Safety valve. Safety net. Safety dance.
Whichever clever pun you wish to insert about the Eagles’ revolving door at defensive back, it might be over. Finally.
After Kurt Coleman’s three-interception performance last week in Washington, it appears the team is confident with him as the starting strong safety moving forward.
Coleman, who was benched after giving up a touchdown in Week 3, became the 11th player in Eagles history to have three picks in a game — and the first since 1966.
“I think it was a humbling experience,” Coleman said of being benched. “I’m a competitor and I know what I am capable of doing out there, but the first three games I wasn’t getting it done, and that was apparent.”
Coleman was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week for his clinic against the Redskins.
“I thank the Lord that I was able to make the plays,” Coleman said.
Not to be outdone, fellow second-year pro Nate Allen also sniped an errant Rex Grossman pass. Allen has regained his starting job, at free safety, after beginning the season behind Jarrad Page. Allen started 13 games last year as a rookie before injuring his knee.
“Hopefully, Nate Allen and I are the right combination,” Coleman said. “We have a very good relationship on and off the field.”
It appears the pair will be the starting safeties for the foreseeable future, although Eagles coach Andy Reid wouldn’t confirm it.
“Listen, they’re young guys that are improving,” Reid said. “As long as they keep working hard and have the right mindset, that’s a good thing.”
