ReportWire

Tag: #JalenHurts

  • Undesirable? Us? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    •••

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    With a national narrative brewing that working for the Eagles may not be as desirable as other NFL opportunities — and after nearly three weeks of an on-going-soap-opera — like — carousel of nearly everyone being considered for Eagles Offensive Coordinator it seems (and even more people applying on LinkedIn) we finally have our man. Or men.

    The Eagles have hired former Los Angeles Rams quarterback and Nick Foles backup Sean Mannion as OC and former Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Brian Grizzard as Passing Game Coordinator.

    As deflating as the end of this Eagles season was — it’s hard to remember that only five years ago in January 2021 — the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl victory was actually three years before that. In a complete upheaval that it’s conclusion was the outcome of jettisoning the team’s only Super winning coach and leaving Philadelphia with a quarterback controversy between the Love Hurts Camps and the Carson Wentz Camp.

    Even so — Doug Pederson may never again have to pay for a meal or a drink in Philadelphia — but he will not be the Eagles new Offensive Coordinator. There will not be a reunion with the man who stands with quarterback Nick Foles in the bronze statue that resides outside of Lincoln Financial Field capturing one of one of the best moments in franchise history nor with the same man who drafted Jalen Hurts, and won a Super Bowl with Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jake Elliott.

    Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.

    And despite last week’s listing on LinkedIn for an Offensive Coordinator — a W-2 position that was even eligible for Easy Apply! — it will not be the youthful, genius mind of Mike McDaniel. Nor will it be Brian Daboll — Jalen Hurts’ previous coach who spent the last several years devising ways to annihilate the Eagles offense while serving as Giant’s Head Coach. Nor Matt Nagy who was previously double-doinked out of the 2019 NFC Playoffs by the Eagles as the previous Head Coach of the Chicago Bears.

    He’s not coming to Philadelphia, either.

    The challenge for Mannion and Grizzard will be two-fold. The first is paramount. Taking one of the most talented offenses to every play in this City from the 24th ranked motionless, out-of-sync display of 2025 back into a Super Bowl Champion unit in 2026.

    The second will be even harder and less transparent. To transform the role of Sirianni’s second in command on the offensive side of the ball from a temporary stay on the way to greener Head Coaching pastures like Kellen Moore or Shane Steichen did — to a role with more stability to build that continuity with the Eagles Offense over the next several seasons rather than just the next season.

    Before we answer the latter — another Super Bowl appearance will do just nicely in the coming year or so.

    At least for the time being.

    Tags:

    Categorized:

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • A Fond, Dominant Remembrance. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    •••

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Ok, full disclosure. Aside from the fact that we are in the midst of a frightful Philly January weekend — with nearly a foot of snow for most of us and no meaningful Eagles football scheduled until next September — I really have no reason for all of us to re-live the Eagles and Commanders NFC Championship Game from a year ago. 

    Let’s do it, anyway.

    The #2 seeded Eagles were in the NFC Playoffs after beating the Packers 22–10 in the Wildcard Round and the #4 seeded Rams 28–22 when they drew the #6 seed Commanders in the Championship Game in South Philly — who had throttled the top-seeded Lions in Detroit 45–21. The last time that the Eagles had faced a Division opponent in the NFC Championship was in 1981 —when they advanced to the first ever Super Bowl in franchise history by beating the Cowboys 20–7. 

    Now — it would be the Eagles who would put on offensive show.

    Jayden Daniels and the Commanders would open the scoring with a field goal on the first possession. Then — Cooper DeJean forced a Washington fumble after a hit on Dyami Brown and Reid Blankenship recovered. Saquon Barkley then scooted off the right side and into the end zone for a 14–3 Eagles advantage. Washington then rattled off nine straight points to cut Philadelphia’s lead to 14–12.

    After a pass interference penalty against the Washington secondary — preventing DeVonta Smith from catching a touchdown — Jalen Hurts plowed into the end zone from the one for a 20–12 advantage while Washington defensive backs Lattimore and Sainristil and A.J. Brown had a shoving match in the corner of the end zone. On the ensuing kickoff and a Jeremy McNichols fumble — the Eagles were on offense again and scored again thanks to a four-yard Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown connection.

    Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

    In the third quarter — the Eagles padded the total by taking a 34–15 lead after a nine-yard Jalen Hurts touchdown run. Washington took momentum again and cut the lead to 34–23 with a Jayden Daniels touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion. 

    The Eagles stopped the Commanders comeback when Oren Burks stripped Austin Ekeler and Philadelphia recovered. Saquon Barkley then got tripped on the two yard-line to setup perhaps the most bizarre sequence of the game. The Eagles would run six Tush-Push plays with Washington jumping offsides a total of four times. The Commanders were advised by the referees that a touchdown could be awarded if the behavior continued — and subsequently Jalen Hurts scored on the sixth attempt for a 41–23 lead.

    Saquon then added a four-yard touchdown run after a Washington turnover on downs. On the next possession — Quinyon Mitchell would intercept Daniels in the endzone. Eagles rookie running back Will Shipley would then run eighty yards on the next drive to put the Eagles in front 55–23. 

    The first person to greet him was Saquon Barkley.

    Former Eagle Zach Ertz would haul in a total of eleven receptions for 104 yards for the Commanders. The Eagles would force four Washington turnovers before the game was over. And if you thought that this performance was impressive — the masterpiece of the Eagle’s season would be two weeks later — in Super Bowl LIX.

    Tags:

    Categorized:

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • RECAP: A Bizarre Blowout To Win the Division. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    The last time that Josh Johnson has faced the Eagles was in the 2023 NFC Championship Game after a torn UCL injury suffered by 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy at Lincoln Financial Field. The struggles that he had in relief of Purdy in that game surfaced again when he was called into action after to face the Eagles once again on Saturday when Nolan Smith ran over Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota and forced him out of the game with a hand injury.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X. Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

    Saturday’s late afternoon matchup in Landover, Maryland between the Eagles and the Commanders had a little something for everyone. Punishing, late game runs by Saquon Barkley reminiscent of last season’s dominance on the ground. Jake Elliott missing three first half field goal attempts (one that he got a second chance on due to a Commanders off-sides penalty.) A massive brawl after a two-point conversion by the Eagles late in the 4th quarter that was in and of itself a strange call. And Big Dom DiSandro at mid-field making certain that the Eagles players left the game without the contest turning into a five-round UFC Fight, and an uncharacteristic opening-game fumble. 

    And corgi races at halftime? Why not.

    On Saturday evening — the Eagles became the first team to win the NFC East in Back-to-back seasons since they themselves did it twenty-one years ago. Philadelphia has now won the NFC East for the second time in the last three seasons. 

    The 180th meeting between the Commanders and the Eagles started with a fumble on the opening kickoff. Down 3–0 in the first quarter — Hurts found Devonta Smith for a six-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter — the Eagles took the lead on a fifteen-yard strike to Dallas Goedert. In the 4th quarter — the Eagles and Saquon Barkley took over. After a twelve-yard touchdown run — he ripped off a 48-yard run capped by a 22-yard Tank Bisby scamper. Barkley then converted a two-point conversion.

    After the two-point play was successful and Barkley was slammed to the ground — Darius Cooper and Commanders Defensive Back Will Harris got into a shoving match which then escalated. Washington had two players ejected (Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin) as well as Steen in the 29–18 Eagles win.

    Saquon Barkley eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year as an Eagle finishing the game with 132 yards on 21 carries.

    The post RECAP: A Bizarre Blowout To Win the Division. appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • RECAP: Back On Track With A Piece of Perfection – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    •••

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    The Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak in perfect fashion during a snowy December afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field with a 31–0 trouncing of the Las Vegas Raiders — the first Eagles shutout since 2018. 

    The Philadelphia Eagles and the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t having the 2025 seasons that they expected. While the Eagles needed this weekend’s game to continue to challenge for the #2 or #1 seeds in the NFC Playoffs — the 2–12 Raiders are having a season to forget — as their organization makes an attempt to regain it’s former dominance of yesteryear. 

    It’s been 44 years since the Eagles and Raiders met in Super Bowl XV. The Raiders had already won the Super Bowl in 1977. For the Eagles — it was the first Super Bowl appearance and first Championship appearance since 1960. The previous two decades had been bleak — and it would be another twenty-five years until the Eagles would return to another one.

    Back at Sunday’s action — the Eagles opened the scoring on the first drive of the game with a Dallas Goedert four-yard touchdown catch from Jalen Hurts. At the beginning of the second quarter — the Eagles had an opportunity for more points when Goedert dropped a touchdown pass in the endzone and Philly had to settle for three points. The Eagles added another score when Saquon Barkley plunged in from two-yards out to give the Eagles a 17–0 halftime lead. 

    Philly never looked back. 

    After a Zach Baun interception in the third quarter — Hurts found Goedert again for another four-yard pass. Then in the 4th quarter Hurts connected with AJ Brown to go up 31–0. The offense did get the football back on a long drive at the end of the game but could not convert a 4th and Goal from the 1.

    The defense settled down after some early penalties to hold the Raiders and Kenny Pickett to just 75 yards of total offense. Brandon Graham had two sacks for the Eagles. 

    Tags:

    Categorized:

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • A Comeback Like No Other – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Every NFL Game Has Two Halves — The Team that Wins the Second Half Wins the Game.

    Admittedly — an ugly 3–0 is much, much better than a beautiful 0–3. For the Eagles — whose Sunday opening half performance saw only 33 yards of total offense and no receptions for star receiver A.J. Brown — things were not looking good at halftime. They looked even bleaker when Rams Running Back Kyren Williams took a ten-yard pass from Matthew Stafford into the end zone to bring the score to 26–7. 

    Then the real game started. The result would be the eighth greatest comeback in Eagles franchise history — the largest ever at the Linc — outscoring Los Angeles 26–0.

    In the third quarter — Dallas Goedert grabbed a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts after a 79-yard drive. Then the Eagles scored again on a nine-yard connection from Hurts to A.J. Brown. 

    After both teams traded possessions including a couple of fourth down attempts that were not converted and a Jalen Carter blocked field goal and subsequent taunting penalty — the Eagles drove 91 yards on 17 plays when Jalen Hurts connected with Devonta Smith on 4th and Goal to put the Eagles up 27–26 with 1:48 left in the game.

    The Rams then drove down the field — setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt by Los Angeles kicker Joshua Karty. Once again the Eagles got a great push up the middle and Jordan Davis blocked the attempt and returned it for a touchdown as time expired.

    The irony is that the Eagles defense was successful in holding the Rams to four field goals in the first half instead of touchdowns. The most important of those two attempts for the Rams— were both blocked by the Eagles.

    Tags:

    Categorized:

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • Another Alabama Addition – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    If you watched any portion of Alabama’s domination of the SEC and College football during the nearly first two decades of the 21st century — you may have seen the Devonta Smith and Jalen Hurts. And you almost certainly saw John Metchie III.

    Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.

    The Eagles are a treasure-trove of talent — much of it from the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide. Now they’ve got one more.

    On Sunday — the Eagles traded TE Harrison Bryant and a fifth round selection to the Houston Texans on exchange for a sixth round selection and wide receiver John Metchie III.

    Metchie’s addition may add another weapon to an already strong wide receiver room with AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson — but may not bode so well for Terry Morin, Elijah Cooks, Ainias Smith, Giles Jackson, Darius Cooper or Terrace Marshall, Jr. The upcoming solidification of the roster will soon let us know.

    Metchie is a former CFP National Champion (2020) a two-time winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy, second team All-ACC (2021,) and a George Halas Trophy winner (2024.) In 2021 — Metchie suffered a torn ACL in the SEC Championship Game. He was drafted in round two of the NFL Draft three years ago.

    After being drafted — Metchie announced that he would be sidelined during his rookie season while undergoing treatment for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. His addition may not only be yet another target for Jalen Hurts but may also send a message to the other receivers trying to make the roster. 

    A message of expectations.

    Tags:

    Categorized:

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • What Can Sanders Learn from Jalen Hurts? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.

    It doesn’t matter the Shedeur Sanders didn’t get drafted in top ten. It doesn’t matter that he dropped until the middle rounds. And it surely doesn’t matter that he missed out on millions of dollars on Draft Night 2025. And it doesn’t matter that we didn’t see him on Saturday. It doesn’t matter in the least. 

    The reason that it doesn’t matter is because Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees didn’t throw away the 94th selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. They made it on a talent that they knew who can compete for a starting role. To compete like his father did on the field. 

    This weekend we didn’t see why DeShaun Watson isn’t a shoe-in to be the Browns QB — with additional depth of the Browns signal callers. Primarily because we didn’t see Watson or Sanders play.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Last spring, as many thought that former University of Colorado and Jackson State University quarterback Shedeur Sanders was destined for a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, round after round went by without him being drafted. Finally, the wait was over when Sanders was picked in the 5th round by the Cleveland Browns, who also drafted former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the 94th selection a day earlier.

    When you get the opportunity to play in the NFL, it’s not about where you get drafted, but about being drafted during the process at all. The irony of the situation is that now Shedeur Sanders is in a QB room with other NFL quarterbacks, Joe Flacco, DeShaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, and now Gabriel. Given all of that, Sanders still has the potential to be the Browns’ franchise quarterback moving forward.

    What Sanders can take comfort in is that in the NFL anything is possible. Aaron Rogers fell through to the 24th selection of the NFL Draft before being selected by the Green Bay Packers. And Jalen Hurts joined an Eagles roster in 2020 already complete with a Franchise signal caller.

    If Sanders becomes a franchise quarterback in Cleveland despite all of the quarterback competition or anywhere else — none of this will matter except in the media. Just ask Jalen Hurts.

    Tags:

    Categorized:

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • What Philly’s Never Had – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    What Philly’s Never Had – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    In One Hundred Years of Football We’ve Seen It All on the Field. Almost.

    When you’ve had professional football in your city limits for a century — chances are you haven’t missed much. But if Philly football is asking for a gift from Santa in September— here is something to wish for.

    Since 1924, The Philadelphia Eagles and Frankford Yellow Jackets gave Philadelphia some incredible moments. No, we don’t have ten Super Bowl trophies or three dynasty’s. What we do have, are some cherished moments of exhilaration for one of America’s most important original cities.

    We’ve seen devastating defenses like the 1991 Gang Green and the Jim Johnson aggressive scheme of the early 2000s. We’ve seen miracle seasons that seemed to come out of nowhere like 1960 and 2017. We’ve seen dominating performances when it seemed like our teams were almost unbeatable like the 1948–1949 Eagles and the 1926 Frankford Yellow Jackets. And we’ve seen such pulsating physical performances that added the the lore of Veterans Stadium that no away team wanted to visit.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    But what Philadelphia has never seen is a quarterback who wasn’t just good enough to win the Super Bowl, but to take the Eagles back there for years to come. Many thought that the Eagles had that quarterback in Donovan McNabb, Ron Jaworski, or Randall Cunningham. But injuries, changes in coaching, as well as squandered opportunities meant that none of the Philly quarterbacks saw even one championship.

    The one time that Philly football had a signal caller that brought the Eagles multiple shiny reminders in the trophy case was Tommy Thompson. Thompson led the Eagles to championships in 1948 and 1949. They should have had one in 1947. Just like in 2022.

    Aside from Thompson, only Nick Foles, Harry Homan, and Norm Van Brocklin have won championships as NFL Quarterbacks in Philadelphia.

    None have been able to repeat.

    If Kellan Moore and Nick Sirianni can get Jalen Hurts to be the nearly unstoppable force that he was in 2022–2023, then the quarterback who came one possession from Super Bowl glory can capture his first Super Bowl title at age 26 with perhaps a decade left in his career for many more.

    If, and only if.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • A Fourth Year Frenzy – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    A Fourth Year Frenzy – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    For the Eagles Quarterbacks and For Philly, It’s A Fourth Year Fenzy.

    During the 2020 season — in a frigid December game in Green Bay — the Eagles brought the Carson Wentz Era came to an end when he was sent to the bench in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts. The move wasn’t just because Wentz had become increasing resistant to coaching, molding, and mentorship, or that he had shown selfishness instead of selflessness as documented in a video postgame showing a jubilant Eagles locker room after winning Super Bowl LII while Wentz put his head in his hands. It wasn’t even because he had seethed at the selection of Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft just four years after the Eagles traded up to the first pick to select the North Dakota State product in the 2016 NFL Draft.

    It was all of the above.

    By the start of Training Camp in 2021 both Wentz and Doug Pederson were gone, and Jalen Hurts was the Eagles anointed starter. The Eagles were now his team. Over the next three seasons, Hurts guided the Eagles to three playoff appearances, one NFC Championship, and one Super Bowl.

    History shows us that for franchise Eagles quarterbacks — year four is a tremendous ride.

    Tommy Thompson — In a league where running, not passing was the road to a championship, the vision-impaired Thompson returned to the Eagles in 1945 and became the starter in 1946 to lead the Eagles offense through the air. By 1949, the Eagles were at the top of the NFL and Thompson was a two-time NFL passing leader.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Ron Jaworski — When Jaworski was traded to the Eagles in 1977, he would join Dick Vermeil’s improving Eagles and lead them the playoffs in four straight seasons. In 1980, the Eagles would make it to the Super Bowl with Jaworski at the helm of an offense including Wilbert Montgomery and Harold CarMichael. The Eagles would not challenge for a championship again for nearly 25 years.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Randall Cunningham — Perhaps the most athletic quarterback of any ever in Philadelphia, Randall was never surrounded by offensive talent. In 1989 he rushed for 621 yards, threw for 3,400, and accounted for 25 touchdowns while leading the Eagles to the playoffs.

    Donovan McNabb — Although Donovan McNabb became the Eagles franchise quarterback in 1999, his first full season wasn’t until 2000 as a starting quarterback. In 2004, with the addition of Terrell Owens along with Javon Kearse, McNabb and the Eagles defeated the Patriots to advance to Super Bowl XXXIX. That season, McNabb threw 31 touchdown passes for 3,874 yards and had a passer rating of 104.7.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    In 2017, a former Andy Reid draft pick arrived back in Philadelphia after contemplating retirement. The 2017 season would be his fourth as an Eagle, two with Chip Kelly and one under Andy Reid. By the end of the 2018 Super Bowl, he’d be a World Champion.

    His name is Nick Foles.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link

  • Insurance? Or Something Deeper? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Insurance? Or Something Deeper? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    [ad_1]

    The Eagles Went Shopping Last Week. What were They Shopping For Exactly?

    Amid a Covid restricted 2020 Draft, the Eagles sat in a remote setting ready to make a second round selection. This pick, would not be an addition to the arsenal for franchise quarterback Carson Wentz, a lockdown cornerback, or a defensive end, or that linebacker that the fanbase wanted so badly.

    This selection would land them Jalen Hurts, a top college quarterback prospect.

    As a four-star high school recruit from Rivals.com, Jalen Hurts flourished under coach Nick Saban. In the 2018 College Football Championship Game, Hurts was benched in the second half, only to redeem himself and start for Alabama again next season.

     Photo of Eagles Nation on X.

    In his final college campaign, after transferring to Oklahoma — he had perhaps his most impressive season ever.

    In a magical ride season of 2018 — the Eagles won a Super Bowl with two excellent quarterbacks. Was the pick to secure a capable backup or to guard against a Wentz implosion that came nearly a year later?

    Last week, the Eagles made an aggressive move to try to get Justin Fields. On the surface, it looked as though it was another aggressive Roseman move as insurance against a catastrophic Jalen Hurts’ injury.

    But was it meant to add security or something much more?

     Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Questions have arisen out of the Novacare Complex about this season, after signing a five-year $255 Million contract, with the highest yearly payout in NFL history of $51 Million per year and with a QBR drop from 2022 of 101.5 to 89.1 this season.

    After all was said and done — the Pittsburgh Steelers, not the Philadelphia Eagles signed Justin Fields for $3.2 Million for the 2024 season. Instead, the Eagles have secured Will Grier and Kenny Pickett.

    The Eagles did draft Jalen Hurts in that covid-restricted 2020 NFL Draft.

    And Carson Wentz. He’d very soon be on his way out in Philadelphia.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

    Source link