According to Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, Carson Wentz possesses every attribute of an elite NFL quarterback.
Reich addressed the media today for the first time since the rookie was named starting quarterback on Sunday. As expected, Reich received an assortment of questions regarding the somewhat controversial decision to give Wentz the nod after having played just a handful of snaps this preseason, including whether or not he’s ready.
“Yeah, that’s why he’s here,” Reich said. “When you evaluate Carson in the process, if there’s five-to-seven key boxes that you’re trying to check off for a guy to come in and be an elite quarterback, he checks off all the boxes. Furthermore, if you’re scoring on all those boxes on a one-to-ten scale, he scores nine or ten on a lot of those boxes. That being said, it’s probably the most difficult position to play in sports, and there’s so many factors that go into it. We’re just very confident and excited about what’s coming up.”
“When we evaluated him, I felt he was always ready. I was always 100 percent behind coach Pederson’s plan, and I thought it was a great plan. I think that plan was working out exactly how coach Pederson wanted it to work out. I think the steadfastness of his leadership and the vision that he had was playing out just how he envisioned it. Now you just adapt, that’s the ongoing part of this business that you have to do.”
In Wentz’s lone preseason game, the North Dakota State product completed 12 of 24 passes for 89 yards and an interception before departing with a rib injury. Despite the limited experience, Reich ensured reporters that the game plan wouldn’t be simplified any more than it would’ve been if former Eagle Sam Bradford was the week 1 starter.
“You want to keep it simple and play fast,” Reich said. “That would’ve been the case anyway no matter who was playing quarterback, but that’s for all of our players. I don’t think the amount of stuff in the plan is gonna be an issue for Carson, I can’t emphasize [enough] how smart this guy is. The guy is off the charts smart, just plain smart, but then on top of that the football IQ and the acumen is way, way high.”
Having stated that Wentz checks off all of the boxes that you look for in an elite quarterback, Reich was asked to elaborate on the characteristics which separate the good from the great.
“He’s 6’5”, 240 lbs. and he’s got very, very good athletic ability for that position, or any position,” Reich said. “This is a big man’s game, this is a physical game, when you have that kind of athleticism, that kind of size, and then you work that with what I would say very high grades in regard to processing speeds and intelligence, and then leadership and playmaking ability. I just think those are a lot of good things to check off.”
Another extremely athletic, 6’5”, 240 lb. Eagles weapon is wideout Dorial Green-Beckham. Having been acquired just a few weeks ago, Reich explained that “DGB” will see a growing role on a weekly basis as long as he continues to make plays.
“Just to continue to build,” Reich said. “When he’s out on the field I think defenses know he’s on the field, I think the quarterback knows he’s on the field, I think the whole team knows he’s on the field, he’s that kind of a presence. Playmakers, it comes down to playmakers, how we define that is how do you make an explosive play on first or second down, and then playmaking really gets defined on third down and in the red zone, keeping drives alive or getting balls in the end zone. Those will be key.”
Green-Beckham’s first career touchdown came against Browns top corner Joe Haden last season. On the play, “DGB” rose up to easily snatch a strike from Marcus Mariota at the highest point as Haden staggered woefully behind in coverage.
You can watch the full press conference from Schwartz and Reich below.
Patrick Del Gaone is a staff writer for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Del_Gaone.
