State of the Birds Ep. 1: Jalen Hurts, a 14-Second Drive, and Why Big-Time Players Make Big-Time Plays
The Eagles were down 20 to 17 in the fourth quarter. Then we got the kind of finish that reminds you why this game is worth loving. In the first episode of State of the Birds, I break down what I saw, as a former Eagle, a coach, and a fan.
Where the team was emotionally
The Eagles came in off a strong divisional win with a lot to build on. The defense had its ups and downs but prevailed. Hurts had touchdowns the week before. I think the mindset was "I like where we are, but we can get better."
Week one is when you get your feet wet and see where you are physically. Week two is when you start to say, "I think I know who we are." But this team is brand new, with a new offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio back running the defense, so it is still figuring out its identity.
The fourth quarter told the story
Tennessee was gashing the defense with big runs, and Cam Ward was working play-action. But the Eagles came out swinging and forced two interceptions early, and they kept fighting when it got hard. As I said in the episode: "You should feel really really confident in this new offensive coordinator, and obviously the defense is who they are, and they just going to keep getting better every single week."
Why I felt confident, even while nervous
Down three, I was nervous, and I'll admit that. But I was confident because of how Jalen Hurts was running the offense. They were getting put in third-and-long and second-and-long, which is not where an offense wants to be. He kept the drive alive anyway, hitting DeVonta Smith on the sideline twice before the game-winner.
"You put your faith in the one who's got it done for you time and time again."
The game-winner, from a receiver's eyes
With 14 seconds left, first and goal, Hurts rolled right and floated it to the back of the end zone. Cooper won on the play, pushing vertical, getting across the back of the end zone, and keeping two feet in bounds. I was undrafted, coming out of Philly and signing with the Eagles. Seeing another undrafted player get a real shot at a moment like that hits my heart. As I told him when I met him: "I'm living through you."
Luck or bound to happen?
Someone asked if this win was lucky. My answer: "We don't do luck around here." When Hurts responds after mistakes, that is who he is. As I said in the episode, "Sometimes you got to lose some to gain some."
What has to get better
- Offense: Be more positive on first and second down so you avoid long third downs.
- Defense: Get more stout against the run. When a team gets its run game going, everything else opens up.
At the end, the Eagles firmly came together in the run game and got the stop that forced a field goal. That's a good foundation for next week.
Your turn: Is Jalen Hurts a top-10 quarterback? Tell me in the comments.
I'm Rasheed Bailey: former Eagle, undrafted, 10 years pro, two-time Grey Cup champion. State of the Birds is part of The Keep Going Podcast. Keep going.