5 Things Carson Wentz needs to happen in week one to be successful
Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz works out prior to a game against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz begins his NFL career, and victory is assured if five things happen.
A new era begins for Philadelphia Eagles football as rookie quarterback Carson Wentz starts his first game on the anniversary of one of the most horrific moments in American history. September 11th holds a spot in our collective minds and hearts and probably will do so forever.
As the 2016 NFL season prepares to kick off for the majority of the rest of the teams in the league and as each stadium is prepared to give us a special tribute on that day, we hope that the teams that we support can put a smile on our faces. We will never get over the tragic moments that occurred on that day, but our hope is tomorrow helps us dull the pain a little.
That being said, here are five things Eagles fans would want to see happen to assure “The Birdgang” walks out with a victory.
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
5. The defense needs to continue the phenomenal work that we’ve seen in the preseason.
We knew this defense would be better than it had been under the Chip Kelly regime when the added defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Most of us probably didn’t expect what we saw in the preseason from this unit. Yes, it’s preseason, and they’re facing vanilla offenses and skinny playbooks for four weeks. We understand that, but to call the entire preaseason an aberration would be an error.
The linebacking corps is thin. If that isn’t fixed, this will become an issue as the season goes along. The best one on the team, Jordan Hicks, has already been labeled as being fragile and Mychal Kendricks missed just about everything this team did in the off-season. Still, they’ve got, arguably, two of the best tandems at both defensive tackle and safety in the league, and they’re solid everywhere else.
Wentz needs this unit to bail him out on occasion, create some short fields and hopefully cause a few turnovers. They’ve proven they’re up for each task.
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Javien Elliott (35) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
4. Wentz has got to protect himself as much as possible.
Every press conference about this subject always sounds the same. Head coach Doug Pederson and Frank Reich were no different. You get a lot of stuff like “we don’t want to take away his aggressive nature” and “he’s a competitor playing the only way he knows how to play”. We get all of that, but he’s also a rookie quarterback coming off of a rib injury that he suffered in the first game of the preseason. As a result, he was limited to about twenty snaps, and missed all of the last three games.
Wentz has demonstrated that he’s a film junkie though. We’ve heard about his intelligence, professionalism and work ethic, and we love all of that about him. Now we’d like to hear about him sliding and getting out of bounds. No one will think that he’s less of a competitor if he does so.
Aug 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles Ryan Mathews (24) and Kenjon Barner (34) during the National Anthem before the start of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
3. One of these running backs have to step up into a leadership role.
Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, Kenjon Barner and Wendell Samllwood will all get the ball at some point on Sunday, but a “committee” approach may not work all season. Truthfully, this team employs four backs with similar skill sets. Each one will be used to keep defenses off balance or as a change of pace, but at least one of them has to take the leadership role. Figuring out the depth chart was only half the battle.
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Peyton Manning once spoke of having Marshall Faulk in the beginning of his career and how it benefited him greatly. It was like having an extension of the coaching staff next to you both on the field and in the huddle. Well, Wentz doesn’t have Faulk in his backfield, but you get the idea. He needs the same type of support structure.
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (17) goes out for a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Brent Grimes (24) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
2. The receivers can’t put the ball on the ground.
You knew this was coming. The wide receiver corps has long been seen as the most inconsistent position grouping on this entire team. They have to step up now. Josh Huff has got to step up now. Nelson Agholor has got to step up now.
Making a few tough grabs on some badly placed balls can do wonders for the confidence of a young quarterback. Unfortunately, drops do the exact opposite, and if you ask anyone what they expect from the Eagles’ receivers, you’re probably going to hear that drops are the expectation. That can’t happen Sunday. Wide receivers coach Greg Lewis has got to get these guys in line.
Dorial Green-Beckham is a welcome addition that gives this team the best pass catcher they’ve probably had since Jason Avant, but he arrived late and won’t be starting. Still, figure him to be of great benefit to the rookie.
Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) watches from the sidelines during a game against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. Wentz doesn’t have to win the game on his own (he just can’t lose it).
Get down, slide and get out of bounds. Throw the ball away. Live to play another down. No game has ever been won or lost on one play. These are the things that have been drilled into Wentz’s head since he’s been named the starter.
He doesn’t have to throw for 400 yards. There’s no need to try and secure a perfect quarterback rating. Nobody feels like he needs to throw four touchdowns. He just has to execute each play as designed, take what the defense gives him and avoid turnovers. Punting isn’t the end of the world.
Reich stated in a recent press conference that they’ve designed a gameplan around his strengths. If he trusts it and does what he’s asked to do in it, the Eagles will walk out of week one with a check mark in the win column.
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