Eagles’ Wentz impresses Redskins coach Gruden
PHILADELPHIA — Jay Gruden would rather coach against Carson Wentz once every four years instead of twice each season.
He can blame the Cleveland Browns.
When the Browns traded the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft to Philadelphia for a slew of draft picks, the Eagles selected Wentz. He’s been the franchise quarterback they expected.
Wentz has started every game since his arrival, going 12-10. The Eagles (5-1) lead the NFC East and are first in the conference entering tonight’s game against Gruden and the Washington Redskins (3-2).
“I think he’s progressed at a rate as fast as anybody I’ve seen really,” Gruden said about Wentz. “His ability to make plays in the pocket, his ability to stay in the pocket in the face of a rush and still deliver balls accurately, his command of the offense.”
Wentz is one of the favorites to win the NFL MVP award, according to oddsmakers.
“I think he’s already proven this short in his career that he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league, quite frankly, and he’s going to be for a long time,” Gruden said. “And I don’t know how he got to Philadelphia. And I’m very upset about that.”
Joe Thomas, who has been the one thing Cleveland could count on during a decade of losing, missed the first play of his 11-year NFL career with an injured left triceps. He could miss the rest of the season.
The offensive tackle had been on the field for 10,363 consecutive snaps before he had to leave in the third quarter of the 12-9 loss to Tennessee.
CARDINALS: Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer will need surgery on a broken left arm and is expected to miss eight weeks.
SEAHAWKS: Wide receiver Doug Baldwin shoved Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable during a second quarter player huddle on the sidelines during Sunday’s 24-7 win over the Giants. After the game, Baldwin took full responsibility and apologized to Cable.
SUPER BOWL: Justin Timberlake has been invited back to the Super Bowl halftime show, 14 years after the “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson caused a national ontroversy.
BILLS: Buffalo kicker Stephen Hauschka tied an NFL record by making 12 consecutive field goals from 50 yards or longer.
COWBOYS: Forced into emergency kicking duties after Dan Bailey went down with a right groin injury in the second half, safety Jeff Heath made two of three extra points in the Cowboys’ 40-10 victory over the 49ers.
“I saw Morten Andersen go into the Hall of Fame in Canton. I don’t know if he has anything on Jeff Heath,” Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said.