Eagles HC Nick Sirianni refuses to make tough move with veteran that could backfire in the playoffs
The Eagles are not making a key move that may cost them down the road.
The Philadelphia Eagles are back-to-back NFC East champions, but there is simply more work to do. After clinching the division in Week 16, seeding is now at the forefront of their minds as the regular season unwinds. Down the road, they will look to create their best possible version of the roster, given injuries, roles, and other factors.
The kicking game for Philadelphia simply hasn’t been a strength for most of this season, but they are not planning on making a move that plenty of fans are clamoring for as the postseason looms.
Eagles are not planning to move on from kicker Jake Elliott
According to Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, the team is not considering making a change at kicker currently. Jake Elliott has been a key cog in the team’s success with Sirianni at the helm, but he is just 17-24 on field goal attempts this season. He has missed at least one kick in four of the last five games. Even then, faith remains in him, via his coach.
“I have a lot of confidence in Jake, I love the roster the way it is and like I said, I have a ton of confidence in him with Jake and that he’ll rebound from whatever setbacks that he has. It’s always about your process. I think Jake always has a great process going in and the week of work leading up to it. I think it’s always important that everybody needs to know they are loved and appreciated. My love and appreciation for Jake isn’t just when you guys ask me questions about it, but also in times like this, you want to make sure you reconfirm those things.
And I think we’ve seen Jake, he’s had such a great career with so many highs, but like any player, he’s had some moments of struggle as well, and all I’ve ever seen him do was get up out of that and rise from that. I know he went through some struggles last year and ended up having however many field goals and extra points in the Super Bowl and in the NFC championship game. So I have no doubt in my mind of the competitor he is and the way and how mentally tough he is to be able to rise from this situation as well.” — Nick Sirianni on Jake Elliott
Sirianni also revealed that there is no tryout/competition happening. They have full confidence in the veteran boot, even with the recent struggles.
This is a bold decision, backed by some belief that the experience of Elliott will play a role down the stretch. It would be rather late to make a move at kicker, but it also shouldn’t be off the table. Regardless, the risk here is palpable, and if Elliott misses a clutch kick in a playoff loss, then Sirianni will just have to fall on the sword for his decision.
At the least, the Eagles head coach has shown an ability to take blame in the past. Philly fans are hoping that they won’t even have to worry about that in the near future, though. The Eagles organization is behind Elliott as a potential playoff run begins.
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