Grugier-Hill sorry for ‘chokers’ comment
PHILADELPHIA >> The real Kamu Grugier-Hill, not the imposter from the previous day, walked the gauntlet to reach his spot near the far end of the Eagles’ locker room Friday.
Grugier-Hill looked at the crowd camped there, took a deep breath and declared “Let’s get this over with.”
While he didn’t call the Dallas Cowboys chokers, as he did earlier in the week, he didn’t take it back, either.
“I mean, it’s a rivalry game,” Grugier-Hill said. “I didn’t really think too much about it. Obviously, I didn’t mean to disrespect this organization or Coach Pederson. But I’ve just got a lot of confidence in our guys, confidence in myself going into this game.”
Grugier-Hill said he apologized to Eagles head coach Doug Pederson for creating the distraction. But he also made it clear he wasn’t seeking absolution. There’s some pretty compelling evidence suggesting that the Cowboys (7-5), who lead the NFC East, are chokers. If there was any justice in this world, Tony Romo would have been doing the TV Sunday, not Troy Aikman, and the game would come down to a bobbled field goal snap.
Pederson was as sympathetic as he could be, given the circumstances.
“He understands,” Grugier-Hill said. “It’s a big rivalry. We all know that. And it’s going to be a great game. It’s a big week. We’ve got a lot going on going into this weekend. We’re just confident in ourselves and confident in the way we play.”
Pederson said the Eagles have “a ton of respect” for the Cowboys, which you can take any way you want. Former Birds kicker David Akers trashed Dallas at the recent draft, telling the crowd there, among other cuts “Hey Dallas, the last time you won the Super Bowl, these draft picks weren’t born.”
Pederson objected to the bulletin board ramifications, although he tried to dismiss that, as well.
“It’s unfortunate that the comments were made,” Pederson said. “I talk to the team a lot about how we don’t need to post anything that can be used on other teams’ websites or bulletin boards. It’s unfortunate that happened. We still have to go play. They have to play. It’s going to be a good football game.”
If the Cowboys (7-5) go after Grugier-Hill, he’ll be ready. But he’s not going to worry about it.
The Eagles (6-6) would move into first place in the division with a victory.
“We’re confident in our guys, confident in this team and our ability to win this game,” Grugier-Hill said.