Outsiders Believe Eagles’ Coach Nick Sirianni Remains On The Hot Seat
Despite his stellar performance, the outside world still believes Nick Sirianni is on the hot seat in Philadelphia.
Nick Sirianni met with the media on a rainy Saturday morning ahead of the first practice since Thursday’s preseason win over the Patriots.
Sirianni was asked a handful of differing questions, speaking through some of what he saw in the preseason game, the backup quarterback position, and the play of Jalen Hurts.
Sirianni on Hurts not having a turnover in Training Camp thus far: “What I’ve seen is, that can go a couple different ways, that can go where he’s not taking risks, but I don’t see it that way. I see him pushing the ball down the field and taking the plays that are there, and when the play that he wants to push downfield’s not there, he’s checking it down. He’s playing really good football and so that’s a product of him, he’s taking what the defense is giving him and that’s good quarterback play.”
“Jalen’s done a really nice job of delivering the football where it needs to go and making great decisions with the football and I couldn’t be more happy with where he is right now and I look forward to him having another good day today.”
The turnover battle is very important to Sirianni and the Eagles, as the coach pulled out a stat that the team is 20-1 when they win the turnover battle in games since 2021.
Hurts didn’t turn the ball over once again in Saturday’s practice, although it was a slower day from the offense as the defense brought pressure upon them throughout the day, blitzing often and getting in the faces of Hurts, Kenny Pickett, and Tanner McKee. Devin White and Jalyx Hunt got pressures to get in the backfield on multiple plays.
LB Zack Baun on the competition within the linebacker position: “We got a lot of good guys in this linebacker room. There’s really not a weak spot, I mean, everyone can play, and we’re really thriving and learning from each other’s mistakes and the things we do well, and we’re there to help each other out, and we’re pushing each other, and we just want to be the best group we can be.”
James Bradberry and Reed Blankenship both had pass breakups on separate occasions in the end zone to avoid offensive touchdowns. Cooper DeJean saw some action with the first team at the nickel position as he continued to ramp up his return from injury.
Sirianni on DeJean’s role and where they could play him at: “We’ll see where he is as far as, you don’t want to overload a guy at the beginning. Looking forward to watching him practice today, ramping it up even more today. You have to take each guy as its own case, so, you look at the situation that the team has and then you also look at what the guy can do, so time will tell. Look forward to seeing him go out there and roll today.”
The highlight of the day came offensively, when Hurts threw a touchdown to A.J. Brown on an out route as pressure came quickly./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72004726/1467158606.0.jpg)
Always improving
LT Jordan Mailata on Hurts: “From last year to this year the growth that I’ve seen, just from him as a player, amazing. Taking control of that playbook and what’s his, making sure that he knows that everyone is on the same page. He’s taken a big leap, so I’m excited and I can’t wait for you guys to see that.”
Iron sharpens iron
WR DeVonta Smith on the battle between receivers and corners throughout camp: “It helps a lot. You know, have guys competing on both sides, because at the end of the day, when you come out here and you work as hard as we work when you get in the game, it’s going to be easy.”
