QB Sudfeld comfortable with backup role
Backup QB Sudfeld aims to be supportive, ‘not Superman’
PHILADELPHIA >> Not that the Eagles have many alternatives, but backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld has projected necessary competence early in training camp.
“I have always been comfortable with Nate,” Doug Pederson said.
That much became clear when the Eagles chose not to supplement Carson Wentz with an accomplished NFL backup after Nick Foles left as a free agent for Jacksonville. With that, Sudfeld was promoted from No. 3 to No. 2.
In a workout Monday, Sudfeld appeared at ease with the backup unit, completing multiple passes to his tight ends. Though he produced no throws of the make-thefans-holler variety, he showed that his first two years with the Eagles had him ready for the basics.
“I am not trying to be Superman, even though there are natural instincts to throw the deep ball every time,” he said. “But I want to make the smart play every time. So they can trust me.”
Pederson has not revealed a quarterback rotation for the preseason games, which will begin next Thursday against visiting Tennessee. But Sudfeld will be high in the mix with Wentz, rookie Clayton Thorson and veteran Cody Kessler.
With Wentz recovering from a knee injury and unable to play in the last preseason, Sudfeld saw the bulk of the action, completing 43 of 74 passes for five touchdowns. If asked, he will be ready for a similar workload this season.
“You don’t want to make too much out of it,” he said. “But if I am fortunate to get the reps I did last year, I will be prepared and ready to go. And when it comes, I will put my best foot forward. If the coaches trust me, I will put the ball in my teammates’ hands, be fast and be decisive.”
Kessler has made 12 starts over three years with the Browns and Jaguars. Thorson, a fifth-round draft choice from Northwestern, has caught Pederson’s attention.
“Clayton is improving every day,” the head coach said. “He’s getting a little bit better. He’s seeing the field a little bit better, making some nice throws, anticipatory-type throws, throwing things on time, rhythm, things that we teach our quarterbacks. He is just showing improvement every day.”
••• NOTES >> Mack Hollins, ever challenged to remain active, was held out of practice Monday with a “lower body” injury, according to Pederson, who stressed that the injury was not related to the sports hernia and groin issues that kept the wide receiver inactive for all of last season. … As a rookie in 2017, Hollins appeared in 10 games and scored one touchdown. … Cre’Von LeBlanc remains “week to week” with a foot injury, said Pederson, who added, “maybe longer.” … Pederson on rookie running back Miles Sanders, the second-round draft pick from Penn State: “He’s continuing to improve and show us some things. Each day he’ll get a little bit more and more and kind of lead up to this first game.”