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Nick Foles goes off on Eagles leaders getting upset over former players’ criticism
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- Nick Foles goes off on Eagles leaders getting upset over former players’ criticism
Credit: ALLCITY Network
Nick Foles called his shot with the " Philly Special " trick play in Super Bowl LII, now immortalized as a statue outside of Lincoln Financial Field, and he isn't afraid to call it how he sees it now.
The former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback joined Brandon Graham, a legendary Eagle who won Super Bowl LII with Foles, on Graham's " Brandon Graham Unblocked " podcast on Wednesday.
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While reminiscing on their glory days in Philadelphia, Graham asked Foles to name their funniest ex-teammates, which led unintentionally veered the conversation in a revealing direction.
"It sort of caught fire in Philly when I talk about culture, dysfunction and whatever," Foles said. "I've had to have discussions, and it's been really good and fruitful. But the blitz meetings with Jeff Stoutland […] man, it was must-see TV. It was must-see TV to be in those blitz meetings, figuring out everything.
"Honestly, I'm not trying to create anything, but they need a little bit of that right now. They need those blitz meetings, they need those discussions, they need those conversations. How do we figure this out?"
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In late October, Foles said that " there is dysfunction in Philly " on his "The SZN with Nick Foles & Evan Moore and NBC Sports Philadelphia" podcast and laid out signs that the Eagles' culture is changing for the worst.
The Eagles sit at 2-6, their worst record to start a season since 1999 , after losing six straight games. The team also lost quarterback Jalen Hurts for the season due to superficial blood clots that progressed into pulmonary emboli, which the team , league , and media all handled woefully.
Before that, longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland stepped away in February, and All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson retired in early October.
Back on the podcast, co-host Bo Wulf asked Graham and Foles how they're navigating ruffling feathers within the Eagles organization by offering honest analysis.
Foles plainly stated that he and Graham have "unique insight" into playing for the Eagles, and it shouldn't bother anyone in the Eagles' building when former players voice valid criticism.
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"The only way they should hear about the media, the things that we say, is when media relations goes up to the coaches or players and says, 'Hey, this is what's talked about so it's not a curveball, just navigate it,'" Foles said. "The only time you should really turn it on is when you have to do media, and then shut it off and block everything out. That is how you play in Philadelphia."
"If you let the media in, you're done," Foles continued. "If you let the media in your head, you are done in Philly. The media is too strong in Philly. And this is a compliment to the fans. They care."
After underscoring that his analysis is meant for the fans, and while he and Graham have fired off brutally honest opinions, he guaranteed there is always truth to their criticisms.
"The fact that we are ruffling feathers on people that are at the top bothers me a little bit," Foles said. "It bothers me. The fact that they're getting emotional based on what we say—block it out! Block us out. Do not listen. We're talking to the fans! The fact that you're getting frustrated about what Brandon Graham and Nick Foles are saying, we care so much about the Eagles."
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"BG and I want to talk really good about the Eagles," Foles added. "Jason Avant wants to talk really good about the Eagles. But when we go put on the tape and dissect the tape, there's too many things on the tape that we have to share from our insights and hoping that improves."
Foles apologized for being long-winded, but he couldn't help but tell the whole truth. "I'm emotional about it," he said. "I think the fact that they're getting frustrated is a problem in there, and they need to block us out. They just need to focus on doing what they do because if they do that, they can turn this thing around. I always believe that."
"They know us to know that, man, we're always faithful, always hopeful," Graham said. "I'm still hopeful for the team. I just gotta call it like I see it because if I want to people to know people that I'm credible, I gotta honest and open. And some stuff probably don't need to be said, and it's okay. I'm learning as I continue to go, too."
Graham said it's still "all love" when he visits the Eagles' facility, and he echoed Foles' sentiment that criticism stems from how deeply he cares.
The post Nick Foles goes off on Eagles leaders getting upset over former players' criticism appeared first on Awful Announcing .
