Doug annoyed by constant Wentz questions
PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles were slated to practice in their lightweight shells Sunday. Just what they needed to get the soreness out and the starters zoned in on the season-opener one week from Thursday.
Instead there was an abrupt change to full equipment, shoulder pads and all. It got the attention of the players, who were anything but surprised to hear how curt a very haggard looking Doug Pederson was with reporters during his noon news conference.
“I think he’s just tired,” one player said. “I don’t know how much he’s slept.”
It would be tough for any head coach to sleep well managing the stress Pederson has these days. His best player, quarterback Carson Wentz, still hasn’t been cleared for contact by the medical people.
Wentz’s knee has been healthy enough for him to practice. But with each passing day it’s become clearer that Pederson has no real say in managing the workload of his star. Dancing around questions doesn’t help. It makes him sound cranky, argumentative.
If Pederson’s lack of a voice in the Wentz rehab process wasn’t obvious before, it should be after his edgy response to questions about what the medical people needed to see to clear Wentz to play.
“I’ll probably have to punt that question to the doctors,” Pederson said.
Did you know that Fourth Down Doug isn’t a big fan of punts?
Later there was a contentious exchange between Pederson and reporters inquiring about the timeline, and when the coach had to know to get his offense ready for the Atlanta Falcons. You would think that would be helpful in formulating the old game plan.
Instead of answering transparently, Pederson did his vague routine again and again. That makes everybody roll their eyes.
Wentz isn’t the only stressor for Pederson. The offensive line that was the strength of the team during the Super Bowl run has a gaping hole on the left side. Halapoulavaati Vaitai looks lost. Unless 36-year-old veteran Jason Peters can turn back the clock less than a year removed from ACL surgery, and play fulltime at left tackle, Vaitai also is going to spend time there protecting the blindside of Wentz. Providing, of course, that Wentz is cleared to play.
The way Nick Foles has struggled, and looked old doing so, this would be a good time to send the doctors prime rib and lobster.
Two weeks ago, Vaitai was beaten for a sack that shook Foles up so badly he thought something snapped in his neck.
Last week Foles was sacked three times, once for a safety, in a 5-0 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He also threw two interceptions. Think he has confidence in the line right now?
The Eagles have nine turnovers in 12 preseason quarters, much of it due to the quarterback play.
There are other concerns for Pederson. Alshon Jeffery, the team’s top receiver, hasn’t taken a snap the entire offseason as he’s rehabbed a torn rotator cuff. Defensive tackle Tim Jernigan (back surgery) hasn’t practiced.
Jeffery managed the rotator injury most of last season. It would surprise no one if the Eagles waivedinjured Jernigan.
All of the uncertainty has left Pederson a wreck in this, the season he wants to prove the Super Bowl title wasn’t a fluke, and that he’s worth every last nickel of the contract extension given him by Jeffrey Lurie.
In five days, the Eagles must release, trade or otherwise reclassify 37 players to get down to the 53-man limit. That also begins the churning of the bottom of the roster, and the formation of the practice squad. Pederson’s input is needed there.
The final preseason game is Thursday against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. It has little drama, as many of the participants will be among the cuts.
All of that stuff can tire a coach. Players said Pederson was worn out after spending Friday in New York being interviewed for his book, “Fearless; how an underdog becomes a champion.”
Just imagine what that must have been like.
Interviewer: Doug, what were you thinking when you learned Carson Wentz tore his ACL and would miss the rest of the season after his 11-2 start?
Pederson: Clearing him for contact in 2018 would be the doctor’s decision.
From the rash of preseason turnovers and sacks to the health of his franchise quarterback, Wentz, and areas in between, Pederson has a lot on his mind.
The Falcons are a tough opener. With Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, they have the firepower to make any team look bad.
The defensive line is pretty good, too, with edge rushers Vic Beasley and Takkarist McKinley and a ton of depth inside. The Falcons use a five-man rush that exploits mismatches.
If Wentz is cleared for the opener, how mobile will he be having not played football since last December? And again, how long can Peters last? It will be his first game in almost a year.
You can tell the stress is catching up to Pederson when he cracks the whip and gives the order to practice in full gear.
Right now that’s one of the few things the Eagles’ head coach can control.