Maybe it was fate that the Eagles would stumble upon a huge finding after the dismantling of their franchise in the way of Nick Sirianni. It wasn’t that long ago when Jeffrey Lurie held what felt like a seminar-style press conference to further explain the direction of the franchise after the firing of Doug Pederson. After Doug’s release came the ultimate question – what happens to the franchise QB?
Following the hiring of Nick Sirianni and the Carson Wentz trade, the media feasted in the idea of the Eagles‘ drafting a franchise QB with the idea in mind that Jalen Hurts is not that guy. Endless rumours and whispers circulated ahead of the NFL Draft and it didn’t look as though the team were all-in on the former second-round pick for the majority of what turned out to be a turbulent offseason.
Instead of committing the same mistake they did one year ago and drafting a quarterback, they went and drafted a WR in the top-10 for the first time since 1984 (Kenny Jackson). The moment that DeVonta Smith entered the Novacare complex and saw Jalen Hurts waiting for him is when it all hit me. The unlikely scenario that the Eagles stumbled upon. The reason that the Eagles will be a successful franchise again sooner rather than later.
No longer are they reaching for talent in order to desperately keep a Super Bowl window open. They just want guys who love to work hard and love the game of football. We have all heard about the leadership possessed by Jalen Hurts and it didn’t take long for DeVonta Smith to exhibit those same traits.
“DeVonta, again, it’s pretty early just these last two days with them, but DeVonta is kind of a lead by example. He’s just out there, and he just seems determined at all times, and he just really can’t wait for the information to get to him and can’t wait to get better. I think that’s contagious, and I know that’s contagious. Let me rephrase that. The way he kind of works and he’s gone about the meetings virtually.”
The culture right now seems to be focusing on hard work. This team of underdogs is living out the phrase, “hard work beats talent every day.”
Nick Sirianni was asked about the offense and if it will take advantage of the ability that Jalen Hurts has. His response was priceless and is exactly what you want to hear from a coach at any stage of their career. He mentioned,
“I don’t believe that that’s good coaching when you just say, here’s our offense and let’s go. You learn it, your talents are ‘this’ and your talents are ‘that’, but here’s what we run. That’s just not good offensive football. Good offensive football and good defensive football and good special teams football for that matter is adapting to the players you have and playing to their strengths.“
Sirianni hit the nail right on the head. It’s the exact extension of thinking that Lurie and Roseman were hoping that Doug Pederson would embrace. Unfortunately, this was a serious concern with Doug and his coaching staff as they were so stuck in their ways and schemes that if a player didn’t fit then that was the end of it.
The former Colts offensive coordinator has been passionate in his responses to the media, exuberant when discussing the players who have joined his team this year, and excitable. That infectious energy partnered with a drive to install a culture of competition is the perfect fit for the vision that front office have.
Nick Sirianni is striking all of the right chords to kickstart his Eagles tenure.
Photo by MSA/Icon Sportswire
