The Eagles have achieved their goal of getting Carson Wentz to Week 1 healthy.
Speaking on Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex, head coach Doug Pederson said his quarterback is fired up, healthy and ready to play on Sunday in the season opener against the Washington Redskins.
Pederson will not be taking it slow with Wentz despite the fact his quarterback missed the entire preseason.
"I don't necessarily believe in that. I don't think you ease anybody in. I think you have to go in fully prepared. That is why we practice and why you go through a grueling training camp. Especially at that position and for Carson," Pederson said. "I don't believe in easing anybody in. I think that is how you have a little passive mindset, especially as a play caller. That is not who I am and that is not who he is. I don't foresee that."
The Eagles have not been taking it easy on Wentz, outside of him sitting out the preseason games, during training camp. Wentz threw the ball 300 times in team drills during training camp practices, the same number of attempts he had prior to his breakout 2017 season. Although his play was a big up-and-down, the fact he made it through camp healthy and feeling great made the month of August a successful one for the Eagles.
Now that he is healthy, and Pederson won't be holding him back, it will be up to Wentz to try meet the very high expectations surrounding him.
"My message to him and the team is — let the offense work for you. Let the team work for you. Don't feel like you have to do things yourself. You just have to let (the skill position players) work. Same on the defense. Let the scheme takeover and don't feel like you have to do everything yourself," Pederson said of his message to Wentz. "Make the plays when they come to you. Don't go searching for them. That is when you get out of alignment, miss an assignment, line up wrong. When they come, make them. That is all it is with Carson. Even though he touches the ball every down, just make the plays when they come and use the guys around you. Don't feel like you have to do it yourself."
Trying to not do too much might be tough for Wentz given the circumstances. Sunday will be just his 12th football game in the last 636 days. He has not entered a game fully, 100% healthy since the Eagles traveled to Los Angeles back in 2017. Wentz was on his way to arguably the best game of his career that day, throwing four touchdowns to just one interception before leaving the game with a career-altering torn ACL.
"The energy level is extremely high. Both teams, whether you are home or away, it is exciting," Pederson said on season openers. "It is just a different feel. It is electric. It is a little bit like a playoff game. Emotions are running high fo players and coaches. It is the excitement. It is a new year. We are finally here. Football is back."
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
