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The 49ers added to their attack by signing former Eagles receiver Jordan Matthews.
Matthews, at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, could be the big-body catcher the team was looking for. During his five seasons in the NFL, Matthews spent time in Philadelphia and Buffalo and a season off with the Patriots.
The Patriots cut Matthews following a major thigh injury during the 2018 off season. He was then signed by the Eagles, where he participated in 14 games.
Matthews has 270 career receptions for 3,255 yards and 22 touchdowns. The majority of these touchdowns took place inside the red zone, a difficult field for coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Jordan Matthews talks about signing with the # 49ers. He has collected 45 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns in the last two seasons with Bills and Eagles. In the first three years with Eagles, he averaged 75-891-6. pic.twitter.com/cmEvCNeTWH
– Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) March 14, 2019
When signing with the team, Matthews explained why he chose the 49ers.
"I had a huge interest in wanting to be in a place like this," Matthews said. "That's all you want, when it comes to team culture, young, dynamic, excellent quarterback at Jimmy (Garoppolo). So, as a recipient, you can not ask for a better situation. "
Matthews also has a unique connection to the team, being the cousin of Hall of Fame extended receiver Jerry Rice. He remembered being very young in San Francisco but did not remember much.
When Matthews came back to the Bay Area a second time, it was to attend a Raiders game when Rice was a member of the team. Matthews remembers wearing a 49ers hat for this Raiders-Broncos game.
Coach Kyle Shanahan has always said that the size of the receiver is not as important as its ability to open. Matthews thinks that's one of the reasons the team signed it.
"I feel that I'm doing very well three things," Matthews said. "I opened, grabbed the ball and I'll block the match. I feel like every time I am able to make games, I go out and do them.
"Last year, on returning to Philly, they offered me opportunities, and whenever they gave me an opportunity, I made sure I took advantage of them."
The 49ers have been on Matthews radar for a while. He talked about what he had seen in the body of critics and how it had made San Francisco an attractive landing place.
"I watch movies and see guys like Trent Taylor have a great year (as a rookie), Kendrick Bourne can improve his game in a short time. Same tight end. Look what (George) Kittle was able to do and how they got him into space.
"Marquise Goodwin is a player I've been looking at for a long time, and when he came here it seemed like his career was really coming in. That's why I feel like they're doing a lot of things just to get the guys into an open space, and that's what I'm proud of, I'll open it, I'll catch the ball, I'll help the team win. "
Matthews missed some time on the field because of an injury, but he was adamant that he is currently in good health.
"I feel good," said Matthews. "I feel as good as when I entered the league. All this place is electric right now. Entering the building, you will find that the 49ers are very excited. "
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Matthews is meeting with his former teammate Miles Austin, who is now part of the 49ers' staff. The two played together while they were members of the Eagles in 2015.
"I said to Austin, I feel like I'm 22 years old to walk here," Matthews said. "I'm excited to get to work, get to know the guys in the locker room and try to create a winning culture."
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