Eagles News: Carson Wentz Named NFC Offensive Player Of The Week
Carson Wentz. (USA Today Sports)
Surprise, surprise: Carson Wentz has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Philadelphia’s 34-3 victory over the Steelers in Week 3. Wentz completed 74% of his passes against Pittsburgh for 301 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 125.9 passer rating.
Wentz is the first rookie passer in Eagles history to earn this honor. The award is just another reminder how impressive Wentz has been through his first three games. The 23-year-old quarterback continues to make statistical history with each passing week.
Wentz is one of five rookies who has been nominated this week for NFL Rookie of the Week. Wentz took home the award in Week 1 and he’s likely to be crowned this week’s winner when the award is announced on Friday. Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood is also eligible for the honor.
And now for a look at some other Eagles news and notes …
CARSON WENTZ IS BLOWING JASON KELCE’S MIND
Even Wentz’s teammates can’t believe how well he’s playing.
Jason Kelce to Carson Wentz: "Are you a f*cking robot?!! WTF, you're playing Madden out there." https://t.co/jfm51YQiye
— John Barchard | Monetize Philly (@JohnBarchard) September 28, 2016
DOUG PEDERSON TALKS WITH THE MMQB
The Eagles’ head coach was a guest on The MMQB podcast with Albert Breer. Pederson mostly talked about Wentz, including the moment he was first sold on the rookie.
“We all came away, and I came away, from that visit in North Dakota feeling very comfortable with this guy. I just knew kinda, down in your gut, in that area of your being that says ‘This feels right. This guy is going to be successful.’ I had that same kind of feeling from Russell Wilson, when I worked him out up in Wisconsin a few years ago. A lot of times that gut instinct is right.”
“Not saying it’s perfect or are we there yet or have we arrived, but at the same time I knew that Carson could be a special teammate, a special player, a good quarterback in the National Football League. Everything just felt good coming away from that workout and all the study we did on him. And really all the quarterbacks. Making sure we exhausted every ounce to make sure we were making the right decision going forward for the team.”
Listen to the entire interview here starting around the 18:10 mark.
STEELERS PLAYER THINKS EAGLES ARE SUPER BOWL BOUND
Steelers offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert was impressed by the Eagles’ blowout win over Pittsburgh on Sunday, according to a story Brandon Graham told Angelo Cataldi on SportsRadio 94WIP.
“He gave me a nice compliment after the game and just told me, ‘We’ll see you guys in the Super Bowl because ain’t nobody gonna be able to block ya’ll. It was kinda cool. It was kinda cool.”
Graham has played very well in his return to the 4-3 defense. The 2010 first round pick has three sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery through three games. He’s a key part of a dominant Eagles defensive line.
PRACTICE SQUAD UPDATE
The Eagles released 2015 sixth round pick JaCorey Shepherd from the practice squad in order to re-sign undrafted rookie free agent Darrell Greene. The Eagles cut Greene and signed Shepherd last week.