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Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz to start Week 1 against Browns

The Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of the quarterback position has been unconventional, to say the least. The Browns had the chance to draft Wentz with the No. 2 pick but traded it to Philadelphia along with a fourth-rounder in 2017 for first-, third- and fourth-round picks in April, a first-rounder in 2017 and a second-rounder in 2018.

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Meanwhile, Wentz would sit on the bench. “It’s still football. I’ve got to still be the same guy and just play ball, and I think those guys believe in me and I’m excited for it”. He led North Dakota State to two National Championships and he plays with a fearless competitiveness. He will wear a flak jacket Sunday when the Birds entertain the Cleveland Browns.

Should it really come as a surprise to Jackson and the Browns that they will face a rookie quarterback making his first career start?

The Eagles’ number two overall pick played a whopping 38 snaps this preseason, all of them in the Eagles’ first preseason game against base defense.

With Bradford gone, it appeared that the Philadelphia Eagles planned to sacrifice the 2016 season. “We just felt that at this time, not only was it a good opportunity for him, but also for some of our young players who played well in camp to make this roster”. Philadelphia was fully prepared to enter the season with Sam Bradford as their starter. He played at a small school and has had everything handed to him. “He and I sort of started this journey together way back in February, even before he was signed”. All offseason, we heard that Wentz would be best served not playing. They know he can be a special player in this league.

There are a few possible explanations for this change of heart.

After Bradford’s departure, the Eagles announced that Wentz will be taking over his role as the team’s starting QB.

“I thanked him for everything he’s done in helping me and really being a mentor to me”, said Wentz. Once they were stuck with both quarterbacks – and after Bradford reacted poorly to the situation – they tried to spin the situation as a positive. O’Brien also completed 49.3 percent of his passes (think Tim Tebow level), threw for only six touchdowns and 17 interceptions. “I’ll probably know more further down this week as far as that goes”.

Supposedly, Wentz has looked great in practice.

If the Browns saw him as a guy who can carry a team, they would have stayed at No. 2 overall and taken him.

Pederson said that Wentz Pederson is 100% healthy, and added that in Monday morning’s practice, which was closed to the media, Wentz went through all of the team’s drills with the starters.

The Eagles realized they want to win, the Rams are trying desperately not to be embarrassed, if that was the case then they should have never wasted that pick on Goff and went offensive line or WR. But they did not start.

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There were a couple of concerns raised Monday, mostly about the learning curve that comes along with incorporating a rookie quarterback into the offense, especially this close to the beginning of the season. Obviously we drafted Carson for a reason.

PHILADELPHIA PA- AUGUST 11 Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles calls an audible at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field