Nick Sirianni is Altering Saturday Routine, as Eagles Practice for a Second Time

Here is a pool report from practice, with DeVonta Smith suffering a migraine, and the coach saying he would let anyone talk from the heart the night before the game

PHOENIX – The Eagles had their second practice of Super Bowl LVII week on Thursday, and now only one more remains before Saturday’s final preparation – the speech.

Typically, head coach Nick Sirianni and a team captain give it. Not on the eve of Super Bowl LVII.

The coach said on Thursday, during the final media availability for players and coaches from both the Eagles and Chiefs, that the plan would be altered.

“What we’ll do on Saturday instead of me talking, instead of a captain talking, I think we’re just going to open it up to the floor,” he said.

Sirianni said that was the way it was handled prior to the Division III Championship Game, known as the Stagg Bowl when the coach was a receiver at Mount Union.

“I thought that was really powerful when all the guys could get up and say whatever was on their heart to say,” he said. “So, we’ll kind of treat it that way. 

"I had a plan on some of my walks around the neighborhood and what I thought about in that particular case (of making it to a Super Bowl) but we’re going away from that plan.”

For a coach who preaches routine, this is news.

As for the practice, it was noteworthy because WR DeVonta Smith came down with a migraine afterward and could not attend the media availability.

Only a pool reporter is allowed to watch practice.

Here is the report that was filed

The Philadelphia Eagles spent much of their nearly two-hour practice Thursday afternoon focused on their third-down packages in preparation for Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“That’s our big tempo practice right there,” Sirianni said. “Get in, work, let it be sharp and crisp on both sides of the ball.”

Sirianni said he was looking not just for strong execution of his team’s offensive and defensive game plans, but to see how focused his players were on the small details – and he came away from Thursday’s session encouraged by his team’s performance and demeanor.

“I really felt that way (Thursday), that the detail was spot on. That’s how you know, on a Thursday, that’s how it’s supposed to look.”

The Eagles had their full roster of players available to practice for the second consecutive day, though several veteran players and others who are coming off injuries took a lighter load of snaps during team drills.

The players listed as limited on the team’s injury report with an injury designation were CB Avonte Maddox (toe), G Landon Dickerson (elbow/rest), RT Lane Johnson (groin/rest), WR Britain Covey (hamstring); the following players took a limited load of snaps strictly to rest: CB James Bradberry, WR A.J. Brown, DT Fletcher Cox, DE Brandon Graham, C Jason Kelce, G Isaac Seumalo, CB Darius Slay and DE Josh Sweat. Defensive end Robert Quinn (foot) was a full participant in practice.

Punter Arryn Siposs practiced for the second consecutive day this week, though he remains on injured reserve.

Thursday’s third-down work was especially important for the Eagles’ starting defense as they prepare for Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Philadelphia’s backup quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Ian Book did their best to mimic Mahomes, particularly in the Chiefs’ ability to extend third-down plays.

“You just try to simulate it as much as you can,” Sirianni said.

Thursday’s practice ended with what Sirianni calls a “good on good” period, with the starting defense lining up to practice a prescribed situation against Jalen Hurts and the offensive starters.

The Eagles will hold a final practice Friday, with a focus on red zone situations.

Ed Kracz is the publisher of SI.com’s Fan Nation Eagles Today and co-host of the Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles or www.eaglesmaven.com and please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.