Ifeanyi Momah isn’t one to let second chances go to waste.
A year after he was cut by the Eagles at the end of training camp, Momah is back with a new mindset, a new physique and new knowledge of what it takes to make an NFL roster.
Last year, the former Boston College receiver was an undrafted free agent who was happy to have been picked up by an NFL team. This year, he is determined to be one of the 53 men standing when the final roster is announced.
“I was expecting to come back [to the Eagles] earlier, and the fact that I didn’t get picked up until after the season makes the fire burn even stronger,” Momah said after practice Thursday. “I’m going to give it my all and I’m going to make a team this year. Hopefully it’s with the Eagles.”
It’s been less than a week since training camp began and Momah is already proving the Eagles were right to give him a second look.
On Thursday, the 6-foot-7 wideout made a leaping, twisting grab over his opposite shoulder on an underthrown pass from Matt Barkley. Making the play more impressive was that it came against Brandon Boykin, who led the Eagles with six interceptions last season.
“Once he gets leverage on you it’s tough because he’s so big you can’t get around him,” Boykin said. “Last year, one of the things he struggled with was getting off the jam, but he’s doing a good job of using his hands more this year. I’m excited to see what he does during the games.”
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While using his size to his advantage has always been a big part of Momah’s game, the 24-year-old spent the past year working on his speed and his route running.
Listed at 239 pounds last year, Momah has slimmed down to 228 and looks sleeker and more cut than in the past.
Still, Momah’s improvement has been more about learning from his past mistakes and expanding his knowledge rather than simply working on his body.
“When you go back and watch film, and you have coaches telling you what you’re supposed to do, it makes a big difference,” Momah said. “Last year was a learning experience for me. I learned from my mistakes and now I know how to do it.”
The Eagles finished last season with six receivers on their roster. With Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and rookies Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff locks to make the team, Momah’s main competition will come from veterans Brad Smith and Arrelious Benn.
It is unclear how highly the Eagles regard Momah at the moment. Speaking prior to Thursday’s practice, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur signaled out just Benn and Smith when asked which receivers fighting for a spot had looked impressive.
However, Shurmur would later apologize for not mentioning Momah along with them after being asked about him specifically.
“I probably should have mentioned [Momah] earlier when I was talking about receivers,” Shurmur said. “He understands our offense better just like anything when you’re more comfortable. He looks smoother out there, he’s making plays down the field and he’s actually had a really good camp.”
For his part, Momah is well aware of who he is competing against, though he isn’t listening to what anyone says, whether it is negative or positive.
Though he is pleased with how he has performed during camp thus far, he knows there is plenty of time left for many things — both good and bad — to happen.
“I think [the coaches] notice [me] but it’s never enough in my eyes,” Momah said. “Even if I have no drops and my routes are crisp there’s always room for improvement regardless of what the coaches say. If you come out the next day and you don’t play well, they’re going to say you didn’t play well so it has to be consistent.
“[Competition] always helps because it gives you more reps and gives you better looks. The opportunity that I have is great.”