One of the most fun parts of Eagles‘ training camp is watching how head coach Nick Sirianni performs at the podium. Press conferences are supposed to provide an opportunity for them to speak freely, expressing true feelings and showing unscripted personality. It can lead to a new-found respect for the leader of the franchise.
And, taking into account Nick Sirianni’s awkward introduction to Philadelphia in 2021, it carries a little extra weight following a rumor-filled offseason. Media reports confabulated an image of a fractious relationship with Jalen Hurts, in addition to speculation that Sirianni was on the hot seat.
That all remains to be seen. For this exercise, we are going to put a spin on something you might see Michael Scott do on “The Office.” Here is what Sirianni actually said versus what he probably meant, at least in this writer’s opinion.
Nick Sirianni’s first presser of Eagles Training Camp 2024: A totally serious recap
Question: There was a report last week that describes your relationship with QB Jalen Hurts as a work in progress. I’m curious, entering your fourth year, how is your relationship with QB Jalen Hurts?
What Sirianni Said: You know, the only thing you can judge your relationships on is your personal interactions with people, not any report that comes out. Jalen [Hurts] and I’s relationship is good. Again, you just can judge it based off what your personal interactions are. So, when you hear a report like that, you don’t put much stock into it because quite frankly not everybody sees that.
Important note: This question was asked by embattled reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks of SportsRadio 94WIP.
What Sirianni Meant: Jalen and me are like peas and carrots. Speaking of reports ... Eliot, did you apologize to DeSean Jackson yet? Because everyone saw that report and you should be ashamed of yourself. Do the right thing.
Question: With the change in your role a little bit, how has that changed your relationship with QB Jalen Hurts? Do you have to work a little harder at it?
What Sirianni Said: You know what? That’s a good question because I’m not in that quarterback room all the time anymore. So, it’s like some of those times you would have the natural relationship because you’re always in there. But what I think has been beneficial for that, is that everybody needs that time with me. Not just me being in the quarterback room. Me being able to be in the defensive end room, me being in the linebacker room.
What Sirianni Meant: Listen, I don’t have to be in the quarterbacks room all the time. I’m like Santa. I see you when you’re naughty and I see you when you’re nice. I see everything. Oh, and, breaking news from our last defensive meeting: Big Dom has been deep in the playbook. He might get some reps at linebacker.
Question: At this time last year, you viewed LB Nakobe Dean as the top linebacker. Where is he now going into this season, from an organizational perspective and health-wise?
What Sirianni Said: That’s going to be something — that’s going to be a great competition to play out. I believe we added some great guys in free agency and the draft. I’m really excited. You look at some of the things, and we’ll never say, ‘Hey, these are the positions we’re excited about the battles at,’ but sometimes Howie and I talk about, ‘Man, I can’t wait to see that linebacker position.’ We feel really good about the guys that have been added and the guys back from last year. So just so excited to see how that goes.
What Sirianni Meant: I just told you we’re looking at Big Dom to take over there. Next question.
Question: QB Jalen Hurts expressed dismay at the fact he’s had to change coordinators … Seems to be a discrepancy between what he thinks is going to be 95% changing in the offensive versus what you have said. How much more does he have to learn this offseason?
What Sirianni Said: We’re all a work in progress as far as learning different things on our offense, on our defense, on our special teams, things we’re doing in situational football. Obviously, everything we do as far as changes we make in the staff, changes we make to your offense, or your defense, is all for what we believe is good for the team and will help us. Even staffs that have the same play caller, they tweak things year-in, year-out. If you stay still in this league, this league will catch up to you quickly. And so as far as the percentage or anything like that, we are working to do what we do best.
What Sirianni Meant: Have you seen Jalen’s Wonderlic score? He scored a 21 out of 50 (via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer). We can’t change 95% of the offense! We’d have to draw up plays on an Etch-a-Sketch, maybe run bubble screens on every play … oh, wait, shoot.
Question: Nick, what should we expect to see out here? Like with practice, physicality, whatever?
What Sirianni Said: Yeah, obviously this first week is going to be — you know, there is an acclimation period that everybody has to go through week-in, week-out, but particularly that first week. You’ll see some different things. Again, that’s so fluid. Like this morning, I added 10-12 plays to practice. I’m like, ‘Hey, we felt good yesterday. Guys came back in great shape. You know what? I want to work a situational period today that is going to add a couple plays; I want to work a conditioning period today that’s going to add a couple plays.’ But that changes based off how the day is and how you think the guys are. That’s just something that’s completely fluid.
What Sirianni Meant: You’ll mostly see gargantuan-sized guys just trying to survive the heat and hit that Rita’s Water Ice tent after practice. But, let me tell you … if those 10-12 plays work today, remember that I designed them. If not, Kellen Moore came up with them.
AP Photo/Chris O’Meara
