Nick Piccone
The last two nights have been full of rumors surrounding the Eagles. Specifically, their interest in adding a legitimate wide receiver [compared to most of the ones on this roster]. Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery have been leading the rumor mill, but there’s been no hard evidence to support the Eagles were or are even close to landing one of those two.
In his press conference today, Doug Pederson – predictably – talked back those rumors and gave a boost of confidence in his current wide receivers because, well, what the hell else is he doing to do?
“There’s no legitimacy to that [rumor]. And I’m thrilled with the guys we have and going to work with them every day … Nelson (Agholor) can stretch it. Josh (Huff) can stretch it. But I think it’s protection, design of the play. When I think of stretching the field, a guy can run fast and that can be stretching the field, but who can really take the top off? I mean, those two guys are two that can do that, and Bryce Treggs.”
There’s a fine line between a boost of confidence and just flat-out Andy Reid-ing it. And that’s exactly what Pederson’s doing here. Despite adding Dorial Green-Beckham to the roster, the entirety of the wide receiving corps has underperformed this season. It’s become a recurring theme since Jeremy Maclin, and to a different extent, DeSean Jackson, left town.
Pederson’s A-OK with it, though.
“Well, I think [Huff] was pretty efficient last week,” Pederson said of Huff’s four-catch, 39-yard day. “He caught some nice balls, a couple in the red zone, a couple of bubble slant combinations we do with him. That’s kind of who Josh is. And the kickoff return, obviously. These are things that Josh can do. He’s another one like DGB that you try to find every week, just more opportunities … And when you have 22, 23 pass attempts and another 26 running attempts, there’s just not that many plays. We have them in every week, but it’s my job I guess to call them in situations where we can utilize them. I guess that’s just the circumstance of the game.”
Again, I’m pretty sure Pederson knows he has to say it. And we shouldn’t be surprised by it. But hopefully, behind the scenes, the team’s working to fix this situation.
You can watch his entire press conference from today below.