Morning Roundup: What was the players’ message after the game
That is what was uttered through the locker room in the lower levels of MetLife Stadium after the Eagles’ first loss of the season.
“It is about how we respond and what our mentality is moving forward,” Jalen Hurts said.
For a team that lost its first game of the year in the sixth week of the season, you would think the mood would be somber, knowing they could still be undefeated.
A frustrated bunch immediately after the loss quickly turned into a hungry and eager group, thanks to encouragement and positivity from veterans.
Linebacker Haason Reddick, who registered 2.5 sacks during the loss, was seen embracing his teammates in the locker room with one simple message – Bounce back.
“I think Haas did a good job of speaking up,” James Bradberry said. “Our morale was low because we lost. He definitely stepped up and gave some encouraging words and I think we all needed to hear that even though we were all pretty frustrated.”
“We all know what we need to do,” DeVonta Smith said. “We are all on the same page.”
After the final whistle, leaders initiated a players-only locker room speech. Usually, it is Head Coach Nick Sirianni who speaks, but on Sunday it was his players
Accountability was the biggest theme of the postgame talk.
“That is what you want out of your team,” Sirianni said. “That part was a big positive. They are holding themselves accountable and I am holding myself accountable. I really did not have to say anything, the leaders on the football team did.”
“What is understood does not have to be explained,” A.J. Brown said. “We are going to go to work, that is the only thing that matters.”
The coaches and players will study the game tape and analyze how they could have executed better. Once that is done, the team will move forward like they always do, no matter if they win or lose.
There is one moment from a successful 2022 season that they may look back on to learn a few lessons as they head into a tough stretch of games.
The Eagles have been in this place before. Last season, they came into a Week 10 home game against the Washington Commanders with an 8-0 record. Sixty minutes and four turnovers later, Philadelphia lost its first game of the season.
How did that team respond? By winning their next five.
The great ones turn negative situations into positive situations,” Hurts said. “Great teams do that as well. This is an opportunity for us to do that.”
The Eagles face a tough challenge next week when the 5-1 Miami Dolphins come to town, but knowing this group, they will be ready to bounce back. – Written by Owen Boyle
