Eagles News: Redskins Player Not Suspended For Dirty Hit On Darren Sproles

The NFL got this one wrong.
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Darren Sproles. (Jeff Fusco)

Darren Sproles. (Jeff Fusco)

Washington defender Deshazor Everett reportedly will NOT be suspended for the hit that injured Eagles’ running back Darren Sproles during a punt return in Week 14. The Washington Post reports Everett will likely receive a fine, however.

Here’s a replay of the vicious hit.

Several Eagles players felt Everett’s hit, which instigated a scuffle following the play, was a cheap shot. So did a number of national writers, including Peter King.

I think the penalty on Washington safety Deshazor Everett for interfering with Philadelphia punt returner Darren Sproles was the kind of foul that might merit a special category in the rules. Situation: Punt coming down to Sproles, Everett sprinting toward Sproles and trying to time his hit just as the ball reaches Sproles … and BOOM—before the ball arrives, Everett destroys Sproles. It’s as vicious a hit as you’ll see on an exposed punt returner. I don’t know if Sproles was concussed on the play—he wasn’t available after the game—but that’s the kind of hit that simply doesn’t belong in football. Rather than a fine, I think that hit ought to be strongly considered for a one-game suspension for Everett.

Everett showed remorse in his comments after the game.

“I’m happy about my interception. I’m happy about the way I played,” Everett told Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post.“But if I could have taken that split second back, I definitely would. It’s too late. You can’t take it back. You can’t rewind. It’s not a video game. You make choices out there on the field, and you’ve just got to live with it. Unfortunately, it was a bad hit.”

Everett’s hit on Sproles wasn’t the only dirty play he was involved in on Sunday, though. He was also flagged for an illegal blindside block on Brent Celek. Celek left the game with a stinger injury and did not return.

It doesn’t end there! He even had a late hit on Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis.

Whether Everett’s hit on Sproles was intentional or not, the feeling here is a suspension was deserved. The NFL made a serious mistake by not suspending him. This kind of hit just shouldn’t happen in football if the league is truly concerned about the safety of its’ players.

Everett doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt, especially considering he was responsible for several dirty hits in the game.

And now for a look at some other Eagles news and notes …

DOUG PEDERSON TALKS ABOUT THE RAVENS

First, Pederson on Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

“One thing about special teams coaches — Harbs was definitely this way — he’s with the team as much as I am, because he’s with everybody. A lot of time special teams coaches can make good head coaches. He’s definitely done that in Baltimore. I think, too, over the years he’s brought in great assistant coaches, good coordinators, offensively, defensively, and on special teams. The way he leads, you know, some of the same things just for that one year that I was here, that I can remember, the things he did with special teams, those meetings, obviously you see him doing it with this football team. Very smart guy. Look forward to shaking his hand this weekend.”

Pederson was also asked about the similarities between Carson Wentz and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

“Obviously their size and arm strength are very similar. I think Joe throws the deep ball extremely well. He’s very accurate with the deep pass. He’s another one that can get the ball out of his hand extremely fast. He can set his feet and get the ball out. I think one thing watching this offense, with [Ravens offensive coordinator] Marty [Mornhinweg] calling the plays, you see a little bit more of what we do a little bit with the ‘West Coast’ stuff, the core plays that are there, utilizing the personnel. He understands his personnel. He’s a very patient quarterback. He just sort of lets the game unfold and takes what the defense gives him and manages it that way. If he gets an opportunity to shoot the ball down the field, he’ll do it, and he’s very accurate doing it.”

PFF HIGH ON ISAAC SEUMALO

Pro Football Focus named the Eagles’ 2016 third-round pick one of the best 10 players from Week 14.

“Rookie offensive linemen tend not to produce from the outset, and Seumalo has had his struggles already this season, but not this week against Washington. This week he played 78 snaps and didn’t allow a single pressure, nor was he penalized in the game. He and left tackle Jason Peters were the only Eagles linemen to make it through the game without surrendering pressure of some kind, and this represents the best game of his rookie season so far.”

Seumalo will practice at right tackle with Allen Barbre missing practice on Wednesday. Barbre is expected to return, but if he can’t play this week, it’ll be Seumalo starting out on the edge. If Barbre is healthy, it will be Stefen Wisniewski who starts at left guard, and not Seumalo.

CARSON WENTZ RESPONDS TO A YOUNG EAGLES FAN

PRACTICE SQUAD UPDATE

The Eagles had a vacancy on the practice squad after signing Byron Marshall to the 53-man roster. Philadelphia signed tight end Anthony Denham to fill the open spot. Denham originally joined the Eagles’ practice squad in October before being released two weeks ago.

Here’s an updated look at the Eagles’ entire 10-man practice squad.

LB Don Cherry
TE Anthony Denham
OG Darrell Greene
CB Aaron Grymes
TE Marcel Jensen
WR Marcus Johnson
QB Aaron Murray
C Aaron Neary
DT Aziz Shittu
WR David Watford

JON RUNYAN IS DOING A REDDIT AMA

Want to ask former Eagles offensive tackle and current NFL vice president of the policy and rules administration Jon Runyan a question? Go on over to r/Eagles by clicking here.

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