The Eagles lost to the Giants on Sunday, but it was quarterback Joe Milton’s first NFL start, and he talked about the experience and his performance in his post-game press conference.
The QB was asked is he would be staying in Philly during his extended break, and he noted he might go home for like two days, but he plans to be working during the bye week — and he expects his teammates to do the same.
“Probably like two days, but if that, I just want to be better. We want to be better as a team, and
I don’t think too [many] people going home, too many people going home. Sorry. I think everybody should be here and will be here, just trying to get better and closer.”
Here’s what else Milton had to say:
On his performance
“For my first game here, I feel like I did all right. There are a lot of things that I can clean up as far as protection, just helping those guys out with protection. That’s something that we’re going to get better [at] this week coming up for sure.”
Milton also agreed that they need to do a better job setting protections as a whole, and collectively need to make sure they are on the same page with their communication. Despite only being with the team for three weeks, the quarterback says that work starts with him.
“It all depends [on] how the protection is taught. I feel like I was taught great here for the three weeks I’ve been here, so therefore I’ve just got to fix that right there, and that’s all on me for sure.”
The QB also wouldn’t put any blame on the challenges of learning new terminology. He also talked about learning more every day and enjoying the process one step at a time.
Milton was asked about what there was to learn from the last play, and while he hadn’t seen the film, he had some ideas.
“I haven’t seen it. But playing out that play, I’d probably just stay behind the line of scrimmage and just let them chase me because I know I’m going to be able to get the ball down the field. But just putting the team in a better situation and understanding that situation and shoot, I don’t know if I’d be able to sleep tonight for that situation, so I’d probably practice it in my living room.”
On carrying the ball if needed
“If it’s there, I’m trying to get it. If not, I’m trying to throw the ball. Whatever the team needs at that moment, that’s what I’m trying to do. We’ve just got to clean up a lot of stuff tonight and just move on, keep going. With my three weeks being here, it’s been amazing seeing these guys never give up. Seeing them tonight, they still had excitement on their faces, and I knew it wasn’t over. It’s great to see.”
On the Giants second-half adjustments
“Man, the Giants played great today. They had a great defensive cause and great players over there. What they did today was just pressure and play over top. Shout-out to them for stopping us and making plays.”
On the Eagles skill players
Milton talked about how he felt a closer bond with the whole offense after being with them in the huddle and hearing his teammates cheer him on.
“My first time playing with those guys in a real game and that type of setting at a home game. It’s not as loud for us, but at the same time, you’ve got the Giants fans out there chirping and whatever. Those guys were great in the huddle. Makai [Lemon] and Dallas [Goedert] were also great in the huddle, but everybody overall was great in the huddle and just the push and the want to that we wanted in the huddle. It was great.”
He also showed his support for Makai Lemon, who had a rough drop on Sunday, and expressed confidence in the rookie moving forward.
“You’re going to have drops, you’re going to have missed throws, you’re going to fumble, you’re going to do whatever. But at the end of the day, it’s what you’re going to do the next time it shows up. When your opportunity is called, when your name is called, just show up and show out. I trust in Makai that he’ll make that catch next time for sure.”
On his first NFL start
“I felt blessed, more blessed. That’s about it. I felt more blessed than anything. I was able to see my family in the stands, so it was great, but it was also just great to be out there with the guys that I’ve been here training with for the past three weeks and learning and just that communication and connection that the team has and just being a part of it. I love it. It’s great. I wouldn’t ask for no better situation than this.”
