Feelings were not good.
The Eagles certainly snapped their three-game losing streak on Christmas Day and wins should not be taken for granted in the NFL.
but …
Late in the game, there were some tense moments captured by FOX cameras on the sideline, with Nick Sirianni getting into a shouting match with a couple of players and coaches, and a winning locker room where two key players refused to speak to reporters. Overall a noticeable lack of outside joy throughout the 2023 season despite an 11-4 record.
The Eagles coach on Tuesday admitted some mistakes due to his actions off the bench during Monday's 33-25 win.
“There's that balance,” Sirianni said. “Because wins in the NFL are hard to come by and you have to enjoy them. And you have to have that balance, because joy and determination to get better, you can have both.”
“I definitely think it starts with me, quite frankly. There were moments in that game yesterday where I felt like I was getting too nervous on the sideline and I need to be better about that. I have to do a better job. If I'm going to ask the players to To do better by themselves, I must do better by myself, and I felt that yesterday outside of myself.
Sirianni, 42, is known for his energy on the sidelines. As for this bombing that occurred late in Monday's game, Sirianni refused to explain its source. But he said the relationships between players and coaches allow this team to move forward quickly. we will see.
On Tuesday, when Sirianni was asked about body language in general, he said he tends to look more at actions.
“I need to be better in those scenarios when there are some high-pressure areas; “They have to see me calm and not stressed out there,” Sirianni said. “There is a time and place for stress, and there is a time and place for not stress.
“I know that's something I always have to work on as a head coach, and that's something I'm constantly working on.”
After the Eagles' win on Monday, quarterback Jalen Hurts was asked about the sentiment he's had to share most this year: about winning versus the standard and calling it “a very mind-numbing thing.” Because even though the Eagles have 11 wins, they haven't played well in many of them. This was especially true in the Giants game, when the Eagles nearly took a 17-point lead at halftime.
There was mild celebration, and some holiday tunes were played, but it didn't really feel like a winning locker room.
That strange locker room was featured in the video of Sirianni's post-game speech, which was apparently met with little excitement from the team.
“I can promise you that we will have fun when we win. I know that 1,000%,” Sirianni said. “There is a difference between having fun and not being satisfied with the product that was on the field, the standard, or not meeting the standards.”
“So, when you don't meet the standards, you're always thinking: ‘Hey, here's what we could have done better, what could I have done better?’ It always starts with looking at yourself in the mirror.”
The Eagles seemed freer last year. They seem to be having more fun. They don't seem to be this year.
Maybe this isn't fair.
Or perhaps it is correct and understandable. It's hard to wear a Batman mask when you're scratching and clawing for wins every week.
And all this standard talk is probably too daunting anyway. The Eagles are trying to live up to a magical 2022 season, which seems a long way off.
“What's interesting is that I think this will always be a dilemma,” Sirianni said. “Once you set a standard, your goal is not to stay at the level, but to get a little bit better than that, so it's always going to be interesting that way. There were definitely some things – there were some sloppy things that happened, like training and playing yesterday, that should To be better. So, think to yourself, 'Man, what could be here?'” But make no mistake about it, I know our guys are excited to win and we're excited to win a football game.
“But, again, it's that hunger of wanting to be great and perfect. But there's got to be a balance. There's got to be a balance between that, 'Hey, getting the win was the most important thing,' and then also that drive to get better every time.” You step onto the football field, whether it's on the training field or on the field of play.”
This becomes a bit of a chicken or the egg dilemma. Are the Eagles not having fun because they don't roll? Or are they not rolling because they are not playing freely?
Maybe more than before. But there is something to be said for relieving some of the tension with this team. And this starts with Sirianni.
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