Eagles 360: December 27

little bit disappointing this season. Everybody knows they started out three and Ozho had that five game losing streak. But I do feel good about a lot of aspects of the future. I wonder if there was one thing you could change about the season. Yeah. The one thing that I can change, and it will be part of my takeaways, will be Lane Johnson's suspension. Yeah, I think more than any single thing that hurt this team. I happen to

agree with that. And we will get Sigland McNeill's takeaways from the game on Thursday against the New York Giants. And we've got a great show for you. But first let's get you caught up with everything happening on this Tuesday at the Overcare Complex. The Eagles coordinators meeting the media on Tuesday, Frank Reich and Jim Schwartz. Alex Smith is here to give you the update. It's our three sixty update with Alex Smith. Hi everyone, and happy holidays.

I'm Alex Smith here with your three sixty update. The Eagles are getting set for their final regular season game of the two sixteen season as they welcome the rival Dallas Cowboys into town on Sunday afternoon. And today we heard from offensive coordinator Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and we'll start things off with hearing from Schwartz as he talks about the challenges and preparing for a Cowboys team when he's not certain yet as to whether or

not the starters will play in this game. We probably have to prepare for three different quarterbacks, you know, not just Prescott, who we've already played once and you know we have a lot of film one, but Romo, who has a track record. You know, if they if they play him and then Sanchez, so it does spread you a little bit, then a lot of it goes to

the quarterback position. You know, their run game's not going to change regardless of who's getting the ball, but wide receivers and you know how they how they work through those wide receivers. That certainly goes into game plan and you know you'd attack each those quarterbacks probably a little bit different, so you know it a little bit like facing their offense. It's going to spread it then our

preparational spread. Then we're gonna need a lot of focus this week and h and be productive on the practice field because there is more than just one scenario that you have to prepare for. As for Reich, he's been their Firstand to see just how far Carson Wentz has improved from becoming the number two overall pick to being named the starter just eight days before the regular he's an opener, and then going on to start every single game here this season for the Eagles, Yeah, I mean

he's exceeded expectations in some ways. But I think when I think what you want to see is you want to see accuracy. You want to see good decision making. You want to see the ability to sustain success when things are going well, to maintain focus and concentration the next week in preparation. You want to see to be able to bounce back after a poor performance. You want to see to be able to when things are going bad in the course of a game, for him to

not waiver. And I think on most of those fronts, I think he's passed the test. All right. Well, that will wrap things up here today from the Novocare Complex. But tomorrow we have a whole gift bag of press conferences coming your way, including from quarterback Carson Wentz, safety Malcolm Jenkins, and others. In a case you missed anything from today's press conferences, you can check it out right here on Philadelphia Eagles dot com and the official Eagles

mobile app. Thanks so much, Alex, We've got a lot to get. Two in the show, head coach Doug Peterson drops by, He'll be in studio with me. We'll take a look around the NFC East, which is one win away from having three teams in the conference playoff picture. But when we returned to Eagles three sixty, we will talk about Glenn mac Now his perspective on this two thousand and sixteen season could include a little bit about the Giants game. Lane Johnson back in the lineup, the

Eagles win four and one with Johnson. There you see the trend. We're coming right back. This portion of Eagles three sixty was presented by Toyota. Now is your chance to vote for the Toyota Player of the Week. Go to Philadelphia Eagles dot com slash Toyota Player of the Week to cast your vote and get a chance at a brand new Toyota. Their legend is legendary. They've seen the end zone more often than any other duo in history.

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let us bring that active lifestyle back to you. Novacare is the exclusive provider of physical therapy to the Philadelphia Eagles and with more than one hundred convenient locations throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey. Go to novocare dot com today and request an appointment online or call eight hundred seven seven zero six six eight two. The Eagle choose Novcare,

So can you? Novacare the power of physical therapy. Be noisy, be silent, be near, be far, be joyful, Beat together, celebrate joy with Duncan's Holiday flavored coffees, espressos and donuts. America runs on Duncan. We welcome you back at Eagles three sixty Dave Spidero and Glenn Mac Now time now for Glenn to give us his five takeaways from this twenty and sixteen Eagle season. All right, well, let's start with the biggest thing, which of course was Carson Wentz.

And he started out the season just brilliantly made it look too easy, which, of course, it isn't that easy. Wentz played with a makeshift line, he played with a dearth of talent at wide receiver and running back, and I think he made the most of his rookie season. Dave, he's got poise, he bounces back from adversity we saw the last few games. How much he can use his legs, how much he can extend plays. I think we'll see that on the line. You know, he had some mechanical issues.

He overthrew it too far. He has to learn how out to throw into coverage. But I feel now for the first time since Donovan McNabb left after O nine, that the Eagles are set at quarterback for years to come. I would think, Glenn, that that is a unanimous thought out there. Maybe maybe not, but kind of hard to see how you could watch him play for fifteen games and not arrive at that same conclusion. There you go.

Number two. We talked about a lot, about a lot about Lane Johnson, and that really is a big issue because to me, other than Wentz, no single player had a bigger impact on this season than Lane Johnson. What he meant in run blocking. You saw the first drive back against the Giants. There's your Giants talk. The Eagles improved to four and one with him in the lineup, and against the Giants, two thirds of their rushing yards came in the two gap, three gap right to his left,

right to his right. He was contrite when he came back, says he needs to grow, says he's not going to make the same mistake. I want to believe that I want to think that next year, Lane Johnson will play all sixteen games and the Eagles will benefit from that. Yeah, and you wonder how much the Eagles can trust him or how much they will bridge that trust with some reinforcements. Should Lane have another strike in that policy which would

cost him two full seasons. Okay, So number three, let's talk about the entire offensive line, which I think I may feel more optimistic about than a lot of people, maybe even you. They'll talk to me, well, if Lane Johnson does have the next year that we think he can have by playing all the games, if you bring back Jason Peters and he gives you what he gave you this year, really nice bounce back year, I will see whether or not Kelsey comes back. I think Barrett

Brooks kind of dealt with Brandon Brooks. Excuse me, I heard Barrett on their way. Brandon Brooks dealt with some of his problems, and I think you can count on him going forward. You want to believe that, And I think with Vitai and with Sam Aloud, they got some young reinforcements. They have a lot of needs. This offseason. We'll talk about him, but to me, offensive line maybe better off than people think. Right. I guess my only point would be, are you going to be good at

offensive line? Are you going to be very good? Or are you going to be dominating? And we see what dominating does in Dallas. I want to be dominating up front. Well, how much faith do you have in the two young kids? A lot of faith in those guys, Well, then that means a lot going. All right? Number four, Let's talk about Doug Peterson a little bit. Let's talk about his rookie year. I think he is creative. I think he

is gutsy. I think he is not kind of tied into the hide bound coaches conventional wisdom, and I like that about him. But creative can also sometimes look goofy, and this town can micromanage everything a head coach does. He dealt with some of that this year. I am the seasons with mixed feelings about Doug Peterson. He's obviously a guy who knows football. He understands how offenses work. And it's nice to have a coach that treats people

around him. Well, we haven't always had that around this building. That's a good thing. I worry that he's got to be tougher with the players. There were a few times this year I thought that Doug Peterson has to really show that he's got teeth. I also, for what it's worth, think he's a little awkward answering questions, which leads to some communication issues. Like a lot of rookies, there's room for improvement. I think he's got it. We'll see the second year. We will see a second year. He'll be

judged very, very sternly. Of course in year number two as well. All right, number five, Dave, here you go. All of that said, I think there's gonna be at least twenty new faces on the roster next year, maybe more. It's gonna be a very active it has to be a very active free Agenciason for the Eagles because you can't get everything you need in the draft. They need a complete revamp at wide receiver other than Jordan Matthews. To me, I think you may turn over that entire squad.

The cornerback situation needs to be addressed it. I think it's needed to be addressed year after years, since what twenty ten they addressed it. This offseason needs to be addressed again. I think I think they're gonna need an edge rusher. I think they have to redo the running back situation. I think they could use another linebacker. It will be a very active as season, through the draft, through non drafted free agency. You hope you hit one or two on those and they will have to be

active in free agent. I think twenty is a really high number. I really don't think they're gonna roster. They're gonna turn this roster over like that. I'll bet you that meal that we never called. I did pay that off. I'll bet you another meal on that. I don't think you pay that off. So I did. I did? I remember paid it off in Havertown, Derby Road. I did a three man roster, twenty new players. All right, there you go on the record. A meal is on the line. Okay,

good stuff. Glen McNew's five takeaways with one game to go in this two thousand and sixteen season, He mentioned Doug Peterson when we return Doug Peterson head coach in studio. This portion of Eagles three sixty was presented by Rothman at Jefferson. The Eagles and Rothman Institute at Jefferson are partnering to celebrate the top high school football teams and coaches in the Tri State area with the High School Football Showdown. Visit the website to vote for the game

of the week and support your school. Check back daily for new matchup. Their legend is legendary. They've seen the end zone more often than any other duo in history. They are professional football player watches. Become a pro fan only with Xfinity X one. Call or click today. Take your spring vacation with Eagles players and alumni on Apple

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throw out there. We can really give them the business. Let's sock it to him. Yeah, fair and square. All right, Holy slokes. The old game just can't compete, especially when it comes to innovative energy solutions like the ones NRG uses to power the Eagles. Visit pick nrg dot com today. Be noisy, be silent, be near, be far, be joyful, Be together, Celebrate joy with Duncan's Holiday flavored coffees, espressos,

and donuts. America runs on Duncan Time Now for our weekly one on one with head coach Doug Peterson, presented by Wah Wah and Doug. We've got one game to go here. It's a Tuesday or looking at the Dallas Cowboys. But if I could ask you a little bit about Thursday night. First, I want to start with Carson and the athletic ability that he continues to show. It seems like he's loosening up in the pocket, showing more athletic ability. How does that happen in terms of a progression of

a quarterback. Well, I think just he's allowing the game to kind of unfold to him, and he's not forcing anything, and and he's really he's really just playing the game as a as a as a quarterback, you know, and and uh uh, there were some great lanes, great opportunities for him to use his legs the other night and uh, he was able to do that, picked up some some some much needed yardage and really really kind of a spark in our offense to keep keep some drives alive.

And uh, these are all things that as he sees the field better and he gets more comfortable in the pocket. You know, he's big, strong, he's powerful, and we want him to use his legs as much as he can. Did you see that athletic ability at North Dakota State translating the way it has into the NFL? We did, We did. We saw it. We saw it there in college and and and then and then. You know, sometimes even in the National Football League, it doesn't always present

itself every week for your quarterback to run. But anytime he gets the opportunity, teams that want to play a lot of man coverage, obviously that the one guy they forget about as the quarterback. And we encourage Carson to run as often as you can, but at the same time, you know, protecting his body. He did a nice job sliding and and getting himself out of bounds whenever he can um and and it's just those are just valuable, precious yards that you need as an offense. Someday in

the offense. Is there a read option, uh, chapter that you will use for Carson or will you not? No, we'll use it. And we've used it some this this season. And and defenses are starting to catch up to that RPO stuff. That's the other thing that you see in the league. Uh, you know, they're they're defending it better. Um, But we'll continue to use it and we'll find ways

to be creative in the run game that way. And and and that's the one thing I think the defense is sometimes forget about, is the ability of your quarterback to run, whether it's designed runs or RPO runs. Um, you know, it's it's there. They kind of forget and and I almost say they go to sleep. But but that just becomes another added element, another runner for your offense. He's also just been really good and really improved at making people miss in and around the pocket? Is that innate?

Is that something where the game is slowing down for him? It's a little of both. You know, It's it's him understanding and being aware of the pocket and when when pressure sort of uh kind of closes in on him. You know, it's it's a it's a great ability, it's an awareness that he has. It's sort of that that sixth sense that quarterbacks have sometimes to just kind of feel that kind of stuff. And did a great job

the other night. You know, he ducked a couple of times, and he spun a couple of times and made me nervous a couple of times, you know. But he's such a great athlete that you know he can get away with that. I love to talk about the defense here in the performance through fifteen games, really hanging in there. It's so obvious that quarterbacks are getting rid of the football so quickly, which Nick gates one of the strengths

of his defense, and that's the defensive line. You're exactly right, And uh, you know the other night, Eli sort of prides himself and getting that ball out of his hand. He doesn't like to get hit, and he's got some great underneath skill on the outside that that that that can get open slant routes and little arrow routes and things that, um, where the ball's coming out relatively fast, and it does it doesn't engage your pass rush. But

our defense, um the other night played extremely fast. I thought they were the more physical team upfront, our secondary, the three interceptions were huge. Obviously the pick six by Malcolm was that was a big turning point in that game, even though you know we had a seven nothing lead at the time. And and those are those are things that our defenses, you know, they've done that throughout the quarter.

We just need that on a consistent basis each week. Um, and and then and then offensively, we were able to score when we needed to. I thought Caleb had another another nice game, you know, kicking the football. But uh yeah, defense, it kind of starts with them, you know, as you've seen, I've deferred to start the game, to put our defense

out there to set the tone each week. Can you talk about the safety position as a group, including Terrence Brooks, who I know Joe Douglas had familiarity with, brought him in here at the waiver wire pickup time at the beginning of the season. He made the big play on Thursday night. As you look at it now and then moving forward, how do you feel about safeties? Safeties has been probably are one of our strength on defense. Um,

you know, they're veteran guys. I think, you know, to start the season with Malcolm and Rodney back there, you know, two veteran guys that worked well together, great communication um. And then when Ron Brooks went down, it's sort of disrupted that just a little bit because Malcolm had to come inside. And then you got Jalen Watkins, who you know, and Jalen really has come a long way. He's he's a player that's gotten better each week. He's fitting into

the scheme, you know. And then then Terrence Brooks. You know, Terrence has been primarily a special teams player for us, but got some got some valuable time obviously at the end of that game. And sort of the anchor right now back there has been Rodney. He's been the been the one that's has been steady and and and Malcolm and you know, as far as I'm concerned, has has done a great job for what we've asked him to do. And he's he's moved around, he's played that nickel spot,

he's been back at the safety spot. So he's a valuable player for us and and and great leader on that defense. And but safeties are are you know, it's a tough position to play because we asked him to do a lot of things. Linebacker Jordan Hicks, do you see him as a building block. I do, I do. He's he's he's another one that. Uh he's smart, he's sharp. He gets our defense lined up. You know, he runs extremely well. Um, you know, body type, he's probably not

the prototypical mic linebacker body type. But but he's a tough kid. He and Nigel Bradham both really or kids that you know, I say kids. They stick their nose in there. They take on big offensive lineman. They shed blocks and make plays. So he's a sideline the sideline guy and can run. Um, great leader on that defense. Sunday is the Dallas Cowboys. Doug, what will it mean to beat the Cowboys to get to seven and nine? Well,

it would mean everything. You know. We uh we obviously had an opportunity the first time, you know in Dallas, to to beat this football team. And it's a they're a good team. You know, they're obviously a playoff team and and uh you know clinch it not only the division, but but home field and and um, you know, we get them, we get them again. That's the beauty of your playing your division. You get you get twice. So

you know, we do have unfinished business. We'd like to go out on you know, on top with a win and and but it's going to be another four quarter battle and and uh, guys are going to be rested and had a nice had a nice Christmas break. How do you see this division, Doug? It the NFC East has been a beast this year. Is it here to

stay for the long term? I think so? And the reason I say that is is you look at all the four teams and and and got great quarterbacks, you know, some young quarterbacks, even with Kirk Cousins in there, who's played extremely well this season. And now you got Dak and Carson in there, and and um you'll you'll wildly Vet and Eli you know. So now there's great skill and ability good quarterbacks. Uh, you know, it's a it's a it's the black and blue division of uh of

the football football world right now. And and I think it's really as as each year comes and goes. I think it can be anybody's anybody's ball game to have and and uh, we just got to get ourselves right and make sure that we're uh, you know, we're in contention for that for that division title every year. Doug, thanks so much. Good luck against Cowboys. Doug Peterson one on one presented by Wahwa No care, nothing, taste of feeling.

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Are you here to buy the tickets? Hey, buddy, you here for the tickets? Yeah? Dude, what's the password? Man? What are you thinking? We're doing like a CD ticket deal instead of going to NFL Ticket Exchange. NFL Ticket Exchange Verified. I'll tickets from one fan to the other. We'll see it at the games. All right, Yes, sir, all right, appreciate it. We are back. Dave Spannarrow, Glenn mcnaw. Time now to take a look around. The NFC is

presented by Bob's Discount Furniture and Glenn. We talked about this last couple of years here. Last year terrible production in the division this year. It's the NFC Beast and all that has to happen for Washington to make the playoffs is if the Redskins at home beat the New York Giants, who have nothing to play for it, right, Giants are locked into the five seed in the NFC, so they really don't have a lot to play. I don't know if they will. You know, you're in that

situation with a team. Let's take the Giants here where that you don't want to coast in the playoffs. You want to play it. They will certainly start Eli. It'll be his one hundred and ninety ninth Stardi's third all time, but how long will he play? I don't know. I end up the season impressed by the Giants more than I was as it was going through. Their defense got

so much better. Those free agents that Reece the GM signed during the year got better, and Landon Collins is really a guy you have to talk about when you talk about NFC depensive player of the Year. I know the Redskins have been up and down all season, very very potent offense with Kirk Cousins, but he has struggled a bit down this stretch here a couple of weeks ago, really shut down wins against Chicago last weekend. Now he's got the playoffs and maybe his future at stake with

the Washington Redskins. I believe that if the Redskins get in the playoffs, they will do some damage because of that offense. Well maybe. And the thing about the Redskins this year is they beat good teams and they lose to bad team. So now we'll see if they can beat They have to be a good team in the playoffs. He is very up and down and we'll see how that works. The thing I think really helped them this year was Robert Kelly. They discovered a running back who

is tough to tackle, who was very good. We saw him against the Eagles. That could help them in the playoffs in January, and then they Dallas Cowboys on Monday night continue to roll the big win against the Detroit Lions. Cowboys coming to town having already clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. They are the team to beat

in the NFC. Let's hope they are beaten. Jerry Jones says he is going to play Zak Press Dak Prescott excuse me, n Ze Elliott, but Dak Prescott, he did play a lot last night until they put away Detroit. We'll see. You've seen two starting quarterbacks, two playoff potential quarterbacks, get hurt, get knocked out in the pocket, right ja pocket? Not not throwing a block? No, no, no, oh, you working that in. Yes, I did wedge that criticism. For

the record, I did not like that block. But what football? Play football? Okay? And now the Cowboys coming here last week, here's my prediction. Dak Prescott will start, He'll play a couple series and then Mark sent Chez. Yes, how fun will that? It'll be a blast? Eagles Cowboys Sunday, one o'clock at Lincoln Financial Field. That is our look around the NFC is presented by Bob's Discount Furniture. One segment to go here on Eagles three sixty. Glenn and I

are coming or right back. Their legend is legend ivy. They've seen the end zone more often than any other duo in history. They are professional football player watchers become a pro fan only the Dexfinity X one callerflect Today. You say crazy, I say crafted, You say savage. I say practiced, crazy, crafted, savage practice. Let's run that whole thing back. You say unbelievable, I say achievable. You say incredible.

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They are professional football player. Watches become a pro fan only with Xfinity X one caller click today our final segment here on Eagles three sixty Dave and Glenn, Let's get you set up with everything happening on Wednesday's or Amirosso's on the menu segment. We've got defensive backs coach Corey Unlin in studio. We've got Doug Peterson and a host of others meeting the media and the All Pro the Hall of Famer, former Eagles wide receiver and current

radio analyst Mike Quick is my co host. On the day, we'll get some big picture of views from Mike Amrosso's the reason Billy sandwiches are so famous. Glenn, did you think ever after that three and I'll start that we would be in this position with basically a meaningless game in the standings ahead? Yeah, I thought it was possible

that the Eagles still wouldn't make the playoffs. I mean, that's you know, it's a lot to ask for a young team, but I did think the last two games against the Giants and against Dallas you'd be playing for it. They're not. But what they're playing for now, and Dave, we've been down this road before, is new coach. You want to finish strong, You want to show something going into the next year. We saw it with Andy Reid.

We saw it way before that with Buddy Ryan. The game's important for the Eagles, maybe not for the Cowboys, but you win the last two, I think it gives you something for the office. Yeah. So Eagles trying to finish with a little smile on the faces here at the Overcare Complex and at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday is the time for that to happen. Glenn mcnell Dave Spidero you're back on Thursday. Might quick with me on Wednesday.

Until then, everyone, thanks for joining us, have yourselves a great Eagles Day.