Eagles coach Doug Pederson excited for QB Carson Wentz’s second season – Allentown Morning Call

Much like his boss suggested the day before, Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson confirmed Wednesday that the best thing his team has going for it is a young, dynamic quarterback it can build around.

That's been the plan since the day Carson Wentz was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

That's also what has Pederson's juices flowing as he closed out the Annual NFL Meeting with praise for his quarterback and a whole lot of guys surrounding him.

What changes for Wentz, who started all 16 games as a rookie last season, is that he enters this season as the established leader, according to Pederson.

"He embraces that," Pederson said. "I think this [year] will be big the way he talks to and handles the guys around him. ... He's obviously capable of doing that.

"I think, too, by him going through 16 games last year, there's a level of maturity. You're always looking to improve and to get better there."

That Wentz can be considered a leader despite being one of the youngest members of the team is not a surprise to the coach. He noticed why immediately.

"He stepped in Day 1 last year and the guys looked at him and they said, 'OK, you're our guy,'" Pederson said. "He proved that by how he studied during the week, how he practiced during week. So I don't think there's much more, other than just, 'Hey, man, let's spend an extra five minutes throwing this route.' Those types of things. Sort of leading by example."

Although Pederson denies that throwing 607 passes, an Eagles rookie record, left Wentz with a sore arm, he did suggest the overall workload became a burden when heaped onto all his offseason activity coming in.

Not having a Senior Bowl or scouting combine to worry about this year should give Wentz the break he needed by locker cleanout day Jan. 2.

Pederson had similar praise for other 2016 rookies, particularly offensive linemen Isaac Seumalo and Hal Vaitai.

Vaitai, he said, "has a chance to be a dynamic tackle in this league," and Seumalo can play all five spots. Most impressive was the way he stepped in at right tackle against the Baltimore Ravens in December.

"Isaac obviously didn't train at tackle for us in practice," Pederson said. "He had some college experience at tackle, and for him to do what he did in that Baltimore game, on a week's preparation, just shows the athleticism, the desire, the want-to. Those are types of guys that we love to coach, who you want on your team.

"When you're evaluating players, it's not about necessarily what they do on the field, it's the desire, it's the heart, they sacrifice themselves for the team. The versatility he can really play all five positions."

Similarly, Pederson believes the backup quarterback spot was upgraded by the addition of Foles, which led to the Eagles granting Chase Daniel's request to be released.

"With a guy like Carson, going into his second year, you want somebody that's played in the National Football League, played some games and has had some experience," Pederson said. "He's been with Alex Smith the last year, another veteran player, and it just brings a lot of the same things that I saw in myself when I was a backup."

Pederson almost certainly understands that more will be required of his offense in 2017 after the addition of free-agent receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith.

Additions that came at least in part at the expense of the defense, which lost two starters defensive tackle Bennie Logan and cornerback Nolan Carroll to free agency and released two more defensive end Connor Barwin and cornerback Leodis McKelvin as salary cap casualties.

The Eagles this week did sign defensive end Chris Long and cornerback Patrick Robinson, but they are far from filling the holes that exist on their roster. Even a great draft this year will leave them short.

"It can be hard [to have patience]," he said. "Again, it goes back to acquiring talent. You want all the holes filled. You want everything and have all the depth that you want. Patience is a virtue. And we have to trust our plan, we have to trust our process, we have to trust our coaches."

Ultimately, though, it comes down to the quarterback. If Wentz is successful, Pederson will be as well. If Wentz doesn't pan out?

"It's always the head coach and the quarterback, right?" he said "At this level? So I think that answers that. The success of Carson, then we all have success."

And Pederson likes his chances.

Nick.Fierro@mcall.com

Twitter: @nickfierro

610-778-2243

DOUG PEDERSON

Position: Eagles head coach

Record: 7-9

Born: Jan. 31, 1968 (age 49), Bellingham, Wash.

College: Northeast Louisiana

Playing career: QB for Dolphins, Packers, Eagles, Browns

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Eagles coach Doug Pederson excited for QB Carson Wentz's second season - Allentown Morning Call