Sirianni doesn’t seem eager to pick up Beckham’s baggage
PHILADELPHIA » Publicly, the Eagles haven’t ruled out kicking the tires on available wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is expected to be officially waived by the Cleveland Browns on Monday and become a free agent.
But head coach Nick Sirianni sounds committed to a young group of receivers, not the 29-year-old talent wracked by inconsistency, injuries and drama.
“We’re always looking to make the team better and we’ll keep all those conversations inside,” Sirianni said Friday. “I can’t speak on any rumors, whatever that’s out there. But (we’re) always looking for opportunities to make our team better. With that being said, though, I really feel good about our wide receiver room. I think they’re growing. I think we’ve got three young guys that really can make plays and they’re continuing to make plays.”
That would be rookie firstround pick DeVonta Smith, who leads the Eagles with 33 receptions for 421 yards with one TD, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins. Reagor has 20 catches for 165 yards and two TDs, Watkins 20 grabs for 366 yards.
None of them have the baggage that goes with Beckham. The latest load is a video released by his father that is critical of quarterback Baker Mayfield for not throwing more to his son. Beckham has 17 receptions for 232 yards (13.6 ypr) in six games this season.
Sirianni said not only does he like his three young guys, “I feel good about their backups, as well.
“Greg Ward and JJ (Arcega-Whiteside) and some of the guys, Deon Cain, that we have on the practice squad, and John Hightower, who we have on the practice squad,” Sirianni said. “And KeeSean Johnson, who we have on the practice squad. I feel good about that room.”
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Speaking of Smith, Sirianni conceded the rookie reminds him in some ways of Keenan Allen, the extraordinary talent on the Chargers. If Smith is a fraction as productive as Allen, he’ll be well worth the investment. Sirianni is an expert on Allen having coached him.
“I’ve said it before, I think DeVonta has some Keenan Allen-type qualities off the line of scrimmage,” Sirianni said. “And so, with the release stuff, we look at quite a bit of that with Keenan Allen. But I just don’t like to zero in on just one person. I don’t care who it is, if it’s a college game and I see somebody work a good release, I might pull that into my teach tape.”
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The Eagles will be without the services of ArcegaWhiteside (ankle) this Sunday against the Chargers. But Reagor (ankle), Harris (hand) and Driscoll (thumb) all will be back in the lineup. The Eagles will make a decision Saturday about whether to activate tight end Tyree Jackson. That’s when Jackson’s return from IR window expires.
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Fletcher Cox thought he was going to be traded, but he’s made peace with management, proof positive his glowing
approval of the job done by defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who he very publicly ripped for being too passive a couple of weeks ago.
When Cox was asked about the game Gannon called last week, one in which the Eagles collected a season-high six sacks in a 44-6 romp over the Lions, Cox caught himself.
“I think Jon called a great game last week,” said Cox, who had none of the sacks and played a season-low 27 snaps. “He’s been doing a good job with everything.”
The soon-to-be 31-year-old defensive tackle was given a heads up by Sirianni and Howie Roseman right up until the trade deadline. Cox ultimately was saved by the bell and his high-priced salary. He’s worth more as an aging overpaid player than he was in trade capital and dead cap money.
“They wanted me here,” Cox said. “Mr. Lurie wanted me here, the organization wanted me here. I want to be here. I’m happy to be here. I’m ready to move on from all the noise that went on.”