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Boston College: The Top 10 Eagles players in the NFL

By Logan Jakubajtys

Nov 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Boston College Eagle Matt Ryan during his jersey retirement ceremony during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Boston College Eagle Matt Ryan during his jersey retirement ceremony during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston College
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins safety Will Blackmon (41) looks on prior to a game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field. Redskins won 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. S Will Blackmon, Washington Redskins

Will Blackmon is the wily old veteran on this list. The 32-year old safety will enter his 11th NFL season in 2017.

2017 will only be the second season in which Blackmon plays safety. From 2006 through 2015 he was a cornerback with the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Redskins.

Blackmon has appeared in 96 NFL games and has tallied 155 tackles and 4 interceptions. He’s also returned 73 punts and 85 kicks over his career, with 3 touchdowns.

The veteran Washington safety is now competing for his job. DeAngelo Hall is the veteran most likely to be cut, but a poor training camp could spell the end for Blackmon.

Boston College
Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) battles against Indianapolis Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo (74) at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions won 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

3. LT Anthony Castonzo, Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Castonzo could be #1 on the list if the two ahead of him weren’t skill players with amazing stats. He’s started in all 89 games he’s played for the Indianapolis Colts as their left tackle since 2011. That means that Castonzo has been the blindside protector for one of the league’s best young QBs in Andrew Luck since he came into the league in 2012.

Consistency has been in question among the Colts offensive line, and Castonzo works to be perfect on every single play.

"“I take it personally every time I watch film and see something I don’t like,” Castonzo says of the offensive line criticism. “That’s a personal attack from me, on myself, when I put something on film that I don’t like. My goal is to be perfect on every rep and I think that’s our offensive line’s goal. When we are not, we do take it personally. Regardless if someone is saying something or not, we realize we’ve got to get it corrected.”"

Castonzo is also growing into one of the leaders on the Indianapolis offense. He’s now the second oldest player on that side of the ball behind Frank Gore.

"“And that kind of drives home even more how much I have to take a leadership responsibility,” he said. “You have some young guys who can develop into a heck of a team… If the right example is set for them, a winning example and a winning culture, I think there could be a lot of success here as there has been in the past. We have to keep that rolling.”"

Castonzo can be a Pro Bowl-caliber LT for the Colts, and Andrew Luck sure hopes that he is in 2017.

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