• April 23, 2024

Embracing the rookie quarterback

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Wentz will start week one against the Cleveland Browns.  A new era begins for the Philadelphia Eagles.  This storyline was “fiction” two weeks ago, but a devastating injury to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater rerouted the all but certain redshirt season.

Rookie quarterbacks generally struggle. They provide small glimpses of what the future holds for the franchise, but also head scratching mistakes which you hope they learn and grow from.

This season was never perceived to be a Super Bowl run, maybe a shot at winning the NFC East, but that vision came with Sam Bradford as the quarterback.  Together Coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Carson Wentz will enjoy rookie turmoil in their respected positions; a storyline that is quite rare.

For the fan base, each week will provide an opportunity to observe what the future may hold.  This season is merely the beginning to bigger and better things for the future of the Philadelphia Eagle franchise, well; that’s what everyone is hopeful of.

Is Carson Wentz the real deal?  His opportunity to begin his legacy is about to begin, an exciting time for all, especially the kid living his dream from little old Bismark, North Dakota.

At the end of the day, it’s all about winning in the NFL, and no other position is more important than the quarterback.  The size, athleticism, work ethic and personality are all there for Carson Wentz.

Any question about his NFL readiness can only be answered starting on Sunday.  What are your expectations for week one and the 2016 season?

Jeff Kolsky

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Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 10, 2016 4:39 pm

I think Doug Pederson will start Wentz off slow, i.e., during the first couple of series hand the ball off, screen passes, dump offs etc. As the game progresses and Carson has his feet wet and feels more comfortable Doug will open up the playbook having Carson take shots down he field.

As far as the season, I believe that by games 4-6, Carson will be showing great strides as he develops chemistry with his receivers, improving his deep ball accuracy as well as adjusting to the speed of the NFL. At this time, Carson will be utilizing a great deal of the offensive plays to his advantage as he audibles according to defensive looks shown.

With all this being said, I would not be surprised if Wentz does not rip a couple of passes down field on the first couple of drives.

Expectations, just to see Wentz grow, become a leader and exhibit a command of the huddle and offense as well as demonstrating steady growth. He does not need to be perfect, he will throw picks and he will make mistakes, but, I want to see him learn from those mistakes and not repeat them, but manipulate defenses by learning from those mistakes.

Carson Wentz has the makings of a franchise caliber stud QB. The talent, intelligence, athleticism , confidence and work ethic is there. He just needs the seasoning through regular season snaps which will start tomorrow. As long as he can stay healthy, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 10, 2016 8:14 pm

Everyone in the universe thinks Eagles will “protect” Wentz and limit him.

So do the opposite. 1st play. Play action to Matthews deep bomb down the sidelines to DGB.

Why not?

RegalEagle
RegalEagle
September 11, 2016 9:42 am

I agree

paulman
paulman
September 10, 2016 9:09 pm

Do note that the Browns have a New Coaching Staff, New Schemes and lots of Young Players on their Defense with 2-3 Rookies Starting and many Players with 2-3 Years NFL Experience getting their first Chances to be Stsrters…
Eagles and Pederson’s Game Plan should be aggressive to put these Browns on the defensive as early as possible.. There is little sense to play so conservative to keep the Browns hanging around…. Go after them and let Wentz attempt to make some Plays down the field early ..
Browns have 2 New Safeties, 1 new CB, 2 Rookie LB’s and 2 New DL
Go after them right out of the gate!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 6:31 am
Reply to  paulman

This is Fraudman getting out in front…if they win it’s cuz of all this (new this and that) If they lose then the sky is falling.
I can point out many of those same arguments go towards the eagles. New coach, scheme, rookie qb, two new OL, new CB, new WR, new LB… Blah blah. Shut up fraud

paulman
paulman
September 11, 2016 7:46 am
Reply to  haveacigar

The Eagles should Win period, they are better Team Talent Wise, more Players on the Roster with experience and experience with playing with each other…
The Browns have RG3 Starting his First Game since the early 2014 Season?
You could be QB HAC for the Eagles, the Eagles Win at Home 26-13
A loss versus the worst Roster in the NFL would be a terrible start to the Doug Pederson/Carson Wentz Era… There nothing to get in front of..The Eagles should Win this game going away .

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 8:26 am
Reply to  paulman

I’m not buying it… It’s the nfl and any given Sunday. They have a former pro bowl QB with A LOT to prove!
Super excited to see Wentz, the d and get a feel for how Peterson calls the game.

paulman
paulman
September 11, 2016 9:36 am
Reply to  haveacigar

So you’re comparing new Eagles Players as McKelvin, Brooks, Brooks, Bradham,McLeod & Tulloch (All Players who have 4-5 Year NFL Experience with the Defensive Players all playing for DC Schwartz before, as the same for the new 6-7 Starters for the Browns Defense who are Rookies, 2nd & 3rd Year Players…
Keep studying those X’s & O’s HAC, the Game is about Players You Fool ..
Go ahead and set the bar low as you typically do ..

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 9:59 am
Reply to  paulman

Um dickhead fraud…. I didn’t compare any players… I said they have a QB with a lot to prove and that in any given Sunday…
Set the bar low? I have them going to the playoffs you have them as a 5-6 win team?
They also have the most coveted HC of last off season… We have a guy that only had one interview…
The eagles obviously should win… There is no doubt but they too have lots of unknowns is all I’m saying loser.

paulman
paulman
September 11, 2016 10:29 am
Reply to  haveacigar

The Browns have lost 11 Opening Games in a Row for a Reason…
They have been among the worst run NFL Franchises for a long, long time..
I do like the Front Office Group & Coaching Staff that they now have in place but it will take a good 2-3-4 Years before they are relevant & competitive week in and week out.. A loss here by the Eagles is inexcusable ..

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 10, 2016 9:11 pm

The personality of this early football team is its defense and special teams ..Let the coach and tempo dictate “smart football.” The turnovers and a short field ,will be more a measure of the offense ,and how it will be implemented .Ill be watching intently to see if the O line holds its water ,and if it does ,l expect a wentzilla type of performance ..play action passes and not being afraid to look down the field .Putting guys in position ,to “make plays” will I think be a stark contrast to years past ..I already have my cup on..lets roll…

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 10, 2016 9:13 pm

Chimp ..put the hike on hold …this will be fun ..

Berks
Berks
September 10, 2016 11:23 pm

Eagles are bringing back Danny Watkins and Mike Mamula for the SB run!!!!!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 10:03 am

I remember the late 80s and being excited for the future. Got close.
I remember 1999 and being excited for the future. Got close.

Right now I feel that again. I am really really excited for the future for the first time since 2000.

BTW – you see how the Eagles “turn the corner”, start building and go on a run about every 15 years?

From….
1946
1958
1977
1987
1999
2016???????

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 11, 2016 10:42 am

Are You Ready For Some Football?!?!?!?!?
It’s the sport of kings better than diamond rings…
F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 10:47 am

Whats the over/under on kool ,emerging from the rock hes buried under,first.incompletion?first pick?first sack,holding the ball?’

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 11, 2016 10:52 am
Reply to  deserteagle

I think the first Wentz pass will be a play action to TE completion where TE pretends to block then releases for 4 yard pickup in air ( If he is open the TE gets YAC)

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 10:57 am

I hope youll be singing the fly eagles fly ,so much ,,you lose your voice….

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 11, 2016 10:49 am

getting ready to head out to the Linc.
easy win today – agree with Paulman the browns are void of talent and are in tank mode. The only thing that prevents the eagles from winning is if Carson Wentz is a dud. Every NFL team has a clear talent advantage over the browns. (0-16 record for the browns this year)
29-13 Eagles over Browns. Every team laps the browns on the scoreboard this year.
Wentz 250 yards 2 TDs
Both Matthews get 100 yards and a TD.
Fletcher picks up 2 sacks, Barwin gets one, Graham get 1. Carrol interception.

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 10:52 am

Eagles0. Enjoy the game. New England slept here in AZ ..brady tossing and turning all night.Called down to be told “we were told to take the “air” out of your room!

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 11, 2016 10:58 am
Reply to  deserteagle

#2 overall pick is suiting up. By the time the Eagles draft another QB with the 1st or 2nd overall pick I probably won’t be going to the games anymore. This is a special day if this Wentz kid turns out to be a pro bowl 8-10 year Eagle starter.

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 11:02 am

Eagles 0…if thats true..howwie gets a statue…holding a calculator

zilents44
zilents44
September 11, 2016 11:54 am
Reply to  deserteagle

Not any calculator desert the chosen calculator, eagles baby enjoy the game guys

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 11:56 am
Reply to  zilents44

Zilents..go birds!

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 1:01 pm

The “wise money ” Vegas odds are interesting fodder..the over under on wentzilla ,is 12.5 games ..the over under on yards avg./game 235…sleeves was 266.1…(cloudy me on out kool) that’s chum ,in the water ..Ryan Mathews 900 yards and touchdowns 6.he had 539 yds and 7 tds last year..prop bets on Jordan Matthews 900 yds 6 tds..he. Toppled both last year,with997 yds and 8tds. Ertz 750 yds and four td s..either,over ,would be a career high.cox was the only D 8.5 sacks ..9 last year …that’s not a great return on investment ..hilly has gone one in 4 vs spread at home ..could be number one reason chipper was chipped..go birds. Pick your best over of the props …curious to keep tabs ..my lock is the first pick songs/kool re-emerge …I like over tds and yards for Jordan Matthews,as I believe he’s a beneficiary of the wentzilla downfield accuracy..

Epidemic
Epidemic
September 11, 2016 1:11 pm

Matthews!!! Catch the damn ball!

Ertz what a play!

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 1:14 pm

Wentz stinks

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 1:14 pm

Wentzilla Esque. Kool?

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 1:15 pm

Hac. It’s one series where the obvious tight ends had. More plays than the whole chipper era..

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 1:16 pm

He saw the entire field ….he was one dropped pass away from perfection..

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 1:16 pm

Giddy the fuck up!

daggolden
daggolden
September 11, 2016 1:17 pm

My god Wentz looked like a 10 year vet.

Epidemic
Epidemic
September 11, 2016 3:04 pm
Reply to  daggolden

Matthews just kills our drives. We need our receivers to step up

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 1:22 pm

How’s that pick in the second pick now ? Brownasses

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 1:25 pm

He’s our guy

CT
CT
September 11, 2016 1:39 pm

Lol. Cody got cut for this bum. Probowl kicker.

Epidemic
Epidemic
September 11, 2016 2:12 pm

Eagles defensive line and secondary need more time together. There isn’t much pressure yet.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 2:23 pm

Com’on Sproles…help the kid out….that would have been a first down. Downer.

Overall a very very good first half for the rookie.

Should be 16 pts.

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 2:35 pm

The rookies half was an interesting window into what the guys in suits saw..his two drops by Matthews and sproles on a first down one on one matchup were his only bad breaks ..they both could’ve would’ve should’ve..that’s a zero ,where it matters most ..on the play sheet..he needs develop a touch pass as he seems a tad jacked (who wouldn’t be)? His toughness has shown itself ,his body language has been a stark difference to slump and slouchy ,in Sanchez and Sam ..bl its pressures have been misread on a few too many instances..The halftime for Wentz is like none other .He needs process the missed opportunities ,the mis touches and especially the hot “tight end ” reads ..the defense was a dissapointment. Where’s the push ,pressure to keep RG in the pocket? That was an abject failure ..they’ll need fix that …otherwise a sproles snare of a flare ,and Matthews pass in the end zone a jump ball type rather than a later …in the words of my guy Larry David. Pretty pretty good

daggolden
daggolden
September 11, 2016 2:29 pm

You know there was a myth all preseason that the dline was putting pressure on the QB. They really didnt. I see the same shit today. There is no pass rush. I dont care the score. I see no pass rush.

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 2:39 pm
Reply to  daggolden

Dag. No question. Guys sucked on the vaunted Eagles front , on the Dee line ,and got driven like a bunch of assess..wherever Cleveland wanted..that’s gotta change ..earn the win up front on both lines

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 2:41 pm

First half is pretty much what I expected from Wentz. Pederson is baby stepping him. I have no problem with it. I would like to see DGB in the game down in the RZ. Let’s see if Pederson opens it up a little more in the 2nd half.

Wentz has looked like a rookie who is poised, but has not taken many snaps in preseason…which he did not (only 26). All things considered, I’m pleased. Happy to see Wentz recognize blitzes and change plays at LOS.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 2:49 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

“Happy to see Wentz recognize blitzes and change plays at LOS.”

Agreed

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 2:47 pm

Agreed on the D. I understand the scramblers cause some issues….but this isn’t good enough.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 2:56 pm

So annoying watching GB Wrs making insanely absurd catch after catch while Eagles drop 3 crossing routes.

daggolden
daggolden
September 11, 2016 3:05 pm

Time for Wentz to run

Epidemic
Epidemic
September 11, 2016 3:34 pm
Reply to  daggolden

DG Wentz is not a running QB. He used his legs in college to improvise. Stop it. Lol

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 3:05 pm

A few observations early ..the defense gets rest ,as the methodical approach ,allows…wentzilla is a first time starter ,starting for a first time coach ,results into third quarter ..pretty remarkable …the fourth down call was telling by both

daggolden
daggolden
September 11, 2016 3:06 pm

We got a QB

deserteagle
deserteagle
September 11, 2016 3:06 pm

Wentzilla to Agholor. Lafffff in. My ass off

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 3:06 pm

Carson Wentz with the beautiful touch pass to Agholor for the TD!!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 3:06 pm

we have a QB

mhenski
mhenski
September 11, 2016 3:07 pm

Ts Johnson you are a grade a moron

bfdaking215
bfdaking215
September 11, 2016 3:07 pm

This kid is gonna be a star!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 3:08 pm

The great play leading up to that TD was the 4th down pass to Ertz with the dback draped over him…tight window throw with a defender blitzing Wentz.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 3:09 pm

can’t get too up or down early in the career but: the audibles, the hard count first downs, the taking hits and delivering the ball, the touch, the arm strength…
cue- fraudman saying ‘its just the browns’ and ts saying he stinks

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 3:09 pm

Nowhere to go but up now.

Excitement and hope. I think the next decade might be fun.

daggolden
daggolden
September 11, 2016 3:30 pm

Nassib kid out of PSU is pretty good

daggolden
daggolden
September 11, 2016 3:45 pm

Eagles should never run right. I would run left all day behind Peters.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 3:58 pm
Reply to  daggolden

dag do you realize that many of the left side runs have been ‘tackle over’???? johnson and peters have been next to each other about 10 plays today

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 3:46 pm

20 or 33 for 271 2td 0 int???

Never dreamed of that.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 3:47 pm

and throwing in tight windows

mhenski
mhenski
September 11, 2016 3:49 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

And throwing guys open !

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
September 11, 2016 3:48 pm

LOL

Eagles Oline has no experience with a QB calling off blitzes or doing the hard count!

False start mess.

mhenski
mhenski
September 11, 2016 3:49 pm

“can’t get too up or down early in the career but: the audibles, the hard count first downs, the taking hits and delivering the ball, the touch, the arm strength…
cue- fraudman saying ‘its just the browns’ and ts saying he stinks”

Spot on his command of the team, huddle & line is unbelievable really. This kid has it all and is wayyyyyy better than bradturd is right now and he just getting started

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 4:00 pm

I just want to take a moment to thank Browns head coach Hue Jackson for not thinking Carson Wentz was worth a 1st round #2 overall pick and trading it to the Eagles. Right now the Browns are still in search of their QB, while the guy he did not deem worthy is beating them…and he’s a franchise stud QB in the making.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 4:05 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

he doesn’t have top 20 potential!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thats why they are the browns– you realize that they have that moneyball baseball guy— they have traded back and back and back

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 4:10 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

I know, that’s laughable in itself. How many QB’s have the Brown’s started since 1999?…a ton of them, none of which were franchise QB’s, the last of which was supposed to be Johnny Manziel…lmao

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 4:14 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

I bet there are about 25 teams that would give up a huge draft package for this kid–
again, its just one game against the browns– but my god, the tight throws, the throwing wr open– the presence at the LOS– the sky is the limit

Epidemic
Epidemic
September 11, 2016 9:28 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Being an Eagles fan living in Fort Worth Texas I can’t tell how excited I am about Wentz. All I heard here was that Dak was the rea deal lol. Cigar I think many teams including the Rams would give up the farm for Wentz.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 4:01 pm

Love the creativity of having Beau Allen as the FB.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 4:03 pm

If Wentz was a 5 year vet todays performance is a Solid A– first start ever for an ‘overmatched guy who stinks from a div. 1aa school, no preseason’… has to score A+ without question

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 11, 2016 4:07 pm

Good coaching job by Doug Pederson, he used his timeouts wisely (unlike Andy Reid) and managed the clock well too. The play calling was vanilla, but its understandable as he wanted to slowly immerse Wentz into the speed of the game..I look to see the playbook open up more as Carson’s confidence is built up.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 4:10 pm

7.5 YPA…sleeves only dreams of those numbers
where is kool, TS etc

Everz11
Everz11
September 11, 2016 4:27 pm

Waaa!- they traded away their future to move up, Waaaa! Wentz was a reach, Waaaa! 1AA, Waaa- give Bradford his 5th chance, Waaa Waaa, Waaa- the kid looked poised, commanded the game at the LOS in a real life pro offense and not a Mickey Mouse, QB can’t make a decision college O being run in the pros (see Chip Kelly and what Cleveland was running today with RG3) – liked the arm strength and the touch on the deep balls (imagine that, a pass thrown over 10 yards!) – Growing pains to come I’m sure, but certtainly looks like a keeper to me. I thought Peterson called a really solid game to protect Wentz as well.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 6:24 pm
Reply to  Everz11

I think Browns traded away future

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 4:39 pm

Eagles WR core is better than a lot of you guys think they are– Agholar is going to have a fine year–

zilents44
zilents44
September 11, 2016 5:11 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Wow we are gonna be alright

gmcliff
gmcliff
September 11, 2016 7:11 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Don’t get carried away Ciggy. Great debut for Wentz, but our WR core is still crap. Agholor is a bum, as is Huff.

You’re crazy if you think otherwise. One game doesn’t define anything, and I saw Jordan Matthews put in work, besides that no other WR’s – and Ertz.

Relax

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 7:17 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

I’m not getting carried away at all… I don’t think they are GOAT…they are better than you and others think .Agholar was a con census first rounder.. You criticized the Ertz pick. I still don’t know bout huff but the top three are ok

gmcliff
gmcliff
September 11, 2016 7:38 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Yes you are Ciggy……It’s one game!!….and our WR Core is the epitome of inconsistency….they may not even be relevant for the next 6 games – get out of here……

Agholor , and the rest of the WR Core AREN’T better than I thought, and you’re right I’m not impressed with Ertz that much…

and please don’t lose sight of the fact that this was Cleveland FYI…

gmcliff
gmcliff
September 11, 2016 7:42 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Matthews, and Green Beckham are okay – the rest are average to below average at best….

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 7:48 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

It doesn’t matter cliff you believe fairy tales or things you spin in that very weak mind that is open to cuckoo ideas.
I think you will see Agholar is better than you think as is ertz…

gmcliff
gmcliff
September 11, 2016 8:02 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Alright Ciggy, and this too shall pass on to make you understand that you don’t know what you’re talking about..

I’m the one – from day 1 – that said, Agholor shouldn’t have been drafted in the 1st round at all. Why set yourself up like that bruh??…LOL

And I have been hearing all this stuff about Ertz putting it together to become this star, and have yet to see it…….when he does- wake me up – because I’m tired of hearing about it…I’m still waiting to see it. …WAITING

What? we gonna keep waiting for next year??…..LOL!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 11, 2016 8:37 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Ertz will catch 85 but that won’t be enough in cuckoo land….

gmcliff
gmcliff
September 11, 2016 9:01 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

85 FOR 765 YARDS AND 4 TD’s – no it’s not enough

and he’ll get that in the last 3 games of the season -as he has the last 2 years, and you will still be singing his praises – but what until next year he’ll show Cliff..

and you’d be cookoo to believe it…..

I’m not worried at all