Head Coach Doug Pederson met with the media today following the Eagles loss against the Lions this past Sunday. The good news from the press conference is that Jason Peters is going to be fine. He suffered a little bit of nausea yesterday during the game when he left, but he felt better as the game went on, and returned. Coach said he wasn’t sure if it was the heat or what caused the sudden illness, but Peters is fine now. Andre Dillard (knee) also appears to be OK and will be able to play this week. Pederson said that he was still waiting word on Ronald Darby (hamstring) and he will have more information on that either later today or tomorrow.
Coach had a simple message for the team and the media when asked about what teaching points he will be using this week to prevent drops in a game. Pederson simply said, “Just catch the football.” That message seems to be easier said than done for our current receivers. With that said, there is hope that Alshon Jeffery may be given the green light to play against Green Bay this Thursday. Pederson said, “I’m optimistic. I am hoping he is ready to go. We’ll see what happens this week. We have a couple days and walk-through later today. We will see what happens when the guys get in here today.”
Pederson said that the team is moving on to Green Bay. He hasn’t watched much of the film from yesterday loss and doesn’t plan to. Coach said that they may revisit the film when they have more time, but with the short work week ahead of them, they are putting the loss to the lions behind them. He did see the OPI calls though and said that he agrees with them. Pederson said that the team needs to get that right and he seems to feel the frustration that Eagles fans have with the teams self-inflicting wounds. He said that he wouldn’t blame injuries for the Eagles last two games, but he would point the finger on the team’s turnovers and penalties.
He also had a message for JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Miles Sanders. Pederson, when asked about the performance of the two rookies, he said, “We drafted both of those guys for a reason. And that is to come in and help us win games. You know, both of them have had opportunities to come in and play early this season. I think it is great experience for both of them. You know, JJ is going to get better every time he takes the field. [He’s] just learning the game, and just learning how to prepare, and study defensive backs. Like, what are the tendencies of defensive backs? Just like they look are receivers, and all of that is part of becoming a professional, and that is what these two guys are learning right now.” Coach went on to say that, “But both of these guys are going to be fine. I am excited about their futures and how they can help us win.”
The team will be having a walk-through today and hope to get a win in Green Bay on Thursday to turn this season around.
