With time to think, Eagles still ready to celebrate in L.A.
ANAHEIM, CALIF. » The Eagles had a lot of time to think this week, the typical distractions leading up to games all but forgotten during their stay in Southern California.
And they’ve not just dwelled on the disappointing loss to the Seahawks that exposed them as an outfit that can’t just show up and beat good teams by 23 or more points every week.
Rejuvenated by the sunny, 75-degree weather, the Eagles have been visualizing what they’d done since September — at least before the Seahawks. That would be celebrating. There could be some new wrinkles providing the Eagles do what they think they can do to the Rams Sunday.
“We’ve got some things in store, man,” linebacker Nigel Bradham said. “But the thing is we don’t even practice it. We just say it on the sideline and we go do it. I think that makes it a little more fun because it’s not as routine. We’ve all seen the choreographed dances. So we don’t want to look like that. We want everybody to add their own little personality to it.”
Two weeks ago, the Eagles made
with a series of celebrations from a 31-3 rout of the Bears, their ninth straight victory. It included two electric slides following interceptions, the game safely in hand.
The growing sense was that the Eagles were overdoing it.
“There’s a difference between being cocky and confident,” offensive tackle Lane Johnson said. “I don’t think there was a line crossed. I mean, I never really felt like that. But outsiders looking in, I could see that. But like I said, sometimes a loss is a good thing for us. I think we learned a lot from it.”
Bradham absolutely thinks the Eagles are entitled to as many group celebrations as they desire.
“This is the league,” Bradham said. “We’re not trying to rub nothing in. I don’t think it does because I’ll tell you what, it’s hard to score in this league. Any chance you score, and you’re going against the top players in this league, you deserve to celebrate. Whether you’re up 30 or seven. It’s excitement for us. We enjoy it. Any time you get a chance to celebrate together there’s definitely something good going on.
“So, we want to continue keeping that going. People made jokes or whatnot, saying some things. But we really don’t care. You can say what you want to say — as long as we get that win.” NOTES » Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) and linebacker Joe Walker (neck stinger) are questionable for the Rams . … The Rams listed linebackers Alec Ogletree (elbow) and Connor Barwin (forearm), and wide receiver Robert Woods (shoulder) questionable. … The Eagles entered the game having played the softest schedule in the NFC, the combined record of their opponents 59-85 (.409). The Eagles have beaten just one team that has a winning record, in the Panthers (84). The collective record of the Rams’ opponents is 6778 (.462). The Rams have defeated two teams with winning records, the Jaguars and the Saints.