The Eagles are headed to Chicago this weekend for a Monday night matchup, but before hitting the road, head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters about Zach Ertz’s progression, how much he appreciates Jalen Hurts as the QB in Philly, and why there hasn’t been much play-action.
When asked about the special teams loophole they utilized with Braden Mann, Sirianni said that everything they’re doing is within the rules of the game, and they’ll continue to do whatever gives them the best chance to win
each week.
Here’s what else the head coach had to say:
On Zach Ertz’s progression
“Zach [Ertz] had a good week. Tight ends in general had a good week. We’ll see where we are at the end of the day.”
As for how the team is getting Ertz and also Kenny Moore ramped up throughout the week after the pair skipped any kind of training camp before joining the team. Sirianni explained that they look to see how the guys are moving, how they feel after practice, and whether they’re learning the system.
“There’s habits that the guys that have been here have practiced over and over and over and over again, and you’re doing your best job to catch them up on those habits as fast as you can, whether it’s tackling, the way we go about that, the way we go about strip attempts, the way we go about protecting the football. That comes with time. Every situation’s a little bit different, and everybody’s situation’s a little bit different.”
The head coach noted that there isn’t a specific checklist the go off of, but they have things they are looking at and questions they look to answer after every practice.
On individual success
“I want individual success for all our guys. Those individual goals don’t happen, though, without team success first. Everything we do is going to be to help us have the best chance to win.”
He went on to talk about how rookie WR Makai Lemon is going to be a big part of that as they move forward, because they know he’s talented. The head coach said he’s growing more confident in the young receiver each week in practice.
“Of course, I’d want him to have 10 catches for 100 yards, and Smitty [DeVonta Smith] and Tay [Dontayvion Wicks] and whoever. That’s just the way the season goes, and we’ll see where we continue to go. I think Smitty and Tay have had a good start to the season, and there’s things that Makai’s doing that a stat sheet can’t show, and we’re pleased with where he’s continuing to go. His touches will come because he’ll be out there because he consistently does the right thing when the ball’s not going to him.”
On Jonathan Greenard returning
Earlier in the week DC Vic Fangio said Greenard was closer to returning than he was last week, and Sirianni echoed that sentiment on Saturday.
“[Jonathan Greenard]’s had a good week. It’s exciting to have him out there. We’ll see where we are at the end of today. Like I said, today’s a very important part of the process, but I feel like he’s had a good week. It brings good energy. I’ve really enjoyed, I mean, I’ve hated that he hasn’t been able to go in for him and for our team, but I’ve really enjoyed being around him on the sideline and what he’s like on a game day. He’s got a lot of knowledge, and he’s really good with his teammates, and that’s been very noticeable to me, and I’m excited when it’s the time to get him back out there. He’s worked his butt off to be able to get back out there as soon as possible. I’m excited to have that leadership that I’ve seen him show when not playing. Excited about him, and he’s had a good week, though.”
On playing QB in the NFL
Sirianni was asked about Jalen Hurts’ recent comments about how challenging it is to be a quarterback in the NFL and everything that goes along with that. The head coach agreed that it was tough to put it into words, but highlighted the hard work and responsibility that goes into it, and that it all comes with a lot of credit and a lot of blame.
“It takes great mental toughness to be able to sustain the ups and downs that all these players go through on a weekly basis. I’m not sure I could put it into words, but there is immense responsibility to an organization and to a city in playing the most important position in sports.
I’m sure glad we have Jalen Hurts playing the most important position in sports in Philadelphia because I love him and everything that he’s done for us and everything he’ll continue to do for us. I always say about Howie [Roseman], I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this and I feel the same way about Jalen. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this journey.”
On the lack of play-action
Sirianni said that right now there’s a low sample size to really assess any kind of reasoning or pattern for the lack of play-action. He noted that they’ve been doing some no-huddle stuff, which affects that, as well, and they’ve faced situational hurdles, like being behind the sticks a bit and not being in first and second down and manageable.
“We know that we’ve been behind the sticks a little bit. I think that’s a fair question. I think it’s just early and it’s early in a sample size, and [I] imagine we’ll have this conversation again or not. We’ll see where we are at that particular point. It’s a little early right now because we’re still figuring out who we are and what we do best and all those different things.”
The plan was always to have some kind of mix of things they had done in the past and some of the new things that they wanted to do this year.
