Michael Clay intercepted a pass from Sean Mannion in college

The Philadelphia Eagles ’ coordinators met with the media this week to discuss football, expectations, and offseason preparation. Naturally, because football people never let the truly important things die, the conversation eventually shifted to an interception thrown nearly 15 years ago. That was really the conversation.

Before Sean Mannion became the Eagles ' offensive coordinator and before Michael Clay became one of Nick Sirianni's most trusted assistants leading the special teams unit, the two found themselves on opposite sidelines in one of college football's underrated rivalry games. Mannion was slinging passes as the Oregon State Beavers ' quarterback. Clay was roaming the defensive backfield for the Oregon Ducks , and on one particular third-and-long, nearly 15 years ago, things went poorly for the quarterback.

Clay shared his version of the story as all three of Philadelphia's top assistants met with the media this week . “It was third-and-long. I faked like I was going in the A gap.

I dropped back. I think they tried to throw a backside dig, and I was fortunate enough that it hit me in between the four and the six that I didn't drop it. ” That's a little defensive humor for saying the football somehow found his hands.