Hargrave knows D-line must bring the heat on Dalton
The night before Christmas will take on a somber note for Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who after an injury-marred start has evolved into the disruptive threat he was with the Steelers.
With the strict COVID-19 protocol in place for NFL players, Hargrave felt it best to spend this holiday away from family members. Typically, they fly in for the games and the holidays.
One Christmas tradition won’t change, though.
“I like eating Frosted Flakes and watching The Grinch,” Hargrave said Thursday. “So that’s going to be the same.”
That said there is professional hope for Hargrave, who has 3.0 of his 4.5 sacks in his last three starts.
The Eagles (4-9-1) still have a shot at getting into the postseason. A third-round draft pick, Hargrave (6-3, 305) started four playoff games for the Steelers in 2016-17. The last two seasons they didn’t get in.
To stay relevant, the Eagles need to defeat the Dallas Cowboys (5-9) Sunday at AT&T Stadium and cross their fingers that Washington (6-8) and the New York Giants (5-5) lose to Carolina and Baltimore, respectively. Those results would set up a winnertake-all showdown between the Eagles and Washington one week from Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
“It’s basically a must-win for us,” Hargrave said. “That’s kind of our approach. I mean that’s our approach every week but it’s really no different this week. It’s a must-win. We just have to focus in and get this W.”
Hargrave knows a lot about Cowboys starting quarterback Andy Dalton, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers were 5-0 against Dalton in Hargrave’s tour. Hargrave sacked the red-haired quarterback twice.
The Cowboys have won two straight games with Dalton. The last time these teams met the Eagles rolled to a 23-9 victory over Cowboys, who started rookie Ben DiNucci at quarterback. Carson Wentz started at quarterback for the Eagles, not rookie Jalen Hurts, who is 1-1 as the guy.
“Andy Dalton is a veteran guy,” Hargrave said. “I went up against him in Cincinnati. He’s a guy who gets the ball out fast and makes great decisions. So, we’ve got our hands full on this one and I’m looking forward to it.”
Though the Eagles return cornerback Darius Slay this week, the secondary remains decimated by injury. Safety Rodney McLeod and cornerback Avonte Maddox are done for the season with knee injuries. Slay and rookie Michael Jacquet will start at cornerback.
It’s up to the pass rush to lessen the burden on the back end. With 44 sacks, the Eagles are tied with the Los Angeles Rams for second in the NFL. Hargrave is a complement to Pro Bowl pass rushers Brandon Graham (7.0 sacks) and tackle Fletcher Cox (6.5).
“BG is playing at a high level,” Hargrave said. “He’s a guy who can take care of his body like no other.
“Fletch is a freak. Fletch is a dog. He’s got one of the craziest club moves. I get on him every day about how he’s got so much power with those small legs. Fletch is just a different beast, man. I can’t say enough about him.”
It might not be the Christmas holiday Hargrave is used to. He already misses the family. But safety is first.
“I usually have my family here for all the games and coming up for all the holidays,” Hargrave said. “So, that’s a big thing for me.”
Reaching the playoffs, on the other hand, would take some of the edge off.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson
kidded that all he wants for Christmas is “maybe a little rest, Maybe a little sleep.”
Pederson is bringing the players in for a quick Christmas practice, after which he’ll get together with his family.
“My three boys, three sons are in town and my wife,” Pederson said. “And just spending time with family and that to me is what it’s all about.”
Veteran safety Jalen Mills has been a resource for his younger teammates, offering them dinner if they have nowhere to go.
Slay is OK after the concussion he sustained last week.
“I’m good,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
In all seriousness, Slay was close to being available to play against the Cardinals but decided against it because it was his second concussion in a span of a few weeks.
“I just thought about my mental health,” Slay said. “My health does come first. And my family, I want to be there for my kids. At the end of the day, I love this game but this game will always continue without me. So, I’m going to enjoy it while I’m here and I’m going to be safe while I’m doing it. So, I thought it was best for us to just sit this one out, rest the mind, let my brain heal and come back stronger.”
Slay has averaged almost three interceptions since coming into the league in 2013. He has no picks this year, marking the longest drought since he failed to intercept a ball in his rookie season.
“They’re going to come when they come,” Slay said. “I’d love to have them. I’ve still got two more games left.”