[ad_1]
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters on Monday after getting a chance to rewatch the film of Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs, and he spoke a bit about Miles Sanders’ workload, of what he sees of the team’s defense, as well as how his message has become harsher on the need to reduce penalties. Sirianni also detailed some areas where he would always like to see Jalen Hurts improve, and why one of those areas is more of a group effort.
Here’s what the head coach had to say:
On the offensive line
Sirianni declined to say whether they expected Lane Johnson to return to training this week, and only reiterated that he was dealing with a personal matter. The head coach pointed out that both Jack Driscoll and Nate Herbig got very high marks thanks to their performances on Sunday, so they were happy with the way these two stepped in and played.
On Miles Sanders’ workload
“Sometimes with us in our racing game we read stuff, don’t we? This is a reading where Jalen [Hurts] can run it, a read where he can pull it. There are more calls to Miles than appears on the statistics sheet. I think you understand that. Sometimes the defense dictates – just like a catcher you plan to go down with, you want to throw it at her, but the defense dictates what she gives you.
It’s the style of attack that we run and play, is that we try to keep a guy unlocked sometimes and we read them, sometimes he gets hits depending on what the defense is playing, sometimes he doesn’t. does not.
There isn’t – we have the ultimate confidence in Miles. You saw what he did when he hit a few touches in space the other day with those two 10-plus-yard gains he had on catches. Again, this is nothing he does. It’s just that the readings take the quarterback somewhere else with the ball. But we can’t wait to take him further in our attack. “
On the defense of the Eagles
Sirianni was asked specifically about the Eagles’ run defense and how many yards they’ve given up over the past two weeks, and he accepted some of the blame. He said that as a head coach he is ultimately responsible for the whole team, but as coaches they have to do a better job of putting the players in a position to be successful. . He noted that execution also needs to be better.
“When you play a little more open covers in the middle of the field as we play, we have to be able to do more things with the front, be able to change some things on the front and create some problems for the offense so that they can’t not just run it when you’re in those middle field openings.
Sirianni went on to explain that when they’re in some of the open midfield covers the big passing plays are limited, but if they don’t do the right things up front the running play can be sensitive. . He acknowledged that any time a team runs for 200 yards you have to look at the coach first, and they were really critical of themselves in their Monday meetings.
The head coach said he’s still very confident in defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, and the defense looked good in the first two weeks against Atlanta and San Francisco. But, he admitted that after games where the defense allowed 35 and 42 points respectively, that is not enough. Sirianni, however, said he still has confidence in the defensive coach and the players and knows they will be able to turn the tide.
Later, Sirianni was asked about Fletcher Cox and his performance so far this season, and he admitted that like offense, they have to do a better job letting their playmakers make plays. So, they have to do different things to free Cox.
“I’ve said it before, I believe it too, there’s a lot of attention for Fletch. It frees Javon [Hargrave] on another side. It frees up other guys to play games. Javon did a really good job making parts. Our linebackers must also continue to do their part. When Fletch is in doubles, Javon has to make a play, the linebacker has to make a play. We have to do more to make him a little more isolated, but we also have to make the play with the players when they are not isolated. , and it has to be able to unfold and reach football.
Again, I still believe, I know the stats aren’t there, but I know he’s a game-changer – he’s doing things to help us even though the stats aren’t there. But like I said, we have to make sure we allow him to eat too.
On penalties
It was pointed out that over 60% of the penalties came from guys with three or more years of experience, and Sirianni has recognized that flags have an impact on games and that’s something they talk about a lot. He noted that it’s his job to improve the team in all aspects and that penalties are an issue for them right now, but the message has gotten harder this week as they insist that they have to stop.
“I’m not sure there are a lot of teams that spend as much time on it as we do. But here’s the thing, we know – when you have penalties demanded of you and when you commit penalties, because we do them, it’s not like we do – they happen and we do. When that happens, right, it can kind of snowball in the sense that – the umpires next time or the coaching staff next time are going to come out and say, “Hey, these. guys have a problem with that. They’re offside here, they do these things a lot. Now they are looking for this thing.
The head coach also pointed out that opponents can use their penchant for penalties as an advantage and throw harder counts and other things to trip them up.
On Jalen hurts
After Sunday’s loss, Sirianni noted that Jalen Hurts’ performance was one of the best he’s seen from a quarterback – dating back to his days with the Colts and Chargers. The head coach was asked what the young quarterback needs to work on to be even better.
He stressed that what he saw from Hurts on Sunday was consistency, and that’s what impressed him the most against the Chiefs, that he continually makes good plays and decisions with football, was accurate with throws and scrambling when needed.
“I still want it – we’ve talked about this before, there was a moment or two where I was like, ‘Stay in that pocket and tear this thing up here before you escape here on the other side.
Again, I also know its strengths. I don’t want to lock him up on it. I don’t want to put anything on him that prevents him from playing. There is a fine line there.
Another thing the head coach pointed out was that Hurts have to run in scrums a lot, but they have to make big plays in those situations – although, he noted, these are the product of all players. adept at working to open up while Hurts is jostling each other. Sirianni said this is an area they need to practice more in order for it to translate into game day.
[ad_2]
Source link