Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (Post-Game Transcript)
On the key plays:
“I think there were really, really good signs of complimentary football throughout this game. Some moments, not so much. But in the end, we were able to find a way together as a team. Proud of how the defense really stepped up and played. The young guys, [CB] Cooper [DeJean] and [CB] Quinyon [Mitchell] stepping up against some really good receivers. [DE Brandon Graham] obviously showing up in his 200th game. That’s really hard to do. So that’s a testament to him and his journey, and the leader he is. And [S] Chauncey [Gardner-Johnson] being able to step up and make some plays as well. And then obviously up front, being able to wreck the quarterback and get after the quarterback like they did. So from what I saw, we’re very happy about that. Made some big time stops, made some big plays on the perimeter. Always good to have those guys out there. We just need to continue to build, build as a team, build that identity. Always good to build off of a win. So we just want to continue to take steps.”
On the throws to Eagles WR A.J. Brown and if they were designed to go to him in that situation:
“It’s an alert in my mind, yeah. You alert something, it always has the potential to be number one. That’s not necessarily the guy that its drawn up to go to, but everybody’s accessible.”
On if he feels like he just has to get it close to Eagles WR A.J. Brown and he’ll come down with it:
“He’s really good at catching the deep ball. He tracks it well. He knows how to use his body well. He’s very strong, and I think he’s gotten faster, too, so he made some great catches.”
On the plays to Eagles WR A.J. Brown and the success late in games:
“It was. It worked.”
On what it means to have a turnover-free game:
“Just coming out here and playing clean. Good to come off of a win, especially after all the work that we put in, all the conversation that I’ve had with everyone, and it’s good, it’s good to win. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. We all come here, put our time, our efforts, our energy, we spend so much time with one another, just to chase this common goal. And that’s team football. And I think today we played Eagles football. Have to clean up some things. The situation before half, I think could have been avoided. But ultimately, we’re building and it’s always good to build off a win.”
On his perspective on the team’s slow starts:
“Yeah, I think it’s all fixable things. All fixable things. I think the most important thing is getting the first down. I think that’s the most important thing is getting the first first down. And then after that, you kind of just play ball. You know, couldn’t connect on some and it’s all fixable things, all being on the same page. And then, you know, those are things that I can accept, because it’s easy to learn from. And so we know the importance of starting fast and how that helps our team and how to put more pressure on their offense which helps the defense out for us. So we just got to continue to build on it.”
On his opinion of Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni interacting with the fans post-game:
“I don’t know what exactly happened. I’ve kind of been, you know, put on notice on some of it. I didn’t see anything, but I encouraged him to be himself, and so that’s who he is.”
On whether he was one of the players that encouraged Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni to be more himself:
“I don’t know who all said it. I know I spoke to him. It’s just a reassurance of, you know, we trust who you are. We trust where you are as a coach, and we know we can build with you. So it’s about doing it together. It’s about doing it together, you know. And I think for him, I think any leader, it’s about a vision and trusting in that vision. He’s done a really good job of being able to have conversations and honestly try and map things out, you know, and some things take time. But it’s a group effort from everybody, and everybody has to dominate their box. Everybody has to respect their role, accept their role, and give their best. I’m excited for him and his growth and continue to see where he’s going, and I think it’ll continue to help our football team.”
On the touchdown pass to Eagles WR DeVonta Smith:
“Kind of similar to the New Orleans play. Very similar. Always good to see him go far like that after a catch. So that’s a big time play by him.”
On the mood of the locker room at halftime after the blocked field goal that was returned for the touchdown:
“Good for him. Good for him. Lot of respect for [Browns S Rodney McLeod]. But you know, the mood in the locker room was, just keep playing, keep pressing. You know, it’s all controllable things that kind of didn’t go our way. And that’s exactly what happened, you know, giving up a sack right before half and then having a block field goal, and so all things that we could control. And it was just a ‘so what, now what’ mentality truly coming out here and just focusing on the moment playing together. And I think we did a really good job of that.”
On how important it is to get the second string in the game:
“Well, I think the biggest takeaway from that, and in five games, it’s only been one time where we really just had, you know, everyone out there, our clean slate, first unit, first group. And so that definitely presents a challenge in itself that we have to overcome as a team. But I’m very proud of how, they were prepared to step up and be ready. And then, honestly, some of those things just pop, you know, [Eagles TE Grant Calcaterra] is Grant. He had two back-to-back. Yeah, the second one is never supposed to go to him, to be honest. It’s not his ball. But he showed up. We were able to get it to him, and he ran with the ball in his hands. And I walking out at halftime, I told [Eagles WR Jahan Dotson] to just stay ready. Be ready. I don’t know when it’s going to come, I don’t know how it’s going to look, I don’t know where it’s going to hit, but it’s going to come at some point, we’re going to need you, you know. And he showed up, got the toe, drag in. It’s good to see him, you know, just the little details. It’s about the little details. And those things showed up, whether it’s how you throw it, what your footwork is, how you’re catching the ball, dragging on the sideline, the technique up front, you know, getting certain checks in the end of the game, or whatever it is. It’s about the details of being on the same page. And it was, it was a fair showing on that today.”
On the importance of Eagles WR A.J. Brown’s leadership:
“Everybody plays a role in leadership. Everybody plays a role in leadership. And I think sometimes we don’t give our ourselves credit for how much we control. So everybody has to embrace their role. You know, he’s one of those guys, a lot of guys like that on the team, but it’s always good when he’s able to infect the locker room, positively, good, bad, or indifferent. I think that’s very important for us. You got a guy that has 170 [receiving yards] one week, and then it can be anyone’s day, but being there, being a great teammate being there for the guy next to you throughout all moments is, it’s very important, and just want to continue to carry that good leadership.”