The Moneyball aspect is clearly a part of DePodesta’s DNA as an executive but hindsight now says he handed Wentz and Philadelphia some bulletin-board material in advance of Sunday’s opener when he explained the team’s thinking back before the beginning of training camp. “I’ll probably know more further down this week as far as that goes”. It’s not going to hinder me in any way moving forward. Even going in the first preseason game, I felt very confident, felt like I’ve developed at a fast pace, and now it’s here. “I’m excited for it”. “Hopefully we can string some wins together”, Pederson said.
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Trading Bradford was the final obstacle in his path.
“Everybody feels like this kid is ready to go and we drafted him to take on the reins and it’s something now we are prepared to do”. Would an ideal situation be later than sooner? We’re going to run the ball, we have to protect the football, we’re going to play great defense, we’re going to take our shots when we take shots. “All the pieces are here for him to be successful and for us to win some games”.
“Told same as @caplannfl: It’s the Carson Wentz show in Philly when he’s healthy”. We’ve got a lot of talent on offense … Daniel came to the Eagles expecting an opportunity to compete for the starting job – and his contract indicated the Eagles were serious about his role on the team.
Wentz should be given more than one season to prove himself.
Pederson said Wentz has been assured that he will not be on a short leash.
Pederson said the reaction of the players to the news that Wentz would be the season-opening starter was entirely positive. “There’s nothing different I need to do now. It’s still football, still be the same guy”.
Wentz seemed undaunted by any additional pressure that might come his way.
On Monday, Eagles coach Doug Pederson named Carson Wentz his starting quarterback for Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. He said he will take the bumps “in stride” and keep improving. No, it’s not the veteran backup Chase Daniel getting the nod. “So that was my first reaction, was just shock”, Eagles center Jason Kelce said.
He added: “I think any competitor would be a little disappointed”.
“I think from a mental standpoint from where he’s at, and how well he’s able to handle everything and get those mental reps when you can’t really get the physical reps”, Daniel said. It is going to be about us. Carson’s ready for this, and it’s about him right now.
That was news to head coach Hue Jackson, who was busy preparing Cleveland for its season opener at Philadelphia.
“It goes to the big picture, the organization and the team”, Pederson said.
Regardless of who the Eagles were going to start, Cleveland’s defensive plan should not have changed much.
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This is an National Football League where coaches get fired after one losing season, and it’s an National Football League where young quarterbacks are asked to play now and asked to win now. Daniel would be the starter at the beginning of the season, and based on everything we’ve seen from him, the Eagles’ offense would likely struggle.
