Wentz has fan in Arians

PHILADELPHIA » The man, the myth and the legend that is Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is a cross between Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger.

Wentz has a fan in Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, who doesn’t waste praise on the undeserving.

“I loved him coming out,” Arians said Wednesday on a conference call. “He really reminded me a lot of Andrew Luck. Big, strong and physical. Played in a pro offense. Had that linebacker mentality playing quarterback and it shows up in his toughness. He can really hurt you out of the pocket, and in the pocket. He’s such a good athlete that he reminds me a lot of Ben in a lot of ways, how he just throws guys off in the pocket and then makes big plays down the field.”

Wentz has done all of that and more in a 3-1 start better than even the Eagles expected.

Only Cam Newton and the

Panthers (51.9 percent) are better on third down than the Eagles, who are turning 50.8 percent of their chances into first downs. It’s a stat Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers would envy.

“It’s just preparation, knowing your best answers,” Wentz said. “And then Coach (Doug Pederson) is putting us in the right places. And then the ability to make plays. It’s not always going to be perfect. I think sometimes just the playmaking ability comes from both my end and the receivers’ end. I think we’ve done a good job there.”

Wentz has thrown six touchdown passes and two interceptions this season. The picks came when he was sacked eight times in the first two games. It’s not a coincidence he hasn’t turned the ball over the past two games. Or that Wentz has used his authority to change plays to get the Eagles into promising run situations.

“It was kind of unspoken,” Wentz said of the ground game. “Honestly I think everyone around here kind of knew that was lacking to some extent. I think most of the O-line and the running backs just kind of took it upon themselves to get the job done.”

LeGarrette Blount rushed for 136 yards on 16 carries last week, including a 68-yarder with about 99 stiff arms and broken tackles. It’s the Cardinals (22) turn to deal it with this Sunday.

“Hell, LeGarrette, he’s a handful every time he gets the ball,” Arians said. “For a big man he can make you miss. And he can run you over and make you look bad. And that offensive line is solid. I mean those are all big time guys. Adding Alshon (Jeffery), Nelson (Agholor), Torrey (Smith), they’ve got a ton of weapons so that kind of helps. But it all starts with the running game.”

Wentz’s 60.5 completion percentage is 20th in the league, his 90.5 passer rating, 16th. On third down Wentz’s passer rating of 107.2 is seventh in the NFL, trailing Brady (131.7), Rodgers, Alex Smith and others.

The Eagles lead the league in time of possession. Last week the stat helped them get out of California with a two-point win over the Chargers. The Birds killed the last 6 minutes, 44 seconds of that contest, converting three third downs with runs.

“I think we’ve done some good things on third down,” Wentz said. “I think we can still do better on third down, especially in the red zone ... That whole O-line has been playing unbelievable. They’re playing kind of hissed off. They have kind of just have an attitude about them which is awesome to see. To have those five guys in front of me and to lead the way for those running backs is pretty special.”

The Eagles are a touchdown favorite to beat the Cardinals. Both teams are dealing with injury issues.

The Eagles have played almost two full games without their best player, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who still isn’t practicing due to a calf issue.

The Cardinals are getting it done without running back David Johnson, who Arians thinks is the best in the league.

All of that said it’s the second straight 3-1 start for the Eagles. The success this year seems sustainable as offensive tackle Lane Johnson hasn’t been suspended, the roster has been upgraded and Wentz has learned how hard it is to win in the NFL.

Wentz drew some stares in the offseason when he said the Eagles, “without a doubt,” had the pieces in place to make a playoff run. The first quarter of the season is proof.

“We’re just in a different place,” Wentz said. “We’re a different team. At the same time we’ve still got to work. We’ve still got to prepare every week. I think just showing that we can win on the road, that we can win close ball games, find a way to win and pull these ones out, I just know it’s the character makeup of this team. We’re kind of just in a different place. So I’m very confident in what we can do.”