EAGLES COACHES TRUST BACKUPS TO COME THROUGH ON SEEDING GAME SUNDAY
- Al Thompson
- 22 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Week 18 is upon us. The Philadelphia Eagles are 11-5, have clinched the NFC East and will finish no lower than the No. 3 seed.
The Birds will wind things up with a home game Sunday (4:25PM CBS) at the Linc against the eliminated, but not hapless Washington Commanders (4-12).
By winning their division, the Birds get an automatic home game next weekend.
But after that, the playoffs go by regular season records.
The No. 2 seed is still within reach. If the Eagles defeat the Commanders and the eliminated Detroit Lions (8-8) upset the current No. 2 seed Chicago Bears (11-5), the Birds would move up to No. 2 in the NFC and would be guaranteed two home games in the playoffs.
With that much on the line, many teams would not rest their starters.
But this is Nick Sirianni. He walks to a different beat sometimes and this is one of those times.
Sirianni announced this week he intends to sit many of his starters including quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith plus offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson.
On defense, it is a sure bet defensive linemen Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis will sit, as will linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean. Defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Marcus Epps will have the day off. Epps is out with a concussion.
The Eagles coaching staff is showing significant trust and confidence in the players scheduled to start Sunday.
Rookie center Drew Kendall will likely start at center with Brett Toth moving over to left guard in place of Dickerson.
The fifth round pick out of Boston College did not hide his enthusiasm with regard to this opportunity.
“Yeah, it's very exciting,” Kendall said at his locker New Year’s Eve. “I'm going to be playing a lot more this week than I have this season. So obviously, it's an exciting opportunity for me. I can't wait to get out there on Sunday and actually play in a meaningful game.”
The Eagles coaches trust in these guys to turn the game over to the backups with seeding on the line is not lost on Kendall.
It paid off last year when Tanner McKee and the Eagles knocked off the New York Football Giants 20-13.
“I think the coaches have a lot of faith in all of us,” Kendall said. “We all put in a lot of work. We're here all the time. We're grinding out in the film room, really trying to pay attention and get everything down. I think the coaches have trust in everyone in this room and that's why they are here.”
Kendall was asked if the seeding possibility added to the excitement.
“For sure it is,” Kendall said. “You always want to go out there, you always want to win. It doesn't matter even if it's not for seeding, whatever, you never want to go out there and put a bad product on the field.
“It's one, pride playing for the guys who put in so much work this season and want to get that twelfth win, I take a lot of pride in that. I'm going to try and get that for them.”
McKEE TO GET START BEHIND CENTER
Tanner McKee with get the start at quarterback. Last season, the 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford started against the Giants in the season finale and played very well.
McKee sounded unfazed with the idea of starting an NFL game that has meaning.
“Obviously you get more reps (in practice) , more confidence,” McKee said at his locker New Years Day. “It’s really the same, just more involved with making the calls on the field instead of watching someone else make the calls.
“You’re back there doing your footwork,” he continued. “This is what I would do, these are my reads if I was in’…but now you’re actually in. So it is just kind of getting those reps, those physical reps. I’m still going to go out and do the mental reps afterwards. I’m still going to watch the same amount of film…getting more reps at practice. It’s nice to establish a little muscle memory.”
Against the Giants in 2024, McKee was 27 of 41 for 269 yards and two touchdown passes in the win. In spot duty against the Dallas Cowboys last year, McKee was three of four for 54 yards and two touchdown passes.
McKee was asked about the game having meaning with regards to seeding.
“I’m definitely excited for that ,” McKee said. “It’s obviously fun when something’s on the line.”
ROBINSON TRIES TO KEEP IT BUSINESS AS USUAL
Defensive tackle Ty Robinson will no doubt have an expanded role although he said his coaches hadn't revealed that role as of New Year's Eve.
The 6-foot-5, 288-pound rookie out of Nebraska said he was preparing the same as he would any week.
“I get ready every week like I'm a starter,” Robinson said at his locker New Year's Eve. “I have another week to do that again.”
I asked Robinson, for the sake of our talk to assume his role will be expanded against the Commanders. The game actually means something. At kickoff, the Eagles still will have a chance to move up to the No. 2 seed of the Chicago Bears lose to Detroit.
“Yeah...but at the end of the day, I just want to win every game,” Robinson said. “When it comes to it, that's my work out there...I'm representing the club, the organization. I going to make sure I go out there and all my ducks in a row. I want to go out there and execute what they need me to do.”
More special that it's a real game?
“I mean yeah,” Robinson said. “Being able to contribute to the seeding aspect of it...yeah...it's kind of a bonus point.”
THE OTHER COOPER IS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY
Wide receiver Darius Cooper is another player who could see expanded action on the offense.
“It's been a year of growth, a year of development,” Cooper said at his locker Wednesday. “And a year of playing my part like I always do. I'm excited to be part of this organization and play alongside of these great players. It's a blessing.”
The rookie out of Tarleton State was asked who has been helping him learn the trade.
“A.J. (Brown), Smitty (DeVonta Smith)..everybody in the receiving room has been helping me out with small tips and tricks. It's been pretty cool.”
What has been the biggest adjustment so far?
“Coming from Tarleton State to a NFL playbook, that's been the biggest adjustment,” the 5-10, 210-pounder said. “But hearing those plays consistently everyday and the formations, you get better with it, but that's been the biggest jump.”
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. plays every week. He has been a special teams Ace and has played well during the games when called on.
But this week he will be the leader on defense. Trotter was asked about how important the game is and how he needs to step up his game.
“It means a lot,” Trotter said at his locker on Thursday. “We understand the seeding and what could happen if we win this game and other things happen. We have to come in with the same mindset we have every week, and get a win.
“For the guys who are going to be playing, we have to make sure we have our game plan, know our jobs and play hard and try to win the game. That’s the main goal.”
On the coaches trusting them with the game.
“I think, when you look at it that way, the trust that they have that we can go out there and win the game. But at the end of the day, we have to focus on the game, have the same execution, do our job and put our team in the best spot to win the game.”
SHIPLEY WILL BE THE MAIN MAN WITH THE ROCK ON SUNDAY
Running back Will Shipley on coaches trusting them with the game on the line.
“Yeah…that all our mindset this week…to go out there and win,” Shipley said at his locker on New Year’s Day. “That’s what it is every single week. Whoever goes out there, resting some of the starters is great…especially my locker mate, Saquon, he deserves it more than anyone.”
Shipley stopped and laughed…”Not biased all. But I think we’re all really excited to get an opportunity and go out there and show that we’re dependable, we can go out there and do our thing.” *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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