Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly
Q. What did you think of Ravens LB Terrell Suggs' hit on QB Sam Bradford? Do you think Suggs was going for his knee?
COACH KELLY: I didn't see the hit. So I just got it from Pat [offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur] in the box, but I didn't see the play itself, so I can't make any comment on it.
* Q. Bradford took a couple hits tonight.*
COACH KELLY: Yeah, he did. He bloodied his lip a little bit, so I don't know what hit that came on. But he did get a couple hits. No worse for the wear. Good step for him.
* Q. Was the plan just to play Bradford on that first series?*
COACH KELLY: No, the plan was to get him between 10 and 15 snaps and we had 14 called plays for him. I think on a couple of them, there were two penalties accepted, I think, so it ended up being a 12-play [drive] when you look at the stat sheet, but we had 14 called plays for him.
We were trying to get him between 10 and 15 snaps. You never know, you can have a three-and-out; you could play four series if you go three-and-out, three-and-out and three-and-out. We are using just a play count, not a series [count] for those guys.
* Q. How did he look on those six throws?*
COACH KELLY: I thought he looked good for the first time back out there. I think we'll get back in the film room with him and find out what his thought process was and where he was. But I think he's happy, just got his chance to get back on the field and play football again.
* Q. You talked before about a running back by committee, and we saw that you used all three of the top guys at various points in the first two drives. What did you see out of those three guys?*
COACH KELLY: I thought they hit it. You watched those guys, they hit it and came out the other side a couple times. Ryan's [RB Ryan Mathews] touchdown. J.P. [T Jason Peters] and [TE Brent] Celek did a great job on the back side, but that ball got to the secondary; he didn't get touched. And DeMarco [RB DeMarco Murray] showed a little pop today, when you watched him hit it and come out the other side. I was happy with all three of those guys.
* Q. The number of different personnel packages that you can run out there, with the tempo you already play at, can that make it even more difficult for a defense?*
COACH KELLY: Well, when you run different personnel groups out there, they have an opportunity to match. So there's some things you can do with it.
But tonight we didn't – I mean, we were really, really basic. I think we had four or five pass concepts in and we just ran two run plays. So it was a pretty simple game plan. We were not game planning for this game. It was just, let's get reps, let's continue to get a feel for how guys are playing and get going there.
* Q. Did you learn anything differently that you didn't know before?*
COACH KELLY: Yeah, you learn it in every game. I mean, that's ‑‑ every game you play, you learn. So I think our secondary, really that first group, I think defensively, you had two interceptions to start the game. So you start with turnovers and then they got them off the field on third down, so we get the ball back. I think our secondary is growing. Our pass rush is getting there; we are doing some decent things there. But I think you learn in every game, so there are a lot of things we learned tonight.
* Q. What kind of case is RB Kenjon Barner making to make the team?*
COACH KELLY: He's making a huge case. You go back‑to‑back weeks with a punt return for a touchdown. I think he made some good plays in the run game.
I know him and I've known him for a long time. He's a productive player. Unfortunately for him, he got hurt in our last preseason game last year, so he was out for an extended period of time and then we brought him back as a practice squad player to finish the year. But I think he's putting himself in position. We talked about it last week and he's continuing to do that.
* Q. We have not spoken to you since WR Miles Austin missed practice and then he sat out tonight's game. What's holding him back?*
COACH KELLY: Me. I just held him and a couple linebackers out. They should be back for the Packers game.
* Q. You don't have any updates on WRs Riley Cooper or Rasheed Bailey?*
COACH KELLY: Riley is fine; Rasheed is fine, they said. I haven't heard anything else about anybody else.
Q. So their X-rays were negative?
COACH KELLY: X-rays were both negative.
* Q. And the decision to waive S Earl Wolff injured?*
COACH KELLY: He just wasn't going to be here until we got the cut to 75 or the cut to 53. So he was not going to be ‑‑ and we needed to get another DB in here. You look at the reps we had against the Ravens and we are concerned with some guys in terms of how many reps they are getting. So we just need to get some other bodies in here. It's unfortunate.
* Q. He said he had surgery?*
COACH KELLY: He had a scope, from what I understand.
* Q. Is Austin healthy?*
COACH KELLY: Miles is healthy, yeah.
* Q. Are you pleased with what you saw from Bradford tonight considering this was the first time you're able to see him perform at full speed with other guys coming?*
COACH KELLY: Yeah, I am pleased. You know, he's progressing the way we logically had a plan with him. What we did in the OTAs and what we did leading into this game, we were not going to play him in the first game and wanted to really let him get his feet wet in terms of the training sessions that we had with the Ravens and then get him out here for 10 to 15 snaps. We got 14 in. We are pleased in his progress and we'll sit down and watch film with him on Monday when those guys get back and then get ready for another big test when we go up to Green Bay and get ready to play the Packers.
Q. The first team defense, what did you think?
COACH KELLY: I thought they played well. When you look at what they did, I think the first two were interceptions and then after that, I think we had five stops. So I think they are starting to come together. Then when you can get [LB] Kiko [Alonso], [LB] DeMeco [Ryans] and [LB] Mychal [Kendricks] back in with them, I'm kind of hopeful that we're going to be better than we have been there.
* Q. The secondary has not given up any passes beyond 20 yards. Each time Ravens QB Joe Flacco tried, the ball was intercepted. What have you seen from those guys, especially CB Byron Maxwell and S Walter Thurmond?*
COACH KELLY: I think they understand what [Defensive Backs Coach] Cory [Undlin] and [Defensive Coordinator] Billy [Davis] are trying to get accomplished back there. I think they are lactose intolerant in terms of they do not bite the cheese in front of them. When they have a deep zone, they play the deep zone. A lot of mistakes we made in some of those deep balls last year were we were just biting each either a play action fake or we are biting an underneath route when that's not our responsibility. I think our guys are playing their responsibility. So right now we are good lactose intolerant secondary.
Q. Between the first and second quarters, you were talking to referee Jerome Boger and line judge Jeff Seeman out on the field. What was that all about?
COACH KELLY: I usually get a chance, whatever transpires in any time, when you talk to the officials, usually it's at the break. So it's at the end of the first quarter or it's at the half or at the end of the third quarter.
Q. Were you concerned about how slowly they were starting the ball?
COACH KELLY: No, not at all. We didn't have any discussions about that.
Q. Why didn't you let K Cody Parkey keep kicking?
COACH KELLY: We just wanted to see [P] Kip [Smith] kick. We don't have – if Cody goes down, what do we do? And Kip is really a punter. Just wanted to give him an opportunity. He's kicked in practice but he hasn't kicked a field goal attempt I think since 2010. I thought he did a great imitation of [former MLB knuckleballer] Tim Wakefield out there, but he did put him through the uprights. It's just a chance. You have him here, so what do you do? In this situation, it wasn't a close game. And [Special Teams Coordinator] Dave [Fipp] talked to me about it, and said, 'What do you think of Kip?' I said, 'Let's give him a shot and see what he can do.' You never know. You never know if something happens with somebody. Just took a shot. He's really a punter-kickoff guy and he has not really kicked in games, we were going to give him a shot in this game.
* Q. Intentional or not Suggs hit Bradford in the knees. Do you have to worry about that, do you have to remind officials to pay attention to that more if teams are going to ‑‑*
COACH KELLY: No, I think the officials protect the quarterbacks in this league and understand. They threw the flag, so they called a penalty on it. So it's not like they are letting people take runs at Sam. I thought the officials officiated it very well.
* Q. The flag was for a late hit right? Not roughing the passer.*
COACH KELLY: It was for roughing the passer.
* Q. How much more will we see Bradford next week; do you know?*
COACH KELLY: Right now, I don't know, no. What's that? I don't know. That's why I answered the question as I don't know. He could get sick and have Legionnaire's disease and not play next Saturday. I don't know. He could play. I don't know.
* Q. That would involve your sports science program --*
COACH KELLY: It would. We may have to put in a Legionnaire block or something. I can talk to the guys about that afterwards. (Joking)
* Q. Are the three inside linebackers close to returning?*
COACH KELLY: Yeah, they practiced the last couple days in seven on and things like that. If this was a game and this counted and this was the regular season, all three of those guys would have played. It was just one of those things where they had got in, got their feet wet in seven‑on‑seven, and we are still trying to figure out some of those other guys. So we got some extended snaps for [LB Emmanuel Acho] Ach and [LB] Najee [Goode] and [LB] Brad [Jones] and [LB] Jordan [Hicks]. But barring anything ‑‑ I don't know if they will play, again, the Legionnaire's problem, next Saturday, but we are hopeful that they don't contract anything and they are able to play against the Packers.
* Q. G/T Andrew Gardner seems to have settled in pretty well at right guard --*
COACH KELLY: Yeah, [Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland] Stout is pretty happy with him right now. We'll get a chance to take a look at the film and see where we are.
Eagles Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis
On his impressions of DE Vinny Curry and LB Brad Jones playing at outside linebacker today:
"Not bad. Vinny was rushing more than he was dropping [back] and Brad hasn't been out there in a little while. We try to keep the preseason pretty simple call-wise. They did well."
On whether S Walter Thurmond III has a knack for forcing turnovers:
"We think so. This is the first time that I've been around Walt for any length of time. Since day one of [Organized Team Activities] he's been forcing the offense to turn the ball over. That was a pretty interception, wasn't it? One-handed grab."
On whether it is a big difference for Curry to rush the quarterback standing up as opposed to having his hand in the ground:
"I don't know if the stand-up part is, it's the dropping part that gets you. Vinny is so explosive. Vinny has a great feel. That's what the great pass rushers do."
Eagles Quarterback Sam Bradford
On whether or not Ravens' OLB Terrell Suggs was going after his knee:
"You would have to ask him but I think that is what he was trying to do. You know, it is a part of the game and you just have to move on."
On whether or not he was upset and said something to Suggs:
"I was a little upset, I'm not sure if I can repeat what I said to him but it's a part of the game. I'm sure that is not the last time something like that is going to happen this year, but hopefully it doesn't."
On whether the team has to say something after something like the Suggs situation happens:
"I'm sure [Eagles Head Coach] Chip [Kelly] will say something to someone. It got our guys fired up though. There is no doubt about that and I thought we responded well after and put together a nice drive. When things like that happen in a game you can't dwell on it, you just have to keep going."
On what was going through his mind prior to the first snap:
"I was excited. I was nervous. There were a lot of emotions. I think most of all I was just excited. It was a great feeling. Hearing the crowd, getting back out there, playing football again. It's been a long time and there has been a lot of work that has gone into it, and to get out there tonight and actually get to play again, it was just a lot of fun."
On whether his previous quote to "take a shot and get back up" was what he had in mind with the Suggs situation:
"No, it's probably not the one I had in mind when I said that, but it was good. I took a few hits tonight and got back up. I feel good. I think it's part of the game and it's one of those last hurdles, one of those last boxes that needed to be checked and I think it was tonight."
On what happened after the second hit that took him a few moments to get back up:
"I am going to need to look at the tape to tell you exactly what happened. I took a hit, it happens, I regroup and I keep going."
On his thoughts about the questions he answered regarding his ability and functionality:
"I think tonight I was able to get out there and not think about my knee. That was big for me. And just to get out there to take some shots and to feel the speed of the game, feel the rush… we tried to simulate that in practice but it's really hard when I'm off limits so it was good to feel the speed of the game out there tonight."
On whether the number of different options personnel-wise puts pressure on the opposing team:
"I think it puts a lot of stress on a defense, especially when you combine our depth and our personnel with the tempo. We can throw to a lot of different personnel groupings out there. Tonight we did so much with [RB Darren] Sproles in the slot. I think that makes it tough with two running backs and when you add the tempo, it just doesn't give them enough time to really react to it. I think they're still trying to communicate when we're snapping the ball."
On what he thought during his first time on the field:
"It's fun. It's great for a quarterback to look out there and know that everyone we have out there can make plays. It's my job just to get them the ball. It reminds me of the system I ran in college. It was kind of the same deal. A quarterback is almost like a point guard, they are just out there to facilitate and give guys the ball to make plays."
On what he wants to improve for Green Bay:
"Hopefully things will slow down a little bit. I think I was a little amped up the first couple of plays out there, but we'll look at the tape tomorrow and check it out. But just continue to go through my progressions and continue to get more comfortable with the system."
On what it felt for him the moment of the first impact and realized his knee was still intact:
"That was a positive. That was a good thing. Like I said earlier in the week, I thought it was going to be good for me to get out there and take a few hits. To take that first hit and get up and get back under center, it felt good."
On how much he feels the need to play next week in order to be ready for the regular season:
"I don't think you could really put a number, there's not an exact number. That's Coach's [Kelly] call how much I play next week but I think the more reps, the more work I get, the better. We've put in three good weeks at camp and I feel like I've got down a lot of reps in practice. Obviously I got some action tonight and in the previous two days against the Ravens. I'm looking for all the work I can get next week."
On whether he feels ready for the season after the one series he played:
"I feel like once we got rolling out there I felt pretty good. Obviously there are a bunch of things we all have to keep working on. I think there are things I have got to clean up. There are things that everyone has to clean up. I think it's nice we still have a couple of weeks left of the preseason not only to get to work next week but also the next week of practice. So we're still trying to build on what we did tonight, but I still think there is work I have to do in order to be ready for the season."
Eagles QB Tim Tebow
On whether he felt more comfortable this week:
"Yeah, I am getting more comfortable every day. I am getting opportunities to get reps in practice and come out here and play in a game. I am definitely getting more comfortable."
On what aspects of his game he is feeling more comfortable with:
"I think I threw the ball away a few times. I am not trying to force it and I am not taking sacks. I am getting it out of my hands and throwing it away if nothing is there."
On what he still needs to work on:
"It's just continuing everything, decision making, footwork and throwing it to the right place. I have to keep working on communication. All of those things, you want to try and reinforce every day. I have to keep going faster and trying to run up tempo faster. I have to communicate with the guys, get up to the line and go, especially after you get a first down."
On whether he believes he has caught up to the other quarterbacks on the team who have been here longer:
"I feel like I have a good grasp of the offense. I have been able to get reps, so the more reps you get, the more comfortable you are. I feel like I am learning the offense better and better."
On what he feels he has to do to make the team:
"I just have to worry about what I can control. I probably have said that a few times, but that is just my attitude. I am focused on going out there, trying to compete and being the best teammate."
On whether he felt more comfortable after his 26-yard run:
"After that, the outside linebackers and ends were playing wide. They were trying to get up the field and get shots at our quarterbacks. Yeah, you try to go throughout your reads. I might try to change it up a little bit, but the coaches' game plan for it and we have to execute."
Eagles QB Mark Sanchez
On what he thinks the offense accomplished today:
"The offense looked good. All three phases looked good. The defense got us a couple of turnovers and the special teams got us a touchdown. This is what you want. You want to win these games. Personally, I thought we moved the ball well when I was in there. We came out from last week and didn't need to change anything. I missed a couple of throws last week, so I needed to trust the process, keep rolling and have a good time."
On how good it was having a complete first half:
"It was fun. It was a great atmosphere. It was fun rooting for our guys. It was fun getting out there, moving the ball down the field and accomplishing all of the goals that we did accomplish tonight. There are plenty of mistakes to clean up. We will do that over the next week and get a shot at the Packers."
On his comfort level at this point in the preseason:
"I think I am playing alright. I am definitely having a ton of fun in the system. We are bringing a lot of new faces along, whether it is [RB] Ryan Mathews or [RB] DeMarco Murray. The offensive line looks great. I think it is going very well."
On what it was like having all three Eagles running backs playing tonight:
"That entire room, it's a credit to [RB coach] Duce [Staley]. He has those guys playing well. In a short period of time, all of those guys have picked up the system. They are excited about blocking, catching the ball out of the backfield and running. They are doing a great job and have embraced the three-headed attack. You can throw [RB] Kenjon [Barner] in there. He ran the ball hard. It's a talented room and hopefully we will get a lot of production from those guys."
Eagles WR Nelson Agholor
On how he felt like the game went for him and for the team:
"We got better as a team. As an individual, I just try to capitalize on all my opportunities and put some stuff on film to learn from."
On how he felt going up against the Ravens after practicing against them all week:
"The practices all week were very competitive. They gave us some great looks. It was good to have another team out there to show us some of their schemes."
On how his experience has been so far at camp:
"It's been great. Training camp is a special time. You get to put your tools to the test. At the end of the day, you get to watch film on yourself and kind of critique yourself and get coaching points every day. It's 24/7 trying to develop as a football player."
On whether he feels a difference between the quarterbacks throwing him the ball:
"No, my job as a receiver is to get open and catch the football."
Eagles RB DeMarco Murray
On getting out there in this offense and against a live defense:
"It felt good, it obviously felt good to be out there with my teammates. I thought we had two good drives and obviously we need to watch film and learn from the things that we didn't do so well. And continue to do the things that we did well and continue to grow from those things. I thought it was a good first game."
On what is was like to finally do it at game speed after working with the pace in practice:
"It was great. Like I said, the communication level was awesome tonight from [C Jason] Kelce to Sam [QB Bradford]. Everyone was on the same page so I think that was the most important thing. We were able to get lined up fast and we were able to get plays off fast and run them efficiently."
On how he thought QB Sam Bradford handled himself and the offense and being back for the first time:
"I thought he did well. I thought he was comfortable in the pocket. I thought the offensive line gave him enough time to throw and make decisions. I thought he looked good."
On if we got a glimpse of what this running attack is going to look like once the season starts:
"I don't know, we'll see. Obviously we have a good group of running backs. [RB Ryan] Matthews and [RB Darren] Sproles, those guys are very phenomenal, great guys who work extremely hard. So it's going to be hard for teams to really focus on one running back and I think it is going to be good that we are all going to be fresh and going in and out of the game."
On what he thought of OLB Terrell Suggs' shot at QB Sam Bradford's knees:
"Honestly I didn't see it but its football and I thought he bounced back from it. But I didn't think too much of it."
On his first experience [after playing against the Eagles all these years] here in town playing in front of the big crowd:
"It was awesome. Like I said, since I have been here the fans have been phenomenal. A lot of passion, emotion and enthusiasm comes in from those guys. As players we feed off of that. The energy was awesome tonight and it was great to play in front of the fans."
On if his mindset changes at all when he gets in the red zone, specifically when he is around the goal line:
"Not necessarily. I just try to do my job and make sure that I am doing the little things right and make sure I am not making mistakes down there or getting too antsy to try to get a touchdown. I think we did a good job of blocking and the offensive line did an incredible job tonight."
Eagles RB Kenjon Barner
On the advice RB Darren Sproles has given to him and how it has helped:
"I'm in Darren's back pocket twenty-four-seven. Anything that guy tells me, I listen to. For pre-game I was able to watch him and then go back and have about a five-10 minute conversation with him about where the ball was going to drop, how it was going to turn, who was booming it and who wasn't. Sproles plays a big part in my success in the punt return because he's always in my head."
On whether he sees a competition at running back with RB Raheem Mostert:
"He's a beast; he's going out there trying to make the team just like myself. He's going out there trying to put plays together for himself just like I am. I couldn't be prouder of him. We both had a solid week of practice and we went out and performed this week."
On what he can do to improve his game:
"Everything, you can't get complacent in this game. Just like it was said just now I'm in a battle. I'm in a battle with Raheem, I'm in a battle with RB Kevin [Monangai] so I constantly have to get better. I constantly have to evolve, I can't get complacent with where I'm at."
Eagles Offensive Tackle Jason Peters
On whether Terrell Suggs' low tackle on Sam Bradford was intentional:
"I think so. He was trying to take a cheap shot at the quarterback. I'm pretty sure he planned it, I mean we've practiced against them all week so he was probably thinking about it. He took off; he didn't shake our hand after the game he just took off. So I didn't get a chance to say something to him after the game."
On his thoughts about how Sam Bradford played tonight in limited action:
"I think he did well, he looked smooth. I think we have to keep him cleaner in the pocket. I think he took a couple of shots and we just have to eliminate that. But he looked real good"
On whether there should be some disciplinary action against Terrell Suggs for his hit on Bradford:
"I hope so, because he hit him low and he tried to hit him around his knees, so I think so. I really don't know him personally, he talks a lot and I think he's that type of player, who is dirty and will take shots on the quarterback. I really don't know him personally though."
On the message Bradford sent by getting hits and still being able to play:
"He's a tough guy. He stood right back up and took another hit and then took us all the way down the field and we scored. That says a lot for Sam."
On what it means for the offense to have two powerful running backs in DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews:
"It means a lot for us to have two powerhouse running backs because any one of them can score and that makes our offense that much more potent."
Eagles Center Jason Kelce
On what he thought about QB Sam Bradford's debut:
"I think Sam [Bradford] did great. I'm just happy for him to finally get back out there and play in a game situation after the injury. It seemed like he played great, we went down there and scored a touchdown. So I'm just happy for him and happy that he went out there, took a few hits and got back up. I'm sure he feels a lot better and a lot more confident now and he's ready to go."
On his thoughts about the LB Terrell Suggs hit:
"I had some words that I exchanged with Suggs right after that. I'm sure that's something they're taught, to tackle the quarterback out of the read option. But it was a little weird that he went right after the knees, but I don't think it was anything malicious on his end. I want to keep what was said on the field but I think that's something they are probably coached to do and are told to do on the read option. I don't think it was particularly dirty for him to hit the quarterback, I just thought it was a little weird that he went right after the knee area. But looking back on it I don't think it was anything malicious, I just think that he was playing the game, I mean he's a Pro Bowl player and he's been doing this a long time but it's over. It happened and now it's time to move on."
On where he would assess the first team offense after the first two preseason games:
"It's preseason, you always take the preseason with a grain of salt. The defense isn't doing exactly what they would do and we're not doing exactly what we're going to do in the season. There are a lot of different things that are going to take place. But we're moving the ball effectively we're doing what we're supposed to do and I think that we're continuing to get better. I'm happy with the way we've played the first two games but obviously, these are meaningless games in the grand scheme of things in terms of the playoffs and the big picture. But I'm happy with the way our team is going right now."
