Eagles' Offense Searching For Answers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Eagles went into the season knowing it could be a bumpy ride with a rookie quarterback. Carson Wentz has been the least of their worries.
Wentz has played well and has kept the Eagles in several close contests this season, but many of the skill players have struggled throughout much of the 2016 campaign. Head coach Doug Pederson knows there are still issues to be fixed as his team prepares for the final five games of the season with execution in the red zone at the top of the list.
"One of the things that kind of is concerning is we've got to do better in the red zone," said Pederson. "I think we've kicked too many field goals when we've been down there and field goals in general, which are okay and Caleb (Sturgis) is having a great year doing that for us and scoring points. We've got to learn how to finish once we get down in that red zone area."
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The Eagles have had few complaints concerning their quarterback. While Carson Wentz has still made his share of mistakes, the first-year signal caller is getting the type of valuable experience which would not have happened if Sam Bradford had not been traded.
"I think it's good and I think he gets to learn," Pederson said. "He gets to learn the city. He gets to learn the fans. He learns you guys as the media and he gets to see from a veteran guy. If Sam was still the guy, then he gets to learn from him but looking back now, obviously this has been very valuable for him to get these reps and to lead this football team like he has."
As Pederson prepares his team for the Bengals, speculation continues on the status of Nelson Agholor. The receiver was deactivated last week and Pederson would not confirm Agholor would be back on the field this Sunday, but indicated he was leaning towards allowing Agholor to play.
"I think about him personally and where he's at," said Pederson. "At the same time, I've got to think of the whole football team as well. I can't really worry about the one guy. It's all the other guys that are dressing and playing that is my concern."
The Eagles offense has been a bigger concern for Pederson in recent weeks. All of the right buttons were pushed when the Eagles opened the season at 3-0. After losing six of their last eight, Pederson and his players are searching for answers.
"I think the last couple of weeks we've kind of stalled offensively having the ball," Pederson said. "Whether it be the turnover or a three-and-out that you just can't have, those are things that I look at and try to put an emphasis on, not only during the week but in the next few weeks."
