The Eagles traded up twice in the draft to select Wentz second overall. He was somewhat surprised by the large crowd that turned out for the open practices and got his first taste of Birds fans during his preseason debut. Carson Wentz will certainly have his share of rookie struggles early on, especially after playing just a handful of preseason snaps in his career.
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Wentz suffered a hairline fracture to his ribs in Philadelphia’s first preseason game August 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He sat out the last three preseason games. Quarterback Carson Wentz – working with the starting unit for the first time – dropped back, rolled out and launched a corner ball from one hash to the opposite sideline that hit tight end Zach Ertz in stride. “The way he led the huddle on Monday at practice, just what he’s done the last couple of days just getting himself ready to go shows you the type of leader and the type of person he is”.
Along with Jared Goff, Wentz seemed to be a potential player for the Browns to pick at that No. 2 spot, but as we know the front office passed on Wentz and committed to acquiring more picks.
“When you meet with (coaches) and you hear their thoughts on Carson and his readiness, mentally and physically, it makes you feel very confident in being able to do such an aggressive move a week before the season starts”, Roseman said. “Having that support and this team behind me elevates my confidence and helps me play on Sunday”. “I don’t really want to address the past and everything”.
Pederson and several other players shared Wentz’s enthusiasm.
They just better be patient. Philadelphia never would have received a first-round pick, much less a first-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick (which can become a second- or third-round choice), for Bradford six months ago.
It wasn’t supposed to be that way. If he can stay healthy for all 16 games, I believe Wentz will win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and will throw 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions passing for 3,200 yards. Up until the Bradford trade, Eagles coach Doug Pederson had said that Daniel would be next in line if Bradford were to get injured. A quarterback scrambling, it’s a different league.
Pederson may have signed off on the trade, but it had de facto general manager Howie Roseman’s fingerprints all over it.
Pederson, who was in Louisiana to be with his family after his father died Friday, wasn’t mentioned at all. Would an ideal situation be later than sooner?
He called that injury a fluke play and said on Monday that “it won’t happen again”. They might be tough to come by this season.
There are too many holes, too many question marks, for this team to contend with Wentz, at least this year. Versatile returner Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner also will get carries. He was 12 of 24 for 89 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in his only preseason action against Tampa Bay on August 11.
Although in O’Brien’s defense, he was throwing a football that looked like a watermelon.
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At 6 feet, 5 inches and 237 pounds, Wentz’s physical attributes attracted scouts while he played his college football for five-time defending FCS champion North Dakota State. “I’m really ecstatic I’m here”.
