Joe Milton hasn't had much time to get comfortable in the City of Brotherly Love. You may have heard. He took a job there, and a lot was riding on the opportunity. His first Philadelphia Eagles game doubled as his first NFL start. Much of what he learned, at least from the outside looking in, is that he has a pretty good idea that a lot of work remains.
He struggled through a difficult afternoon against theNew York Giants, taking seven sacks andfailing to get the offense moving after halftime. With the Eagles heading into their bye week on a seven-game losing streak, Milton isn't planning to spend much time away from the facility.
He spoke with the media post-game. When asked about his plans for the break, Milton said he expects to stay in Philadelphia
and keep working with his teammates. The extra time should give him a chance to get more comfortable with the offense and build chemistry with the players around him.
"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."
Joe Milton appreciates the fight inside the locker room
Despite another frustrating loss, Milton came away impressed by his teammates' effort and support. He acknowledged that the Eagles have plenty to clean up, but said their encouragement throughout his first start made an impression.
"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."
Milton also pointed to the communication and encouragement he received inside the huddle. He specifically mentioned Dallas Goedert and Makai Lemon.
"I mean, I feel like I grew a better bond with the whole offense, just being in that huddle, hearing those guys keep cheering me on and the fight that they have and just the communication aspect of it. For my first three – 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 and Dallas 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."
Milton knows the Eagles need better execution. Little mystery surrounded Philadelphia's second-half collapse. The Eagles managed zero yards across three third-quarter possessions, and Milton didn't try to dress up the performance when asked how the offense could get out of its rut.
"Execute, trying to get a touchdown, trying to move the chains, get a sufficient drive going, trying to get across the 50. That's pretty much it."
He also credited the Giants' defense for applying pressure and making plays.
"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. It was a great cause by the defensive coordinator."
Milton has plenty to work on during the break, and his decision to remain in Philadelphia suggests he understands the importance of using that time productively. The Eagles need considerably more than encouraging words and good intentions when they return, but the quarterback appears ready to put in the work.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Joe Milton expects Eagles to spend much of bye week working in Philly
