Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (Post-Game Transcript)
On how important it was for the offense to be efficient in both the running game and the passing game:
“Very important. Very important. I think we’ve been having a desire. We’ve had a desire to stay on schedule and be better on first and second down, really first down. And those guys up front, they played their tails off in the combo blocks and getting movement in the run game. And then [RB] Saquon [Barkley] being Saquon. He had those opportunities and he took them and made the most of them. And then [RB] Tank [Bigsby] coming in and running as hard as he did. I think those things, when you’re able to run the ball efficiently like that, it kind of gives you a flow a bit. And so proud of how we were able to run the ball and I’m proud of how we were able to make plays and win in the red zone and take advantage of those opportunities there, too.”
On what Eagles RB Saquon Barkley’s 65-yard touchdown run does for the psyche of the team:
“We’re not looking at it that way. It’s about looking within and saying, ‘What can we be better at?’ And I’ve used the word leverage. How are we leveraging ourselves? We came out and we did some different things that we hadn’t done before, and [RB] Saquon [Barkley] hit it with a full head of steam. Those guys blocked it up front and took it the same. We just want to have that balance, want to be able to utilize every piece of what we have, whether that’s in the spread, whether that’s under center, however it is 12 personnel, 11 personnel, 21, 13, just being able to go out there and present these different things and have variations off of it.”
On being under center more often the last two weeks:
“I think when you have more variety and you have different variations of what you do, you definitely can build off of that. I think the best of them usually are able to attack people in different ways and they can pick their poison with that. I do think that element of what we do, it has always done something for us. We just want to continue to build off of that. I enjoy being under center and being able to compliment things within our run game and find a flow, but ultimately I think it’s about finding a flow and what you do. It’s not necessarily that you stick a guy under the center or you’re playing from the shotgun or you’re in a pistol. It’s about what you’re doing when you’re under center. How we’re leveraging what we do. How we’re leveraging the guys. What spots are we putting guys in when we’re in these different positions? We just want to continue to build off of it. Obviously big time for us as always, going into the bye week and being able to assess that and have a reset.”
On if the game plan changes when the team is down their top receiver:
“I point towards those guys that came in and stepped up and made big time plays when their number was called. And it’s definitely a different rhythm because you get a flow of playing with [Eagles WR] AJ [Brown] and [Eagles WR DeVonta Smith] Smitty and [Eagles TE] Dallas [Goedert] and you have your crew. The way that they stepped in. [Eagles WR] Jahan [Dotson] made that big time play towards the end of the game, kind of put a dagger in the game, [Eagles WR Darius Cooper] Coop just going out there and kind of knocking the dust off a bit, I know he had been available. [Eagles WR John Metchie] Metch out there playing harder, than obviously Smitty. I think all those things are good, but when we are able to run the ball like we did, it creates more of a balance and free will of how we attack people.”
On finding a rhythm with a new offensive coordinator:
“I don’t think there’s anything that we can’t do. It’s a matter of are we working towards it and working in it the right way. So I look at it that way. And then to your initial question, there’s always that period where you go through it. And as a quarterback, I embrace that and obviously my responsibility in it, I will be the first one that everyone looks at with that and that’s something I accept. But it’s a collective in that and trying to build it out. And it’s a natural kind of boarding, and onboarding, and processing period of, put things together so you can be what you want to be. And so there’s a culmination of time, experiences together, and the communication that you all merge together so you can get it to where you want to be. And as I’ve said, you look at the different years that we’ve been, different years that we play ball. You go from ‘21 to ‘22, you have the same chefs in the kitchen, and then every other year after that, it’s different. And there’s always a period of trying to figure things out a bit. And so that’s something that I’ve accepted throughout my career at this point. And I know what it is. It is just having a relentless mentality, a relentless approach, and during the times where you are getting there to where you want to be because it’s always there. Just have to be persistent in it.”
On what stands out to him most about Kevin Patullo as an Offensive Coordinator and a play-caller:
“Well, I think he’s gained confidence and gained assurance in what he sees and what he believes as time has gone on. And so again, I look at how are we helping him? Are we playing penalty free? Are we mastering the things that take no talent? Are we getting in and out of the huddle? The little things that can help all of us and help the play caller find a rhythm in what he does. And so we’re very critical of that. I’m very critical of that. That’s always something that I’m talking about, but we just want to continue to build. And he’s been rolling.”
On the red zone this year and what Eagles TE Dallas Goedert has added in this particular system in terms of the amount of touchdowns he has caught:
“Well, I think he’s a hell of a player. I think he’s a hell of a player. He’s a big time target and in the sense he’s due, he’s due. He does a lot of dirty work in this offense. And we’ve had a lot of different opportunities that we’ve always had within, I guess [Eagles Head Coach] Nick [Sirianni] and the OCs that have come over time that just haven’t got called. So some of those things are getting called and he’s taking advantage of those opportunities and I think KP [OC Kevin Patullo] has a really good feel in the red zone.”
On if this game served as a “breakout game”:
“Well, we’re always in this process of becoming, it’s the reality of it. The goal is to be playing your best ball at the end of the season and there’s a process that you have to go through to get that. There are going to be tests along the way, but you have to embrace those challenges as they come. And I think we do that as a group. And so there’s a focus to do that. And you saw a lot of guys make big time plays today and step up in different roles that they traditionally are not asked to do. [Eagles OL] Brett [Toth] taking full command up front, leading the way. You can’t ask for anything more when he comes in and he does that. He knows the game, he knows what we do. And all those guys out wide doing the same thing. So, just wanting to continue to play clean ball. I can’t talk about the running backs enough, how they played. It’s just playing team football and playing together, really, playing together, having a bit of a mess and flow to what we do.”
On if he feels that he’s playing his best football:
“Definitely a lot of work to do. I think the best is yet to come.”