In his second season with the Eagles, Darius Slay is searching for the same national respect that eluded him in seven seasons with the Lions. The numbers say he remains one of the game's top corners. The narrative continues to say something else. As three-time All-Pro Richard Sherman told Slay last week, "Every year you're underrated no matter how much respect you get."
"It’s still the same," Slay told reporters Wednesday ahead of his return to Detroit with the Lions hosting the Eagles on Sunday. "Sometimes you gotta remind people. But it’s tough. Definitely playing at that time in Detroit it was kind of hard (to get noticed). We had a great fanbase, but it’s not a popular team. It’s not a team that's on every Monday Night game, Sunday night game, we didn’t get all those prime-time games. But I got a lot of respect from coaches, so that’s way better."
Slay was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro in Detroit, and that sold him short. He consistently travelled with the opposing team's top receiver and led the NFL with 99 passes defended from 2014-19. He remains the leader in that category since he entered the league in 2013, with a chance to add to his total against Jared Goff and the Lions' depleted receiving corps.
Slay was a popular figure on and off the field with the Lions, a fun-loving star who endeared himself to fans. His time here came to an unceremonious end. Slay was traded to the Eagles last March after he requested a trade due to his broken relationship with Matt Patricia. But he doesn't bear any ill will toward the organization that gave him a shot in the NFL. In fact, he said "it was great how it ended."
"That's my second home," said Slay. "I was there for seven years. I appreciate (former Lions GM) Martin Mayhew taking a chance on drafting me, the Lions organization for taking a chance on me being there. I've got a lot of family there. I built a lot of good relationships, so it's a good home visit for me. I appreciate the fans, for sure. I'm real big in the community there, so it's going to be a good feeling to be back in Detroit.”
Slay hasn't landed with the contender he suspected -- and thus the lack of national notice. After three straight trips to the playoffs, the Eagles won four games last year and enter Sunday with a record of 2-5. They're hungry for a win. So is Slay, who hated losing as much as any player in Detroit. He's also hungry for some Captain Jay's.
"Everybody knows about it in Detroit. That’s one of the best chicken spots down there, so I can't wait to go get that," he said. "That’s probably what I’m gonna do when I get there."
Slay's not messing around. As soon as the Eagles land in Detroit on Saturday, he said he's "taking me an Uber straight there" to hit the drive-through. Don't be surprised if he winds up walking inside. There will be friends and fans to catch up with. Just don't keep the man from his fries.
"They got this stuff they call crack. It’s not actually crack." [Phew.] "It’s only but sugar, lemon pepper and salt that’s in a little can. You pour it on your chicken, get a little spice to it, then put some hot sauce on it, then you throw the crack on the fries. Oh, it’s crazy," said Slay, all but drooling. "I’m gonna show you."
He said he might show some teammates, too, "but guys don’t want the fried chicken on their stomach before the game, unlike me. I don’t really care what I eat, I just play."
And for the record, "I'm still playing great."