Pederson says media put words in his mouth
Frustrated Eagles coach accuses media of putting words in his mouth
PHILADELPHIA » Doug Pederson had a meltdown Sunday.
Frustrated by an NFL Network report citing sources saying Nick Foles would start the opener, the Eagles’ head coach took it out on the local media. Hopefully, that won’t be part of the new normal the boss has spoken of.
The starting quarterback Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons?
“First of all, I appreciate all of you putting words in my mouth,” Pederson said. “And therefore, I’m not going to discuss it.”
Pederson wouldn’t specify the words that were put in his mouth, responding “You saw the reports. Next question.”
Pederson said he was lumping all of the media together, although it later was mentioned discreetly that the NFLN report set him off. It stated that Carson Wentz wouldn’t be ready for a couple of weeks in his comeback from knee surgery.
The coach also conceded that Wentz hasn’t been cleared for contact, which at this point is a pretty good determinant he isn’t ready.
“We’ve got a lot of days left,” Pederson countered. “We’ll see.”
That sounded like anything but a vote of confidence for Foles, the Super Bowl MVP who had a rocky turnover and sack-filled preseason. Truth be told, he’s been outplayed by No. 3 quarterback
Nate Sudfeld.
The news conference only got worse for Pederson, who probably should have bounced the ill-timed outburst off his old filter, Frank Reich, before delivering it publicly. Reich is head coach of the Colts.
While it was too late to say delaying a decision on the starting quarterback was due partly to maintaining a competitive advantage over the Falcons, Pederson tried anyway. And it was awkward.
“We’re trying to win a football game, you know?” Pederson said. “And I don’t want to put my game plan out there for everybody to see it, read it. And teams can scheme. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. So, I appreciate it.”
If Pederson is trying to use the perception that the media is putting words in his mouth to motivate his players, it wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened. The coach exhorted the underdog theme played up in the media at every turn in the ride to the Super Bowl LII title.
Pederson could have preempted the NFLN report with an impromptu presser of his own after cuts were being made Saturday. And on Sunday Pederson could have said something like, “I don’t like having words put in my mouth so I’m naming my starting quarterback just so the fans know.” That would have pitted players and fans against the media.
Instead, Pederson put himself on an island.
The new normal, to borrow Pederson’s mantra from the Super Bowl parade, is a lot like the old normal.