Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters on Monday following their Week 17 win over the Cowboys, and was requested rather a lot about whether or not he plans to play or relaxation starters on Sunday in opposition to the Giants. He additionally talked about Tanner McKee’s spectacular efficiency, and gave numerous credit score to Cam Jurgens for the group’s success this season.
Right here’s what the pinnacle coach needed to say:
On enjoying starters and harm 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, can have an opportunity to get the all-time speeding file. He gave gamers off on Monday, and stated he’ll at all times inform them about any selections earlier than asserting 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 in opposition to the Giants, noting solely that he has to do what’s finest for the group and what’s finest for every particular person participant.
He additionally didn’t have any replace on Kenny Pickett after the quarterback underwent extra testing on his ribs. Sirianni lauded Pickett and the toughness he confirmed enjoying by the ache and enjoying actually good soccer to assist them win that sport. The top coach didn’t have any extra info as as to if Pickett will play on Sunday in opposition to the Giants.
Whereas he hasn’t made the choice simply but, Sirianni did clarify the way it’s an excellent alternative for depth guys to get some expertise and movie if he does decide to relaxation the starters.
“Once more, I don’t know the place we’re with that but. However anytime anyone’s in a position to play sport reps and significant snaps within the NFL, that’s large. It provides you an analysis course of. It provides these guys a chance that haven’t gotten a chance to play to play significant reps.
That’s at all times large when you are able to do that. Like I stated, we’ll see the place we’re with that, however an excellent 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 among the finest catches I’ve ever seen on. He simply occurred to be slightly bit out of bounds, however the ball was in the proper place. He went [to] the proper place with the soccer.
Correct with the soccer. Ran our offense properly. Received us out and in of checks. Was sound along 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 achieved a very nice job. It’s by no means straightforward to interchange 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 footwear, and I feel he’s achieved a very nice job.
Clearly you have a look at all the pieces first. You have a look at having 13 wins. Cam [Jurgens] is the middle of a 13-win soccer group. He’s obtained to play good for that to occur. He’s performed good for us to have the ability to do this.
You’ve obtained a 2,000-yard rusher, which is particular. The middle’s obtained 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 nice issues he’s achieved based mostly off what this group has achieved. And by no means straightforward 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 in opposition to the Cowboys as a result of they had been specializing in some particular ball placement issues with KaVontae Turpin because the returner. The top coach referred to as Turpin a harmful participant, and credited the Eagles particular groups unit for holding issues contained.
With a postseason sport already on the books, Sirianni was requested if his employees could be beginning to put together for potential playoff opponents. The top coach scoffed on the thought and stated they’re solely centered on someday at a time, and are making 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 speak about every single day, and typically issues occur in clusters. Plus, he included, as soon as guys begin getting turnovers, they’ve slightly extra confidence and expertise and are in a position to get on a roll.
