Philadelphia Eagles Rookies Gaining Experience in Crucible of Big Games

The Philadelphia Eagles have started each of the last two years with an 8-1 record, but this year's is different because the rookies are playing - and winning - while getting experience.

PHILADELPHIA – Not all 8-1 records are created equal, and such is the case for the Philadelphia Eagles.

This year’s 8-1 has been aided by rookies, a baptism under fire. Especially in the secondary, where third-round pick Sydney Brown and undrafted rookie Eli Ricks have been thrown into the crucible of big games and were on the field for a combined 72 snaps in Sunday’s 28-23 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

While Ricks and Brown weren’t solely responsible for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s monster 374-yard, three-touchdown day, they can’t be absolved of blame, either.

Head coach Nick Sirianni came to the defense of the pass defense a day after the Eagles beat Dallas.

“The reason Eli and Sydney were out there is because we had confidence in them to do the job,” said Sirianni. “Again, did the stat sheet look pretty with 375 yards passing? No. But did the scoreboard look pretty? Yeah. To hold a team like that to six points in the second half is pretty darn good, and to 23 points in the game is pretty good.”

It’s a high-wire act, but the best part of the trick is that the Brown and Ricks are gaining valuable experience that should help them – and the Eagles – in the long term.

“…you've got to go through some of those adversities to continue to grow as a player,” said the head coach.

Eagles defensive rookies, left to right, Eli Ricks, Sydney Brown, and Nolan Smith :: Ed Kracz/SI Fan Nation Eagles Today

Brown and Ricks aren’t alone in a rookie class being tested in battle, though Brown has already played 127 defensive snaps (33 percent) and Ricks 112 (22 percent). Those numbers could tail off a bit once veteran Bradley Roby is able to return from a shoulder injury that has forced him to miss the last three games.

Ninth-overall pick, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, played a career-high snaps last week with 51 (68 percent). In limited snaps, so far, the Eagles' other firt=round pick, Nolan Smith, already has one sack, seven tackles and two QB hits.

Third-round pick Tyler Steen had his moment in the crucible against the Cowboys, logging 100 percent of the snaps in his first pro start.

“I think he played pretty good,” said Sirianni of Steen, who stepped in at right guard. “Obviously, he's going to want plays back. A couple times he got matched up with some different guys…

“I thought he played a good game, though, being his first start, being a rookie, going against a really good defense, I thought he played a good game.”

Last year, the rookies barely played at all.

The leader in rookie snaps was undrafted free agent Reed Blankenship, who played 291 (26 percent) despite not seeing his first extended snaps until Week 12 when Chauncey Gardner-Johnson suffered a lacerated kidney during the game against the Green Bay Packers.

First-round pick Jordan Davis may have finished with the most, but he spent four games on injured reserve and when he returned, he found veterans Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph clogging his path to playing time.

Second-round pick Cam Jurgens logged 35, third-round pick Nakobe Dean 34, and the first of two sixth-round picks, Kyron Johnson, played 18. The second of the two sixth-rounders, tight end Grant Calcaterra, played 227, but most of that came during the five games Dallas Goedert missed with a shoulder injury.

Yet, here are the Eagles 8-1 this year after being 8-1 last year with a different philosophy when it comes to playing younger players. Of course, much of the need to play the rookies has to do with some injuries, but still, the Eagles are continuing to win – and win a lot.

Sirianni became just the 11th head coach since 1970 to lead his team to 8-1 start in back-to-back seasons, joining Tony Dungy (2005-06 Colts), Mike Shanahan (1996-98 Broncos), Barry Switzer (1994-95 Cowboys), Marv Levy (1990-91 Bills), Bill Parcells (1989-90 Giants), George Seifert (1989-90 49ers), Tom Landry (1976-77 Cowboys), John Madden (1976-77 Raiders), Ted Marchibroda (1976-77 Colts), and Don Shula (1972-73 Dolphins).