Wednesday Media Transcript: Head Coach Ben McAdoo

Head Coach Ben McAdoo

September 20, 2017

Opening Statement: Alright, we’ve got a big challenge again this week. Playing a veteran team, it’s hard to beat at home. They’re led by a young, dynamic and impressive quarterback in Carson Wentz. He’s having a tremendous start to the season. He’s protected by a well-coached offensive line and surrounded by talented perimeter group, including (Zach) Ertz, (Alshon) Jeffery, (Torrey) Smith and (Nelson) Agholor. They have a stable halfback with a variety of skill sets. They do a nice job at the halfback position. Their defense is a well-coordinated, attacking unit. They go too deep in the defensive line group with no drop-off there. Really too many names to mention. (Jordan) Hicks anchors the linebacking core and he continues to grow in the role. (Malcolm) Jenkins and (Rodney) McLeod lead the secondary. Special teams is fast and physical. (Chris) Maragos, (Najee) Goode, (Mychal) Kendricks, (Kamu) Grugier-Hill and (Trey) Burton all lead the way there and (Donnie) Jones does a good job generating field position for the group. With that, let’s open it up.

Q: What happened to TE Evan Engram?

A: He’s in the protocol.

Q: Did something happen to Engram in the game?

A: After the game I found out. Yes.

Q: Was he able to make it through everything he did today?

A: He’s in the protocol. He had a non-contact practice today.

Q: How did WR Odell Beckham Jr. come through?

A: He was out here getting some limited work today.

Q: Did Beckham take a step back?

A: He was in a limited role today and we’ll monitor him as the week goes on. Today was really a jog-thru type practice for us.

Q: Do you anticipate that Beckham will be limited the entire season during practice?

A: We’ll take it day-by-day. See how he responds to treatment.

Q: Is T Bobby Hart the same ankle that was hurt before?

A: I believe it’s the same ankle.

Q: What happened with CB Janoris Jenkins?

A: It’s something that worsened as the week went on.

Q: Is Jenkins hurt from the previous week?

A: It’s something that worsened as the week went on.

Q: Was Hart able to practice?

A: He was able to make it through Thursday practice. Yes.

Q: Did something major happen on the two plays that T Bobby Hart was involved in?

A: It just re-aggravated it.

Q: Is this the biggest coaching challenge that you’ve had in your career?

A: We take it week-to-week. Each week is a new challenge. A lot of people are counting us out and so be it. We hold ourselves to a high standard in the building and we have a great challenge this week and we’re looking forward to it.

Q: Did you feel the need to reach out to QB Eli Manning after your comments about sloppy quarterback play?

A: Getting the ball snapped before the clock runs out – no. If Eli has anything he needs to talk to me about, my door is open. We spend a lot of time together during the week.

Q: What do you need to look out from when it comes to Eagles QB Carson Wentz?

A: It looks like he has eyes in the back of his head right now. He’s very elusive in the pocket. He’s strong in the pocket. He can escape. He can create on the move. He comes up throwing when he gets out of the pocket. He’s a dangerous player whether in or out of the pocket and he has some big players around him, some big skill players who can make some plays for him whether it’s (Zach) Ertz or the two new receivers they brought in.

Q: Will you be calling the plays this week?

A: We’ll see.

Q: Is calling the plays a coaching decision or is Jerry Reese involved?

A: It’s my decision.

Q: Would you tell us your decision on who is calling the plays?

A: No. I would never tell you that.

Q: Is the play-calling decision one you are still considering?

A: We’ll do anything we can do to help us move the ball.

Q: Are you still considering who will call the plays?

A: Yes.

Q: Can you use the fact that people are counting you out this week with the players?

A: It’s good to have an edge.

Q: Eli has always pointed to one of the reasons for his durability is his ability to avoid big hits. It seems like this year the veracity of the hits he has taken has gone up. Is that something you’ve noticed or are concerned about?

A: I don’t think anybody could ever doubt his toughness.

Q: How big of a challenge is it to face the Eagles defensive front?

A: They’re good. We’re going to have to rise to the occasion as an offense. They’re as good as you’ll find in football.

Q: Why hasn’t TE Rhett Ellison played that much?

A: We haven’t had many plays.

Q: Even though you haven’t had many plays, why hasn’t Ellison seen much time?

A: Well, we haven’t had many plays in normal down and distance in a close ballgame. We’ve been behind two scores far too often.

Q: Talk about the offensive line being put to the test against the Eagles.

A: I expect us to play the game as it unfolds on a week-to-week basis.

Q: Is the number of sacks in two games alarming?

A: It’s too many.

Q: Are you concerned about the confidence of your offense at this point?

A: No. We have the knowledge and we have the skill sets to produce on offense. We need to go out. We need to throw effort at it. We need to get the job done.

Q: Have you seen anything to indicate that the offensive line is getting down?

A: What do feelings have to do with it? We need to go out and execute.

Q: Do you feel that the effort has been at a satisfactory level?

A: We practice well. We practice well.

Q: Can you do anything as a play-caller to get the offense started?

A: Yeah. Execute.

Q: Is there anything more that you can do as a play-caller to get the offense going?

A: Again, we take a look at everything. We’ll see how it goes.

Q: If Hart can’t play will you keep G Justin Pugh at right tackle?

A: It would be dumb for me to answer that question. We’re going to take a look at all of our players. We’re going to put the best five out there. Wherever they line up is where they line up.

Q: Why is it good to have an edge?

A: I think working with an edge motivates a little bit more.

Q: Does this team have an edge?

A: We’ll find out. Great place to play. Tough place to play.

Q: What did you think of LB Calvin Munson?

A: Wasn’t too big for him. I thought he communicated well. I thought he ran around – was all over the field. Exciting for the young man.

Q: Did you have a problem with CB Ross Cockrell’s tackle attempt?

A: Yeah. We need to tackle better on that. We need to set the edge better and tackle better on that.

Q: Are you content with the amount you run the ball?

A: With our talent, the number of plays we have – it’s not enough. We need more attempts at the play.

Q: Are you running enough in the number of plays that you have?

A: No. Not enough. We need more attempts – more attempts at the play running the ball and throwing the ball.