Vaitai improving with help from timely texts
PHILADELPHIA » You maybe have heard the stories about injured Eagles players offering personalized scouting reports to healthy teammates leading up to game days.
Much of the time, the selfless suggestions arrive in the form of text messages or FaceTime calls from as far away as San Diego, where running back Darren Sproles is rehabbing from knee and forearm injuries.
The advice hasn’t hurt as the Eagles (91) haven’t skipped a beat without their core group of injured veterans, including offensive tackle Jason Peters, linebacker Jordan Hicks, Sproles and special teams standout Chris Maragos.
In the case of offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, the advice has even come during the game. Peters, ever the perfectionist, is so particular about Vaitai’s form that it cannot wait until the fifth quarter.
“Yeah, he’ll text some guys on the staff and then they try to relay that message to me,” Vaitai said Tuesday. “When we played against Denver, he texted one of the guys who came up to me and said, ‘Big V, you’re over-setting.’
“I said OK, bit.”
Vaitai gave up a sack in that game to Von Miller, the top pass-rusher in the league. It I need to calm down a little was one of the few bumps in the road for Vaitai, the 2016 fifth-round pick out of TCU, who has started three straight games since Peters tore up a knee.
“The good thing is JP is still on my side,” Vaitai said. “He still texts me every now and then before the game. And he calls me after the game and tells me what I need to work on.”
Even with a near certain Hall of Famer in his corner, Vaitai is extremely critical of his own play. While the coaches think Vaitai is a solid pass protector, it’s not like they don’t rotate a back or a tight end to help on his side, or throw deep every down he plays.
Vaitai said if he had to grade his play, the mark would, “Not be very high.
“The reason why is I don’t feel like I’m doing the best I can at left tackle,” Vaitai said. “I’m working very, very hard to achieve that goal. I tend to second-guess, and I rush through things. I need to be more patient.”
Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich is impressed with the heart Vaitai brings to his job. He isn’t flashy. Rather, he’s steady, although the block he made to help spring Jay Ajayi for a 71-yard run on the Cowboys was textbook.
“I would say his pass blocking has been excellent,” Reich said. “But I look at this last game, obviously we ran the ball very well. And that long run that Jay had in this last game where Big V is pulling, it was really good. … That particular block was a tough block and showed how athletic he was, and how his hips and leverage got into the block, creating just enough of a hole for Jay along with Brandon Brooks. I think he’s made improvements in both areas.”
The Eagles rushed for 215 yards against the Cowboys, the highest total in the league this year.
*** What does a 6-6, 317-pound football player like to eat on Thanksgiving? Dessert. “I’m not really big on Thanksgiving, to be honest with you,” Johnson said. “I like the desserts. Cheese cake, cookies, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, whatever they’re cooking. Actually, Grandma does it pretty good. And mom.”
*** NOTES » Kicker Jake Elliott made a brief appearance in the open locker room Tuesday but the Eagles kept him from commenting about the head injury he suffered Sunday night. Elliott is in concussion protocol. Kicker Caleb Sturgis, rehabbing a hip, didn’t pop his head in. If Elliott isn’t cleared to play, the Eagles could conceivably turn to Sturgis, who’s on the reserve/injured list, designated for return. … Carson Wentz leads the league with 25 touchdown passes. Tom Brady is next with 22, and Russell Wilson has 21. … The Eagles agreed to a seven-year deal with Entercom Communications to keep their football games broadcast on WIP Radio, 94.1-FM. The pact locks up the rights through 2024.