Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters on Monday following their Week 17 win over the Cowboys, and was requested quite a bit about whether or not he plans to play or relaxation starters on Sunday towards the Giants. He additionally talked about Tanner McKee’s spectacular efficiency, and gave numerous credit score to Cam Jurgens for the workforce’s success this season.
Right here’s what the pinnacle coach needed to say:
On taking part in starters and damage updates
Sirianni stated that he nonetheless wasn’t able to make or announce any determination concerning whether or not starters will play, or if Saquon Barkley, particularly, could have an opportunity to get the all-time speeding document. He gave gamers off on Monday, and stated he’ll at all times inform them about any selections earlier than saying them publicly.
The top coach additionally didn’t have any replace on Jalen Hurts and the way he’s progressing by the concussion protocol. If Hurts is cleared this week, Sirianni wouldn’t say if he would play on Sunday towards the Giants, noting solely that he has to do what’s greatest for the workforce and what’s greatest for every particular person participant.
He additionally didn’t have any replace on Kenny Pickett after the quarterback underwent further testing on his ribs. Sirianni lauded Pickett and the toughness he confirmed taking part in by the ache and taking part in actually good soccer to assist them win that recreation. The top coach didn’t have any extra info as as to whether Pickett will play on Sunday towards the Giants.
Whereas he hasn’t made the choice simply but, Sirianni did clarify the way it’s a superb alternative for depth guys to get some expertise and movie if he does choose to relaxation the starters.
“Once more, I don’t know the place we’re with that but. However anytime anyone’s capable of play recreation reps and significant snaps within the NFL, that’s big. It offers you an analysis course of. It offers these guys a chance that haven’t gotten a chance to play to play significant reps.
That’s at all times big when you are able to do that. Like I stated, we’ll see the place we’re with that, however a superb alternative if that’s the manner we go.”
On Tanner McKee’s efficiency
“Clearly he had, what, 3-for-4 with two touchdowns. That’s fairly darn good. Then threw one other one which A.J. [Brown] made in all probability probably the greatest catches I’ve ever seen on. He simply occurred to be a bit of bit out of bounds, however the ball was in the precise place. He went [to] the precise place with the soccer.
Correct with the soccer. Ran our offense properly. Acquired us out and in of checks. Was sound together with his communication on the line of scrimmage and within the huddle. He did numerous good issues.”
On Cam Jurgens’ season
“I feel he’s finished a very nice job. It’s by no means simple to exchange a legend, which everyone knows how particular of a participant and chief Jason Kelce was. So he’s needed to step in and fill these sneakers, and I feel he’s finished a very nice job.
Clearly you have a look at every part first. You have a look at having 13 wins. Cam [Jurgens] is the middle of a 13-win soccer workforce. He’s bought to play good for that to occur. He’s performed good for us to have the ability to do this.
You’ve bought a 2,000-yard rusher, which is particular. The middle’s bought to play good for that to occur as properly.
I feel all of the writing is on the wall of how good of soccer he’s performed and all the great issues he’s finished primarily based off what this workforce has finished. And by no means simple to do what he needed to do there, however he’s actually performed good soccer by these 16 video games.”
Different notables
Sirianni defined that that they had Jake Elliott deal with kick-offs as a substitute of Brandon Mann towards the Cowboys as a result of they have been specializing in some particular ball placement issues with KaVontae Turpin because the returner. The top coach known as Turpin a harmful participant, and credited the Eagles particular groups unit for maintaining issues contained.
With a postseason recreation already on the books, Sirianni was requested if his workers could be beginning to put together for potential playoff opponents. The top coach scoffed on the concept and stated they’re solely centered on at some point at a time, and are getting ready for the Giants.
When requested in regards to the protection lastly getting takeaways, Sirianni stated that it’s one thing they work on and discuss every single day, and generally issues occur in clusters. Plus, he included, as soon as guys begin getting turnovers, they’ve a bit of extra confidence and expertise and are capable of get on a roll.
