Of all the challenges hidden amid the competitive carnage of the NFL game, getting on your knees by your own coach is usually not one of them.
Well, unless you’re the Philadelphia Eagles, who were told to fight and fight in the Washington Washington football team on Sunday, then in the fourth quarter, star Doug Pederson was given a game tank by effectively pulling the game by pulling starter Jalen Hurtz. A 17-14 game.
Hurt was replaced by Net Sudfeld, the franchise’s longest-serving third stringer / backup / practice squad quarterback, who can only be described as a national television celebrity.
Sudfeld immediately threw an interception and then lost an ambiguity. He completed just five passes for y૨ yard as the Eagles never threatened to score again. Washington won a gift-wrapped 20-14 victory, along with Tom Brady and Tampa Bay on Saturday night from the NFC pre-championship and home playoff dates.
We can’t say for sure that the Eagles entered Sudfeld in an attempt to throw the game to improve their draft status (loss means they will pick a sixth instead of a ninth with a win). However, if they are trying to throw the game to improve their draft status … well, entering Sudfield would be a very effective way to accomplish that.
The Padres later claimed, “I was coaching to win,” noting that Pearson was not getting orders from the front fee. “It simply came to our notice then. Nate has clearly been here for four years and I felt he deserved the opportunity to get a snap. ”
Only Pederson knows if he is right, but even if he was, the answer makes no sense. Qualify? The team’s competitive interests – the chance to win a very winning game – wasn’t it as important as an individual player “worthy”?
What is this, Pop Verner?
“The plan this week was to give the Nets some time and I felt it was time to get them into this game.”
In the fourth quarter of a three-point game with playoff effects, for the opposing team?
Sudfeld was built in 2016. This was his fourth appearance of the regular-season. That’s not good enough. Definitely rewarding Sudfeld with playing time is understandable if the score was by hand, one way or another. It wasn’t though.
And if the Eagles are now playing a time based on emotions, why not put the Hurts back in the game, at least for the final two drives with a win? Sudfeld got his snaps. Why stick with it? How did he feel about this insult?
“Listen, if there’s anyone who thinks I’m not trying to win this game, [Zach] Artz is out there, Brandon Graham is out there, Darius Slay is out there, all of our top guys are still on the field late.
“We were winning the game.”
Apparently those people “didn’t deserve” to get the best quarterback on the field in an attempt to honor their efforts with a win. Unless you think playing practice squads is now some cutting strategy.
Hurt, meanwhile, stood to the side wearing a look that could be described as utter disbelief. He wasn’t alone (and he also doesn’t count as the bitter New York Giants watching from home that Philly needs to win to get into the playoffs).
“As a competitor, I play to win,” Hertz said. “You know, you have to trust the coach with him.”
You think a person of color will be able to use all the experience he can get in nearby games. You would also think that would give the franchisee the opportunity to see what he can do in such a situation. The Eagles will be dominating their quarterback decision in the season – former starter Carson Wentz, who did not adapt to Sunday, is a potential trade-off.
Hertz said, “I knew Nate had worked hard all year.” And I think he’s a great player and the coach wanted to give him a chance at some point in the game. ” Yes, that’s me. I trust the coach with him. That’s all I can do. “
How many Eagles now trust Pederson is a fair question. Philly sat out many top players, which is not uncommon for the 17th week in the NFL. Still, those who adapt and deal with bruises and bruises expect honest effort.
Pederson knows that. He played 10 seasons in the league.
He said he didn’t think it would affect the team’s “culture” then, but playing Sudfeld essentially said that the efforts of all the players this past week, let alone the game, didn’t matter so much.
In the end, rivals Washington Washington celebrated on Philly’s territory and then knocked him into the locker room. All of the Eagles players can, possibly for the last time for guys like Er Arts, Wentz, Jason Kells and others for whom this time could end up with a proud franchise.
Maybe they are better “worthy”, but, hey, the sixth pick in the draft has been secured.
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