hit the nail right on the head with this one. He has no reason to complain about getting cut. He never played a full season, and he never played up to potential. (Why do you think the Eagles were always drafting D-line early)
Da Freak, more like defunct.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
JohnnyH, a Division Champ, on 7/3/08 at 9:30 am
He’s going to get hurt again this year.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
DAWKPHAN, a Head Coach, on 7/3/08 at 9:34 am
I have to agree with everyone on Kearse and his tenure with the EAGLES, I was excited when he came but it never came together for him with this team . The only thing that you could count on was Kearse limping off the field at least once a game with a grimace on his face.
I really wanted him to work out as I think all Eagles fans did but now, for him to act like we dissed him that pisses me off because we backed him and HE let US down not the other way around.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Pea Tear Griffin, a Hall of Famer, on 7/3/08 at 9:49 am
@bwnyc
Couldn’t agree more. There are so many examples of QB’s, RB’s, WR’s, DB’s, etc etc that have one good year and then are out of the league. But if a DE has a great season, he’s regarded highly for years and years to come. Julius Peppers anyone? KGB (to a certain extent), Whoever the Redskins play at DE . . . the list goes on and on.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Wrathchild, a Conference Champ, on 7/3/08 at 9:55 am
The guy also can’t stay healthy. He was a very viable option at DE with the Titans and the Eagles, but injuries just kept him off the field or unable to perform at any kind of productive level.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
empty13, a Hall of Famer, on 7/3/08 at 9:56 am
definitely not a “high revving motor” kind of guy.
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Rating: Not yet rated
Vox Veritas, a Hall of Famer, on 7/3/08 at 9:56 am
“they aren’t wrong about the Former Freak”
I don’t think it’s possible to be more wronger than to give this guy a $65 million contract with $16 million up front.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
JagNation.com, a Cheerleader, on 7/3/08 at 10:09 am
So do we think he’ll get a suspension for the DUI? I’d be surprised if the team or the commish lets him off the hook.
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Jeremiah W, a Division Champ, on 7/3/08 at 10:11 am
Injuries took a huge toll on him, but in his first 3 years he was freak. He was incredibly tough to block and anchored some really good defenses.
He was never the same player after major injuries, but I would not call him a one year wonder or even a complete bust as a free agent. He was healthy and helping some on a few of the playoff teams in Philly right?
He did not get cut because the Eagles gave too much money to a rookie though. Like the case usually is, he got cut because he was due to make “too much” money.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
vidiotz, a Passionate Fan, on 7/3/08 at 10:15 am
Probably the biggest mistake the Eagles made on the Defensive side of the ball after the ‘04 season was letting Burgess go because of his injury history and because of the promise of Kearse and McDougle.
If anything, Jevon should be pissed at himself for underperforming his contract in Philly (admitting it at the start of every season, promising improvement over the previous year). He didn’t walk off the field in Philly for 4 years: he limped, hobbled, or was assisted off because he was playing against some of the biggest, stoutest lines in the league who are used to DE’s that can use either power or speed (not just speed) to get to the QB.
Good luck to you in Tennessee, and thanks for not being an Eagle.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
drhanniballector, a Water Boy, on 7/3/08 at 10:16 am
he is a speed rusher who lost a step many years ago. he doesn’t have second and third moves. all tackles play him the same; just ride his shoulder and let him take himself out of the play. it’s not gonna change.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
TitanPride, a Water Boy, on 7/3/08 at 10:17 am
10 sacks minimum if he’s used properly as a situational pass rusher. He’s not making a ton of cash and was worth the risk. Time will tell
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Rating: 1.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
fretileoctogenarian, a Head Coach, on 7/3/08 at 10:28 am
I am life-time Philly fan and was overjoyed when they signed him in 2004…and relieved when they finally cut him. The guy can’t play. He’s a one trick pony, and since he’s lost a step he wasn’t beating anyone to the outside (when he was even healthy enough to play). I’m tired of seeing OTs (and TEs AND RBs) just run him to the outside right past the QB. The Iggles front office had it right this time. Next up on the chopping block Darren Howard and Jerome McDougal.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
mindofacynic, a Cheerleader, on 7/3/08 at 10:30 am
“these guys are supposed to be professionals, and true professionals don’t need external events to make them “more motivated.” They already are.”
Amen!
Once again the sports world does not mirror the real world. The fact he can still get hired with that type of resume is remarkable.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
B-dawk, a Head Coach, on 7/3/08 at 10:35 am
Kearse is a funny guy. Making millions can’t motivate this stiff but getting cut by the Eagles will.
Javon and boats have alot in common- The two happiest days are the day you get them and the day you get rid of them!!!
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)