Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Owls in the NFL - Wild Card Edition
1.17.23 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The NFL playoffs got underway this past Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with six games during wild card weekend.
Dion Dawkins (2013-16), Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills defeated AFC East division rivals, the #7 seed Miami Dolphins, 34-31. Dawkins and the Bills offense had a stellar start to the playoffs, accruing over 400 yards and 30 minutes of possession. The Bills will play the #4 seed Cincinnati Bengals next weekend in the divisional round.
William Kwenkeu (2016-21) and the #3 seed Minnesota Vikings lost to the #6 seed New York Giants, 31-24. The Giants employ two former Owls – Chris Myarick (2016-18) and Quincy Roche (2016-19) – on their practice squad.
On Monday Night, Todd Bowles (1982-85) and his #4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the #5 seed Dallas Cowboys, 31-14.
Since Philadelphia and Kansas City earned #1 seeds and a bye, we caught up with former Owls and current Eagles' linebackers Haason Reddick and Shaun Bradley, to discuss their experiences and expectations as the 2022 season continues.
On why Reddick decided to play for the Eagles:
HR: "I went to school here, my family, friends are here right across the bridge. And the chance to play for my hometown team, a team I grew up watching on TV on Sundays. That opportunity in and of itself, is not one that everybody gets. There are a lot of people who play pro football but how many can say that they play for my hometown. Having that opportunity is like a dream come true for me…The opportunity to be back home especially with how the season has gone and the magnitude, it's been a blessing for me. I'm happy to be here and happy to be a part of this thing… I get to play in front of my family I see them in the stands. I love it. I'm balling out at home and that's the most beautiful thing about it."
On some of the differences he experienced while over the past three seasons (despite those adjustments, he set an NFL record becoming the first player to record 10.0+ sacks for three different teams in three consecutive seasons):
HR: "Some of the differences in the past three years have been new defensive coordinators, position coaches, new players every year. Basically, different terminology. I've been asked to do some different things as well. The biggest difference is that I've been around new people.
Has learning the terminology gotten easier?
HR: "A defense might be the same thing here as it was somewhere else, but it's just called something different. So it's gotten easier, the terminology is just like learning a new language. I know what it is, I know what it means, but not having to think about translating it."
On what it's like playing at Lincoln Financial Field and why homefield advantage was important:
HR: "We have some of the best fans in all of football here in Philadelphia. To have all the other teams come and play at the Linc, that's crazy. Playing where you're most comfortable at. Part of the reason I came to play here – comfortability, being able to play in front of friends and family and the ability to be ourselves.
SB: "The energy, first and foremost. The stadium itself, like the grass in the stadium is really comfortable to run on for your knees, your body falling on it. Just the energy that it brings from the crowd. You got the city of Philly itself, the grittiness, the toughness, that it brings. So it kind of portrays that onto the team and we embrace that."
When asked about playing at the Linc nearly as long as Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce:
SB: "For me, its surreal honestly. I'm still a young player. I've only been here three years, going on my fourth, and I'm getting to play with all these different types of players that I watched growing up for years. And even ones that are just good at their age now like A.J. Brown, Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph, Fletch[er Cox], [Javon] Hargrave, Lane [Johnson], Kelce. You got all these guys that I watched for years, being able to come together on one team. All these people that have their own name and their own superstardom, everybody just comes together as one, for one common goal. It's crazy to me because you really get to see how it's really supposed to look and how winning is supposed to be, how a team is supposed to be. You get that from the leaders of the group even down to the younger guys at their position like Jalen [Hurts] or A.J. Brown. It's been crazy for me because I'm living in a dream. I'm getting to learn from everybody. I'm getting to learn from all these coaches and players, while also getting to go out there making plays and winning, so it's fun."
When asked if it's easier to form bonds with teammates on a smaller NFL roster than a bigger college roster:
SB: "100%. I would say the bond grew bigger, but Coach Sirianni played a part in it as well by pushing the fundamentals, and connecting, and the team IQ, all that stuff that he talks about. It kind of grew the team even closer, the way we act with each other, everybody is just really close. I know that sounds probably cliché because people say that about every team, but genuinely you got like D-linemen that go and mess with the receivers, DBs that go talk to the O-line, you don't get that everywhere."
On how Temple prepared his for his role on special teams:
SB: "A bunch of things. I can honestly say that prior to Temple, I didn't have a lot of mental toughness. A lot of grit. I feel like in high school I was kind of gritty but I wasn't going to do all the things that were necessary, or I wasn't going to do the things I didn't want to do. When I got to Temple, it taught me, for one, how to be a man on and off the field, but two just giving me that mental toughness that we always talk about, that Temple TUFF, that no matter what my job is, no matter what my role is, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. I'm going to do it full speed. Doesn't matter where you put me, I'm going to succeed. And that's that same thing that happened with Sam [Franklin], I've been watching Sam all year in Carolina, and he's doing the same exact thing, just dominating, dominating, dominating, full speed. He might not be right all the time but he's going to go full speed, go hard every single play, and give you everything he's got. And that's what I'm doing. I'm having success in certain areas. I'm doing well on special teams because I'm willing to do whatever the team needs and I also play with no fear, which is what I learned from Temple."
On the success that Temple players have had on special teams in the NFL:
SB: "Yeah and that's how it is. I've always said, like, even when I first got here, my rookie year, people were going through the drills, like special teams drills, and people were like 'yo, you doing this drill real good,' and I would say that we used to do these drills in college - and I was a starter in college for three years, and I did every special teams drill. And we would go so hard in practice, that the games were just easier, even against kids from my rookie year. Like how we did it at Temple, Sam and I would go against each other, and we'd be talking trash. Like we'd go back and forth, and here I carried it the same way in drills. Like come on you want to go, let's go right now. And it worked. And that's how I approached the game, and that's the way we were programmed at Temple. It wasn't like I was putting on a front or making people try to believe something. That's how we were, that's how we are, and same with Tyler [Matakevich]. You watch Tyler, he plays with the same grittiness, Sam, same grittiness, Sean Chandler same grittiness, me, same grittiness, even Kenny [Yeboah], when he gets his snaps with the Jets, same grittiness, Chappelle [Russell] same way. That's just how we are, that's just what Temple did, just build our character. We all still talk about, to this day, that Temple TUFF, that is a real thing. No one went through what we went through at Temple. The amount of work that went in, how tough it was, nothing compares to that."
On the last time they were teammates in 2016 and their fondest memories of winning the American Athletic Conference Championship:
HR: "The people on the team. The friends that I made. The thing that was most special was that it was my senior year and I got to go out as a winner, as a champion. That was the best part about it 'Okay here we are. We are leaving our mark.' As a Temple team that won a championship, something that wasn't done in a long time. To be a part of that, to be a part of history. That's the best memory I have of college football."
SB: Aside from winning the championship, because that was probably my favorite part. My fondest memory was probably the UCF game where P.J. [Walker] came back and he threw that game winning touchdown to [Keith] Kirkwood. That was my first real season playing college football and that was big, like 'oh sh!t, this thing is crazy,' the adrenaline rush I got."
On what they remember about the Eagles Super Bowl parade in 2018 and if they think about riding in one of those floats this year:
SB: "As an Eagles player? That's my motivation, because I always tell people I was here. I wasn't on the team, but I was in the city when we won the Super Bowl, and I could imagine what it felt like to be a part of that. I never won a national championship, but we won an AAC championship, and I want to experience what a Super Bowl is like. I's the biggest title of them all, it doesn't get bigger than that.
"I was outside the whole day. We woke up, I remember the night they won. I remember sitting in my dorm, they won. You start hearing the cheers, hearing the horns, hearing people running down the street, beeping horns, and then you wake up the next morning and we went outside. Me, Kareem Ali, Chapelle, Dana Levine, Delvon [Randall], we all went out early, maybe like 8:30, and we walked all down Broad Street to the [Art Museum] steps, around Philly, just being in that environment. I wasn't even an Eagles' fan at the time, I was a Chargers' fan growing up, so I wasn't even like super juiced but like this city was so crazy, it was something I had never seen before. There were people everywhere, so many Eagles' fans, it was so loud. I think about that all the time, it was so much fun."
HR: "Of course, I watched it at home in my living room. I was back in the Philly area since the Cardinals season was over by then… Just the whole way it's been playing out. To be able to come back home and get a Super Bowl? I know what it would mean to the team and the fans but for me personally? It would be crazy to think I have a chance to get a Super Bowl ring back home, it's crazy. I'm praying on it. I'm hoping we can get there and get the job done."
On whether they talk about winning another championship together:
HR: "Shaun's locker is just one down from mine, so we talk all the time. About the old days. We haven't talked about winning the Super Bowl cause the job isn't done. I know if we can get to that point, we will be talking about it for sure, because it will be another great memory for both of us."
Dion Dawkins (2013-16), Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills defeated AFC East division rivals, the #7 seed Miami Dolphins, 34-31. Dawkins and the Bills offense had a stellar start to the playoffs, accruing over 400 yards and 30 minutes of possession. The Bills will play the #4 seed Cincinnati Bengals next weekend in the divisional round.
William Kwenkeu (2016-21) and the #3 seed Minnesota Vikings lost to the #6 seed New York Giants, 31-24. The Giants employ two former Owls – Chris Myarick (2016-18) and Quincy Roche (2016-19) – on their practice squad.
On Monday Night, Todd Bowles (1982-85) and his #4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the #5 seed Dallas Cowboys, 31-14.
Since Philadelphia and Kansas City earned #1 seeds and a bye, we caught up with former Owls and current Eagles' linebackers Haason Reddick and Shaun Bradley, to discuss their experiences and expectations as the 2022 season continues.
On why Reddick decided to play for the Eagles:
HR: "I went to school here, my family, friends are here right across the bridge. And the chance to play for my hometown team, a team I grew up watching on TV on Sundays. That opportunity in and of itself, is not one that everybody gets. There are a lot of people who play pro football but how many can say that they play for my hometown. Having that opportunity is like a dream come true for me…The opportunity to be back home especially with how the season has gone and the magnitude, it's been a blessing for me. I'm happy to be here and happy to be a part of this thing… I get to play in front of my family I see them in the stands. I love it. I'm balling out at home and that's the most beautiful thing about it."
On some of the differences he experienced while over the past three seasons (despite those adjustments, he set an NFL record becoming the first player to record 10.0+ sacks for three different teams in three consecutive seasons):
HR: "Some of the differences in the past three years have been new defensive coordinators, position coaches, new players every year. Basically, different terminology. I've been asked to do some different things as well. The biggest difference is that I've been around new people.
Has learning the terminology gotten easier?
HR: "A defense might be the same thing here as it was somewhere else, but it's just called something different. So it's gotten easier, the terminology is just like learning a new language. I know what it is, I know what it means, but not having to think about translating it."
On what it's like playing at Lincoln Financial Field and why homefield advantage was important:
HR: "We have some of the best fans in all of football here in Philadelphia. To have all the other teams come and play at the Linc, that's crazy. Playing where you're most comfortable at. Part of the reason I came to play here – comfortability, being able to play in front of friends and family and the ability to be ourselves.
SB: "The energy, first and foremost. The stadium itself, like the grass in the stadium is really comfortable to run on for your knees, your body falling on it. Just the energy that it brings from the crowd. You got the city of Philly itself, the grittiness, the toughness, that it brings. So it kind of portrays that onto the team and we embrace that."
When asked about playing at the Linc nearly as long as Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce:
SB: "For me, its surreal honestly. I'm still a young player. I've only been here three years, going on my fourth, and I'm getting to play with all these different types of players that I watched growing up for years. And even ones that are just good at their age now like A.J. Brown, Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph, Fletch[er Cox], [Javon] Hargrave, Lane [Johnson], Kelce. You got all these guys that I watched for years, being able to come together on one team. All these people that have their own name and their own superstardom, everybody just comes together as one, for one common goal. It's crazy to me because you really get to see how it's really supposed to look and how winning is supposed to be, how a team is supposed to be. You get that from the leaders of the group even down to the younger guys at their position like Jalen [Hurts] or A.J. Brown. It's been crazy for me because I'm living in a dream. I'm getting to learn from everybody. I'm getting to learn from all these coaches and players, while also getting to go out there making plays and winning, so it's fun."
When asked if it's easier to form bonds with teammates on a smaller NFL roster than a bigger college roster:
SB: "100%. I would say the bond grew bigger, but Coach Sirianni played a part in it as well by pushing the fundamentals, and connecting, and the team IQ, all that stuff that he talks about. It kind of grew the team even closer, the way we act with each other, everybody is just really close. I know that sounds probably cliché because people say that about every team, but genuinely you got like D-linemen that go and mess with the receivers, DBs that go talk to the O-line, you don't get that everywhere."
On how Temple prepared his for his role on special teams:
SB: "A bunch of things. I can honestly say that prior to Temple, I didn't have a lot of mental toughness. A lot of grit. I feel like in high school I was kind of gritty but I wasn't going to do all the things that were necessary, or I wasn't going to do the things I didn't want to do. When I got to Temple, it taught me, for one, how to be a man on and off the field, but two just giving me that mental toughness that we always talk about, that Temple TUFF, that no matter what my job is, no matter what my role is, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. I'm going to do it full speed. Doesn't matter where you put me, I'm going to succeed. And that's that same thing that happened with Sam [Franklin], I've been watching Sam all year in Carolina, and he's doing the same exact thing, just dominating, dominating, dominating, full speed. He might not be right all the time but he's going to go full speed, go hard every single play, and give you everything he's got. And that's what I'm doing. I'm having success in certain areas. I'm doing well on special teams because I'm willing to do whatever the team needs and I also play with no fear, which is what I learned from Temple."
On the success that Temple players have had on special teams in the NFL:
SB: "Yeah and that's how it is. I've always said, like, even when I first got here, my rookie year, people were going through the drills, like special teams drills, and people were like 'yo, you doing this drill real good,' and I would say that we used to do these drills in college - and I was a starter in college for three years, and I did every special teams drill. And we would go so hard in practice, that the games were just easier, even against kids from my rookie year. Like how we did it at Temple, Sam and I would go against each other, and we'd be talking trash. Like we'd go back and forth, and here I carried it the same way in drills. Like come on you want to go, let's go right now. And it worked. And that's how I approached the game, and that's the way we were programmed at Temple. It wasn't like I was putting on a front or making people try to believe something. That's how we were, that's how we are, and same with Tyler [Matakevich]. You watch Tyler, he plays with the same grittiness, Sam, same grittiness, Sean Chandler same grittiness, me, same grittiness, even Kenny [Yeboah], when he gets his snaps with the Jets, same grittiness, Chappelle [Russell] same way. That's just how we are, that's just what Temple did, just build our character. We all still talk about, to this day, that Temple TUFF, that is a real thing. No one went through what we went through at Temple. The amount of work that went in, how tough it was, nothing compares to that."
On the last time they were teammates in 2016 and their fondest memories of winning the American Athletic Conference Championship:
HR: "The people on the team. The friends that I made. The thing that was most special was that it was my senior year and I got to go out as a winner, as a champion. That was the best part about it 'Okay here we are. We are leaving our mark.' As a Temple team that won a championship, something that wasn't done in a long time. To be a part of that, to be a part of history. That's the best memory I have of college football."
SB: Aside from winning the championship, because that was probably my favorite part. My fondest memory was probably the UCF game where P.J. [Walker] came back and he threw that game winning touchdown to [Keith] Kirkwood. That was my first real season playing college football and that was big, like 'oh sh!t, this thing is crazy,' the adrenaline rush I got."
On what they remember about the Eagles Super Bowl parade in 2018 and if they think about riding in one of those floats this year:
SB: "As an Eagles player? That's my motivation, because I always tell people I was here. I wasn't on the team, but I was in the city when we won the Super Bowl, and I could imagine what it felt like to be a part of that. I never won a national championship, but we won an AAC championship, and I want to experience what a Super Bowl is like. I's the biggest title of them all, it doesn't get bigger than that.
"I was outside the whole day. We woke up, I remember the night they won. I remember sitting in my dorm, they won. You start hearing the cheers, hearing the horns, hearing people running down the street, beeping horns, and then you wake up the next morning and we went outside. Me, Kareem Ali, Chapelle, Dana Levine, Delvon [Randall], we all went out early, maybe like 8:30, and we walked all down Broad Street to the [Art Museum] steps, around Philly, just being in that environment. I wasn't even an Eagles' fan at the time, I was a Chargers' fan growing up, so I wasn't even like super juiced but like this city was so crazy, it was something I had never seen before. There were people everywhere, so many Eagles' fans, it was so loud. I think about that all the time, it was so much fun."
HR: "Of course, I watched it at home in my living room. I was back in the Philly area since the Cardinals season was over by then… Just the whole way it's been playing out. To be able to come back home and get a Super Bowl? I know what it would mean to the team and the fans but for me personally? It would be crazy to think I have a chance to get a Super Bowl ring back home, it's crazy. I'm praying on it. I'm hoping we can get there and get the job done."
On whether they talk about winning another championship together:
HR: "Shaun's locker is just one down from mine, so we talk all the time. About the old days. We haven't talked about winning the Super Bowl cause the job isn't done. I know if we can get to that point, we will be talking about it for sure, because it will be another great memory for both of us."
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