Birds place five on Pro Bowl roster
PHILADELPHIA >> A rash of injuries and a .500 record didn’t stop the Eagles from having five players selected to the Pro Bowl.
Offensive guard Brandon Brooks, tight end Zach Ertz, center Jason Kelce, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and long snapper Rick Lovato were named to the NFC roster for the Pro Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 26, 2020.
For Brooks and Ertz it was their third straight Pro Bowl selection. Kelco also was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time, but first since 2016.
Cox earned his fifth straight Pro Bowl nod, the most by a defensive tackle in Eagles history. Only Reggie White and Pete Pihos have more consecutive Pro Bowl selections in Eagles history.
Lavato earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
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Greg Ward is trying to enjoy every second of his ride from college quarterback to practice squad wide receiver, to hero.
The six-time Eagles cut hauled in the winning touchdown pass Sunday against the Redskins. When he looks into the eyes of his teammates, he sees no reason for it to end.
“I have no butterflies,” Ward said Tuesday on Sirius Radio. “I’m extremely blessed, I’m extremely happy to be in this position with my teammates. And we’re all happy, man.
We’re ready, we’re really stoked about the opportunity. Our whole mindset is just win, just go win.”
The Eagles (7-7) haven’t played consistently well on offense or defense this season.
But Ward, running backs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott and rookie receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside have given the offense a lift in the wake of injuries to DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery, and running back Jordan Howard.
Offensive coordinator Mike Groh expects the enthusiasm to be there again Sunday when the Eagles oppose the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
It’s a must-win game for the Eagles, who are facing playoff elimination.
“I just look to the last two games and the way they’ve responded with the opportunities they’ve had, the confidence that they’ve displayed, the way that they’ve performed,” Groh said Tuesday. “Every week in the NFL there’s pressure. There’s pressure to perform on every snap, in every game. Every game is intense and closely contested. Those guys have done a tremendous job. We expect nothing less this Sunday.”
Ward’s ascent has been rewarding to Groh, who a couple of years ago was his wide receiver coach. Ward has 18 receptions for 140 yards, including the winner against the Redskins.
“It’s a lot of fun to see Greg have the success that he’s had,” Groh said. “He had to put a lot of work into it, come a long way in terms of his development, transitioning from quarterback to receiver in this league. It wasn’t an easy road. It was a winding road. He stuck to it, continued to believe in himself to go out there and work and get better and put himself in a position to earn a spot — and then take advantage of it. It’s one thing to get out there. But then you have to make plays, take advantage of it, then more plays come to you. He’s done a great job with that.”
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In a locker room video released by the Eagles, head coach Doug Pederson literally tipped his hat to his team after the win over the Redskins.
He then added a request. “Can you make it a little easier next time?” Pederson said.
The place erupted in laughter.
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The Eagles hope to get pass rusher Derek Barnett back from a shoulder injury this week.
Barnett has something to prove. The Eagles dealt Michael Bennett to the Patriots because they were convinced Barnett would be a force. He has 4.5 sacks and is tied with Jason Peters for the team lead with seven penalties.
Bennett, cut by the Patriots, has
6.5 sacks this season. His eight penalties, including five offsides, lead the Cowboys.
“Mike can create some issues obviously one-on-one,” Groh said. “He can get to an edge and put pressure on the quarterback. He’s been able to do that throughout his career. We had him here obviously and he made a lot of those kinds of plays for us. He’s one of those guys that you have to pay special attention to.”
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Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has
84 receptions this season, seventhmost in club history. Ertz holds the record with 116 catches set last year.
With seven more grabs he would be in first and second place. Only Travis Kelce (86) of the Chiefs has more receptions than Ertz this season.
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NOTES >> The Eagles allow just 90.4 rushing yards per game, third in the NFL. The Cowboys average 134.0 rushing yards … The Cowboys (48.6 percent) and the Eagles (47.0) are one, two in the NFL in third-down conversions … The Eagles have lost four straight games to the Cowboys. However, since 2000, the Eagles are 21-18 versus the Cowboys in regular-season games. That 53.8 winning percentage is the Eagles’ highest against an NFC East team in that time.