Jahan Dotson has not yet developed into a great pass catcher in the Eagles’ offense.

But he had a great performance in New Orleans on Sunday.

It was Dotson who helped break up Dallas Goedert’s 61-yard catch late in the fourth quarter and set up the game-winning touchdown. Dotson ran a rub route but wisely avoided contact and an offensive pass interference call.

“The key aspect is that it’s still a route, we’re not really going to cause any disruption,” offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said. “You’re going to run a route and create as much traffic as you can, and ultimately it’s about stressing the defenders in a variety of ways and forcing them to communicate at a really high level. And that’s ultimately the challenge: When these guys play man-to-man, they have to play it perfectly.

“For Jahan to run his route and create movement and force these guys to be in the same lane and create traffic and run into each other is a great example of the time he put in all week to get to this game to prepare and carry out.”

Coming into the game last Sunday, the Eagles knew the Saints would be playing a lot of man coverage and they wanted to take advantage of that. Dotson estimated the Eagles played this exact game about 10 times during the week.

And then, on a crucial 3rd-and-16 with just 1:16 left in the game, Jalen Hurts checked the play, which was beautifully designed. And then Dotson played his role so perfectly that three Saints collided in the middle of the field.

“I was really just trying to get in the way of Dallas’ man,” Dotson said. “I didn’t know all three guys were going to run into each other, but it was pretty cool. It was a big play for us and helped us win overall.”

That wasn’t the only time Dotson helped make room for Goedert. Early in the fourth quarter, Dotson had another scratch route that gave Goedert a 30-yard gain.

In three games, Dotson has only three catches for 14 yards. But at least he does the little things well. And maybe the receptions will follow soon.

The personal touch

Earlier this week, receiver Parris Campbell revealed he initially turned down the Eagles when he was cut by the Eagles in August and offered a spot on their practice squad.

But then head coach Nick Sirianni called him and that made a big difference. Sirianni was the OC in Indianapolis when they selected Campbell in the second round in 2019. They return.

On Friday, I asked Sirianni what made him call Campbell.

“I love Parris. I’ve known him for a long time,” Sirianni said. “Obviously I had a relationship with him before the Philadelphia Eagles and became close to him there. Again, everything we do is about relationships, right? And as his offensive coordinator and someone who specializes in wide receivers, I was able to coach and get to know him.

“One thing I said: I’m obviously not going to share the conversations I have with these guys, but one thing I told him is, ‘We’re going to need you, man.’ We’re going to need you to make some plays. We’re going to need you. I know you didn’t want it to be this way, but we’re going to need you for this journey we’re taking. We have faith in you and it’s just the way the numbers worked out.’ And I’m certainly glad he decided to change his mind.”

Campbell has been on a roll and played significant snaps each of the last two weeks. He is expected to lead for the third time Sunday in Tampa.

In recent weeks, Sirianni has been criticized for some of his in-game management and that criticism is certainly valid. But Sirianni has strengths and his ability to connect with his players is a major strength.

“I think it shows how important relationships are,” Sirianni said. “A lot of what we discuss is probably more about the Xs and Os than the relationships.

But I’m not so sure that relationships aren’t more important in many cases. That’s what you try to do as a football team. That’s what we’re trying to do, build those relationships.

“Because when you have those relationships, it will help you apply a little bit more pressure. This will help you overcome criticism. This will help you get through praise. There’s nothing better than being on a football team.”

Rodgers over Ringo?

For most of training camp, it appeared that Isaiah Rodgers was ahead of Kelee Ringo on the Eagles’ depth chart. But when Darius Slay was injured on Sunday, it was Ringo who replaced him and played the final 11 snaps of the game.

What is there?

“Kelee was just awake and ready for the game,” Vic Fangio said. “Because if we had played any six DBs, he would have been in there. We only thought about the guys on the side, he was more involved and ready to get started spontaneously. And if that had happened earlier in the game, there would still be a lot of football to be played, I probably would have seen Isaiah out there.”

In Week 1, Cooper DeJean was the Eagles’ additional defensive back in the dime package, but in Week 2, that role went to Ringo. While the Eagles didn’t play a dime against the Saints, Fangio felt Ringo was more ready to play.

A mid-season change

Mekhi Becton packed his things and moved this week. A few lockers further down.

Since Doug Pederson became the Eagles’ head coach in 2016, the last five lockers in the back right corner of the NovaCare Complex locker room have been reserved for the starting offensive line. They are lined up in the locker room like they are on the field.

After Jason Kelce retired, Cam Jurgens moved one spot to left in the spring, leaving the right guard locker open. At the time, Tyler Steen was the most likely option to take over at right guard, so he took over that locker. But Becton has since won the job and finally took over the locker this week. He and Steen swapped places.

The lockers in the back corner of the locker room are now: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson

Baun always knew it

Through three weeks of the NFL season, Eagles linebacker Zack Baun is second in the NFL in combined tackles (37) and first in solo tackles (27).

Not bad for a guy who was expected to play a limited role when he signed in the spring. But Baun was an all-down player for the Eagles and was one of the better linebackers in the NFL through the early games. Fangio clearly saw something in the 27-year-old, but Baun claims he knew it was there too.

“I always knew it. I always knew it,” Baun said this week. “When I came here I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do this and be a good supporter in this league.”

The Eagles signed Baun to a one-year, $3.5 million contract this offseason. This puts him 46th in the NFL among linebackers in terms of APY. So far it’s been an incredible bargain.

“I think we just play good team defense,” Baun said. “And then there is always effort and energy. That’s one of our core values, playing with effort and intensity, and that’s what I do.”

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