March 23, 2016
As the NFL owners meetings continue in Florida, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson met with the media on Wednesday for a breakfast interview.
But this is football, and because of all the uncertainties surrounding this team specifically, there was no shortage of new topics to be discussed either, like the possibility of Jordan Matthews moving to the outside this season or the return of a fullback to the 53-man roster.
You can watch the full session with the media here, but if you don't have time -- it lasted for over an hour -- scroll down for the highlights of what Pederson had to say.
• Could Jordan Matthews line up on the outside more this season? It was something that Chip Kelly didn't want to do while he was here, but Pederson said that Matthews' skill set makes him dangerous on the outside (in addition to in the slot) and that the team will try using him more there starting this spring.
Doug Pederson thinks Jordan Matthews can play on the outside and he’ll look at him there this spring.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
• Who will be the Eagles starting left guard? There's a chance perennial Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters makes a move to guard this season.
Q: Is your starting left guard on the roster right now?
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
Pederson: (long pause) Um … Yeah.
But Pederson didn't seem concerned about his age possibly making it more difficult to keep up with the speed on the outside.
Coach Pederson: There's been talk about (Peters playing guard), but in my opinion left tackle is his best position moving forward.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
Pederson mentioned Malcolm Bunche as one of the players in the mix at LG.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
• Speaking of offensive line... Pederson offered some more praise for Brandon Brooks, who the team added earlier this month during free agency.
Coach Pederson on the addition of Brandon Brooks: His skill set makes us a better football team. pic.twitter.com/mu2UkU5dnQ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
• Sam Bradford was a big part of the reason Pederson wanted to be in Philly. Despite the fact that some believe Pederson added Daniel to compete for the starting job, Pederson reaffirmed that Bradford is his guy heading into their offseason program.
Pederson: I took this job thinking Sam Bradford would be the guy. I evaluated the position and that's when he wanted to re-sign. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) March 23, 2016
Pederson on Sam Bradford: He's a guy that makes good decisions, has a good arm & is a leader of the football team. pic.twitter.com/7WFIWzw64q
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
• Pederson also said that Bradford put on some weight already this offseason. I wonder if his new fiancee approves...
Doug Pederson said that Sam Bradford has "come a long way with his weight" and that he put on "around 5 pounds"
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 23, 2016
• So will the Eagles still draft a QB? Again, Pederson reiterated that the team will likely target one in the draft, but was noncommittal as to how early in the draft that will be. He seemed a little more hesitant when talking about the No. 8 pick.
Coach Pederson says he expects the #Eagles to come out of the draft with another quarterback on the roster.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
• Pederson is still a big fan of running the ball on offense, despite the league's move to pass-oriented offenses.
Coach Pederson: In this league, you have to be able to run the ball. We're going to continue to run the football.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
That could mean more Darren Sproles, especially with DeMarco Murray in Tennessee...
Doug Pederson said he expects to use Darren Sproles more than Chip Kelly did. Pederson added that he wants to use Sproles "quite a bit."
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) March 23, 2016
And perhaps part of his plan on the ground involves adding a position that's been missing from the offense in recent years: fullback.
Pederson: I like the fullback position. I'd like FB to be a four core special teams player. We'll look at Trey Burton there in the spring.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
• So what about the defense? Pederson will be more involved in the offense, as he's already said he'd hand the reigns of the defense over to Jim Schwartz. But here's what Pederson had to say about that side of the ball on Wednesday:
Coach Pederson on Jim Schwartz: It's an attack style of defense and he's had success over the year. He develops pass rushers.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
Coach Pederson: I feel really good about our cornerback position. There's some youth out there and some experience. Still need depth.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
Coach Pederson: Connor Barwin's best position is as a defensive end, coming off the edge. Marcus Smith will play defensive end too.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
• How will the play-calling work? Well, for starters, it won't be anything like it was under Kelly's regime. First, offensive coordinator Frank Reich will be on the field, and not in the box. Pederson will call the plays and relay them to Reich, who will then send them into the QB. Seems a bit convoluted, but if it works...
Why would Pederson relay plays to Reich? His explanation:
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 23, 2016
1) Avoid button confusion.
2) QB is used to hearing OC call plays in practice.
Coach Pederson: I'm interested in (joint practices during Training Camp), but this being my first year, we might stay away from it.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 23, 2016
