Eagles HC Nick Sirianni admits he has a favorite player on the team and it's one you might not expect
Whether they admit it or not, every NFL head coach has their favorites. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni didn't shy away from telling reporters who one of his favorites on the team was when the opportunity presented itself. Sirianni was asked on Monday why he always "goes to bat" for backup running back Kenneth […]
Whether they admit it or not, every NFL head coach has their favorites.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni didn't shy away from telling reporters who one of his favorites on the team was when the opportunity presented itself.
Sirianni was asked on Monday why he always "goes to bat" for backup running back Kenneth Gainwell, prompting a long answer as to exactly why he's a coach favorite.
"I think the guys make fun of him sometimes because they know he’s one of my favorites," Sirianni said. "I say, ‘Don’t say that to anybody.’ I think they just perceive that because I’m always talking to [RB Kenneth Gainwell] Kenny to reinforce what you want your culture to look like. ‘Hey, guys, it takes everybody. Watch this. The two opportunities that Kenny got, watch what he does with it.’ Now he’s contributing on special teams, and I don’t just mean returning. He’s making tackles on special teams. Every opportunity that he has, he takes advantage of.
"Kenny is extremely tough. Extremely tough. What an unbelievable spin move he makes yesterday on third down to avoid the tackle.
"What I loved even more about that was two things: one, he lowers his shoulder at the end to gain four or three more yards, or however much it was. Then the excitement that his teammates had for him on the sideline when he does that. That happens because he’s such a great teammate. He’s tough. He works hard. He could be a guy that got opportunities elsewhere, but he gets limited opportunities and takes advantage of them."
Gainwell has seen brief action in 14 games this season and he's made his playing time count, running the ball 57 times for 265 yards and a touchdown so far.
His contract comes to an end this season, which means he will hit the open market once March rolls around and there's a very good chance he finds a starting role elsewhere. That is unless the Eagles decide to pay him enough to stay in Philly.
And with the way Sirianni raves about him — the possibility is there.
"What’s there not to love about Kenny Gainwell? I think you set me up here because you knew I was going to gush about Kenny," Sirianni continued. "I love having him on this football team. I’ve loved getting to know him more and more over the last four years of being together.
"He’s a special, special player. He’s a special, special teammate. Really, he speaks so much to what our culture is here. He may not have a ‘C’ on his chest, but he leads in his own way. He’s really taken advantage of all the opportunities that he’s gotten here, and that goes back. That has been consistent through the last four years here with the Eagles."
