The Eagles were back to work Wednesday and quarterback Jalen Hurts spent some time talking to reporters after practice. He talked a little about finding a rhythm, preparing for the Rams and how he makes an effort to spread the ball.
His message was clear: all that matters is winning, no matter how you look. He noted that winning and losing, success and failure are all subjective, but for him, winning as a team is all that matters.
Here’s what else the QB had to say:
On what it means to get into a rhythm
“Every match is different.
I think you have to understand that I only play the game to win, and my role in each match will be different. And the approach to each game is different.
You just want to go out there and do your job and take advantage of the opportunities, obviously, and I think things are a little more amplified because there are fewer opportunities in certain areas, but at the end of the day it’s is about winning the game. We’re talking about playoff football.
On the Rams’ development
“Right off the bat, they’ve always been a great team, and we caught them when they were hot – and we catch them when they’re hot again. This is a young team, led by a great coach, a great quarterback and great players all around. They have an excellent defense. They were very disruptive from the start.
I just have to come in and execute. I think in a game like this it starts in the trenches and we were able to move the ball around effectively. So I hope that we will continue to impose our will from the outset.
Hurts said the Rams having nine sacks last week against Minnesota isn’t something they really think about when they plan, they try to focus on the things they can control.
They also don’t rely too much on their play from the start of the season. Saquon Barkley managed to have a big game, but Hurts noted that each game is its own game — they’ll watch the tape, but recognize that it’s a different team than the group they played in Week 12.
Takeaways from the Wild Card win
“I think there were opportunities – there’s always going to be something you want back, or wish you could have done or enjoyed, but at the end of the day I think we all make plays when we had them the most need, and I think that’s what matters.”
Spreading the ball around
Asked about the effort to get the ball to AJ Brown, especially following a rare one-catch game, Hurts said the focus was always on spreading the ball.
“I think it’s important to get everyone involved. Make an effort to be effective in what we do and (AJ Brown is) a big part of what we do. DeVonta (Smith) is a big part of what we do. Dallas (Goedert). Saquon (Barkley). Everyone. Everyone has a role. And so, I think it’s about managing everything that we have and trying to leverage everything to be effective.
Hurts was then asked about other teams trying to take away the running game and stop Saquon Barkley, but the QB explained that it was a bit of a loaded question because he couldn’t remember a game in which it worked.
“AILMENTS: I don’t think there was a match where he was taken away.
JOURNALIST: That’s true, but they tried to…
AILMENTS: (smiling) They try, you know. He’s a great player, and I think we complement each other well, and he’s been able to get some dirty yards, some dirty yards, and pretty quickly he makes one. This has been a big part of our success this year as a team. And it’s a credit to everyone who plays a role in this.
The QB later explained how Barkley is a special player and that his ability to be as healthy as he is at this point in the season, and after nearly 400 carries, is not normal. He said the RB came to Philadelphia very hungry and had to fight through some things, but Barkley is very dedicated.
Other notables
- The QB said he wasn’t trying to send any message by practicing in short sleeves this week and last time, and simply noted that he likes to keep things consistent and that’s how he works. he plays.
- Hurts was asked about the play in which he took the snap under center that wasn’t a play action, and while the QB noted he didn’t call the play, it’s something which he doesn’t mind doing. He added that there are different things he knows he can do, it’s just a matter of knowing when it’s needed or used.
