Jalen Hurts sends a strong message with the words he used to describe the Eagles’ losing streak.
Jalen Hurts could have started the firestorm he did this week with just a few words. It would have worked if he had talked about the work, pride, or honesty he wants from his team.
The quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, who is often philosophical, instead talked about their dedication.
“We’ve been talking regarding execution all year,” Hurts said Monday night, after the Eagles lost their third straight game, 20–17 to the Seattle Seahawks. “Having the same thoughts. We didn’t carry out.
Soon after, he said again that “starting with the little things, showing just how dedicated we are to accomplishing what we’re doing” would help the Eagles’ season. “I don’t believe we all gave it enough.”
Then Hurts added the part of his Monday speech that was missed but became the rallying cry of their Thursday news conference.
“That starts with me.” Hurts said, “I don’t have a dictionary with me right now,” when asked to explain. “Pardon me. That’s all I can say.
Many people today don’t like context and nuance, so the NFL world jumped on Hurts’ use of a word that questions not skill but willingness.
Many people were interested in the use of the plural “we,” and some even seemed to think it meant a subject that didn’t include himself. The always-thoughtful Hurts sent a public note to his team, which makes people wonder.
Hurts said those exact words six times when he met with reporters Thursday before the Eagles’ game with the New York Giants on Christmas Day.
He hasn’t thrown an interception in either of the last two games, and in their 42–19 loss at home to the 49ers, he only threw one.
This season, the Eagles may need more assistance from Hurts because their defense is a mess. Other messages that Hurts repeated on purpose included taking “ownership” and setting “the tone” and “the temperature.”
The Eagles need to get better at practice, execution, and teamwork if they want to beat not only the New York Giants (twice) and the Arizona Cardinals at the end of the regular season, along with the teams they’ll face in the playoffs.
This is because Philadelphia wants to defend its NFC title and win the Super Bowl this year. In 2017, the Eagles’ defense was ranked third in defensive DVOA, second to yards allowed, and eighth in points allowed.
This year, they are now ranked 23rd in defensive DVOA, 22nd in kilometers allowed, and 26th in points allowed.
Last week, Philadelphia fired Sean Desai as defensive coordinator and put in-house expert Matt Patricia in his place.
Even though Patricia had been an assistant and head coach before, it was still a very unusual move for a 10-win team to switch coaches in December.
He is aware that his mistakes need to go down (12 interceptions in 14 games vs. 6 in 15 games last year). He talked about them along with his eight mistakes on Thursday, but he didn’t just list problems. He agreed that there was a way to solve the problem.
There are many reasons to think that the Eagles, their attack, and Hurts will do well, especially since they finish their regular-season schedule against teams with records of 5-9 and 3-11.
It’s more concerning that Philadelphia’s defense is weak than its offense, which played well in wins over the Dolphins in Miami, the Cowboys (at home), the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Buffalo Bills.
But as the starting quarterback for the team that got a huge raise in the spring, Hurts knows that’s not just his job.
He’s not the second-round pick who played so well beyond his deal that he should be the MVP. Philadelphia must prevail because of their quarterback, not just with him, especially since the defense is still learning how to handle a lot of turnovers.
Hurts told reporters Thursday, “My mind was in a place where I was going to really just challenge myself.”
“I am the beginning of everything.” So when I say “we,” I really mean “me.” I’m the point guard that keeps everything moving, and everyone trusts me to set the pace.
“I know I have to start with myself because there is a lot to learn.” It all starts with me. That’s something I own.
I’m responsible for that, and I’ve never tried to avoid it. I’m excited about the task that has been set for me and my teammates.