Pederson: Eagles thrilled with WR corps
Doug Pederson shot down reports Wednesday that the Eagles were trying to acquire a wide receiver, namely Chicago’s Alshon Jeffery or San Francisco’s Torrey Smith before the trade deadline.
PHILADELPHIA >> Doug Pederson shot down reports Wednesday that the Eagles were trying to acquire a wide receiver before the trade deadline.
“There’s no legitimacy to that,” Pederson said. “I’m thrilled with the guys we have and going to work with them every day.”
Reports suggested the Eagles wanted to upgrade at the position with Alshon Jeffery or Torrey Smith, who are more accomplished than the current Philly stable of Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Dorial Green-Beckham and Josh Huff. Matthews leads the squad with 25 catches for 354 yards (14.2 average) and two touchdowns.
“Look, you say upgrade, I mean, I think every team is trying to upgrade every position if you could,” Pederson said. “But not at this time.”
Pederson still believes Agholor and Huff can stretch the field in the vertical passing game.
There’s no denying the Eagles could use more production from their receivers. Only 12 teams have more drops than the Eagles, who are at 10 and counting. Their opponent this week, the Cowboys, have a leaguelow two dropped passes.
Wentz has thrown 184 passes and the Eagles have 164 rushes, which is at least partly because the coaching staff wants to protect him. He has described the aerial game as “a very good quick pass game, take shots (down the field) when they’re there.”
It’s a quick pass game because the pass protection could be better, the Eagles still trying to trust rookie fifth-round pick Hal Vaitai at right tackle, where’s he’s replacing the suspended Lane Johnson, and center Jason Kelce playing through plantar fasciitis.
Make no mistake, the Eagles heard the trade rumors. Green-Beckham, who the Eagles acquired just before the season said doubt can creep in.
“It does for certain people,” Green-Beckham said. “In our group, for me, I just got here and I was thinking about it. But I just got here so I don’t think I’m going to end up leaving. For some guys you’ve really got to worry about that and you’ve just got to focus on trying to compete and get better and better every day. It’s a business. Like they say, the NFL stands for not for long. So you’ve got to have that always in your thoughts and take advantage of every opportunity.”
*** NOTES >> Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan (groin) and linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (hamstring) were held out of practice Wednesday. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks (ribs) and wide receiver Jordan Matthews (knee) were limited. Offensive tackle Jason Peters (biceps) was a full participant at practice . ... With Logan a long shot to return this week, look for defensive tackle Taylor Hart, who the Eagles claimed off waivers Tuesday, to be active Sunday night. Hart (6-6, 287) was released by the 49ers. ... Former Eagles defensive tackle Cedric Thornton has one of 11 Cowboys sacks. … The Eagles have won three straight games at AT&T Stadium. The Birds are 4½ point underdogs. … Jerome Boger and his crew officiate Eagles-Cowboys Sunday night. The Eagles have lost three of their last four games officiated by Boger’s crews.