Eagles Wake-Up Call: Developing A ‘Dynamic Receiver’
Jordan Matthews and Dorial Green-Beckham. (Jeff Fusco)
While Carson Wentz and Zach Ertz appeared to finally get into a rhythm on Sunday, the rookie quarterback still has some work to do with another one of his big targets: Dorial Green-Beckham. Despite five targets against the Giants, the 23-year-old receiver caught zero passes for the first time this season as he and Wentz didn’t look to be on the same page.
“It’s tough, but it’s about putting in that extra time. I feel like since I’ve only been here for a good two months, the timing is going to be off,” Green-Beckham said. “But we know it starts at practice and carries over to the game. Each and every week, we have to work on those little details.”
The second-year receiver has just 18 catches for 194 yards and one touchdown this season, but he’s only played around half of the offense’s snaps as the Eagles slowly incorporated him into their game plan. According to Jordan Matthews, Green-Beckham has shown incremental improvement since arriving in Philadelphia.
Matthews attributed Green-Beckham’s growth to the Eagles’ intensity at practice, something he thinks Green-Beckham may not have benefited from with the Titans last season.
“That has to do with culture lots of times. I wasn’t in Tennessee with him, but I know when he was in Tennessee, some of the guys who were receivers there aren’t there anymore. And then some of the older guys, those vets maybe were in the back half of their career where they don’t have to put as much out on the [practice] field to perform in games,” Matthews said.
“We’re getting crisper and doing those things, but the intensity just has to be higher. Now, with all hands on deck — everybody’s back [healthy] — that’s just the next thing that’s going to take DGB to the next level. His routes have gotten crisper, he’s more focused, learned the plays [and] doing those things, but now it’s just bringing the dog out.”
One of the big focuses for Green-Beckham has been how to use his 6-5, 237-pound frame full of impressive athleticism. Green-Beckham said he studies Julio Jones because of how well the Falcons receiver attacks the ball in the air, but Doug Pederson also mentioned Terrell Owens as someone Green-Beckham should watch film of.
“He’s a young player. Again, remember, we got him late in the [offseason] here, so he’s been kind of behind the teaching curve. He hasn’t had a full offseason yet under our system,” Pederson said. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re doing the right things, putting him in the right situations and understanding his strengths. He’s a great slant runner; he’s an in-cut guy; he’s big and powerful. We just want to keep developing his talent because I think he can be a dynamic receiver.”
WHAT YOU MISSED
“This is America and we’ll wait and see what happens.” Some Eagles players are “shocked” and “concerned” after Donald Trump was elected President.
“I’m probably going to deal with this shit for the rest of this year, unless it just magically disappears.” Leodis McKelvin’s hamstring injury may linger for the rest of the season.
“We don’t have to make a move right now. There’s no hurry.” Doug Pederson is taking his time finding the best fit to fill the empty roster spot left by Josh Huff.
“I think you’ll see more of a role for him, at least in the coming weeks.” Look for Bryce Treggs to have a larger role in the offense in the near future.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Bennie Logan is eager to return to the field and to “bring a lot of energy” Sunday against the Falcons, writes Andrew Kulp of CSNPhilly.com.
Logan is a huge reason for that early success. The 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive tackle answered questions as to whether he was a fit for the wide-nine defensive front, matching his career high of 2.0 sacks in only five games this season. He also has three quarterback hits and three tackles for loss
The Eagles sure could use that kind of impact against the Falcons, who boast the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL. Logan knows his teammates along the defensive line are counting on his presence this week.
“It was very frustrating to me and very stressful to be watching instead of being out there helping and contributing,” Logan said.
“I’ve got to bring a lot of energy. Those guys have been grinding out these past weeks, so it’s my turn to come out there and help lift them up and go out there and compete.”
Matt Ryan’s experience in the NFL is what Carson Wentz needs to thrive in the pros, opines Les Bowen of the Daily News.
Pederson, Ryan and Wentz all talked to one degree or another about experience Wednesday. Ryan detailed how he made adjustments to his mechanics and his thinking this past offseason – the offseason between his eighth and ninth seasons. Wentz is between his eighth and ninth career starts, as he tries to learn how to avoid throwing multiple early interceptions, something he has been guilty of in two of the last three games.
“They’re all kind of situational,” said Wentz, who has thrown five picks total, four in the first quarters of the Vikings and Giants games. The first quarter is the only quarter in which the Eagles are being outscored by opponents. “A couple of ’em have been third downs. I don’t think (there’s a common thread).”
Is he coming out too fired up, overthrowing?
“I don’t think so,” said Wentz, who is 177-for-275, 64.4 percent, with nine touchdowns and the five interceptions and an 87.7 passer rating. “I’m a pretty calm-demeanored guy. I’m very confident out there. I’m very excited and I love the game. I’m passionate about it, but, at the same time, I’m calm when I need to be, and I don’t think that’s any of the reason those interceptions have happened early.”
COMING UP
Frank Reich and Jim Schwartz will speak to the media at 10:40.
Chris Jastrzembski contributed to this post.