Two of the Eagles’ most veteran players, Brent Celek and Chase Daniel, gave rookie Carson Wentz the same piece of advice before his NFL debut:
Be yourself.
If that was the real Carson Wentz in the Eagles’ 29-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at the Linc, Eagles fans have a lot to be excited about (see Instant Replay).
“The city is always looking for a hero, and whenever you have a quarterback — a franchise quarterback — they end up being that beacon of hope, per se,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said.
“It's obviously still early, but I think it's very exciting to have a young guy like Carson come in under the circumstances and come out and have a really good game — that's big. Especially in a home opener in a season on this level, is huge. Hopefully, we can continue to build off of that. Hopefully, we can continue to put him in good situations and keep it moving."
Wentz, who was thrust into the starting role just eight days ago after starter Sam Bradford was traded to the Vikings, played about as well as anyone — inside or outside the organization — could have hoped.
Wentz completed 22 of 37 attempts for 278 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. His passer rating was 101 (see 10 observations).
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Wentz became the first Eagles' rookie to win a game since Nick Foles in 2012. His 101 passer rating was the highest for an Eagles rookie since John Reaves in 1972.
And he’s just one of three quarterbacks since 1960 to have 275-plus passing yards, two passing touchdowns and no interceptions in an opener, joining Robert Griffin III in 2012 and Jim Kelly in 1986.
“I think he did a really good job,” Browns cornerback Joe Haden said. “He was more advanced than I expected him to be.”
Hours before the 1 p.m. kickoff, before he took the field in full uniform, Wentz exited the tunnel from the locker room and took a walk on the field at an empty Lincoln Financial Field. No fans, no cameras. Just Wentz and his thoughts.
He wanted to let the moment sink in.
“I just realized how truly blessed I am to have this opportunity and make the most of it and remember it’s still just a game,” Wentz said. “I came out here today and it was a great team win.”
Head coach Doug Pederson said he tried to lighten the mood with Wentz during pregame, but admitted he wasn’t sure if it was for Wentz or him. Pederson said he was a little jittery before his own debut as an NFL head coach.
Not Wentz.
“I wasn’t really nervous,” Wentz said. “I really don’t get nervous. I like to listen to worship music before the game, kind of calm my nerves and go and have fun. It’s a game, I enjoy it and I had a lot of fun today and it turned out good.”
It’s hard to believe the rookie quarterback wasn’t even a little nervous before his first NFL game. If he was, he didn’t show it.
After his first pass was dropped by Jordan Matthews, Wentz completed his next four on the 75-yard opening drive and capped it with a perfect 19-yard touchdown pass in the end zone to Matthews. The Eagles led the rest of the way.
“It was huge,” Wentz said of the first touchdown. “It gave me a lot of confidence. Going down, moving the ball, getting that 20-yard touchdown, or whatever it was, right off the bat, it was huge for my confidence. It was huge for my team’s confidence. I know the people here were rocking, so that was a lot of fun and that was a great start to the year.”
Wentz’s other touchdown pass came in the third quarter after a safety and put the Eagles up by two scores. After a gutsy call and conversion on 4th-and-4, Wentz threw a perfect 35-yard strike to Nelson Agholor, who caught the ball in stride at the 4 and ran into the end zone.
After the game, Wentz credited Agholor for “killing” his man on the route, but the throw from Wentz was perhaps his best of the night.
“Man, he’s a special player,” Agholor said. “And he’ll talk for himself, but I think a lot of what he does is credited to hard work, dedication and belief. All he does is work his ass off and just believes that he’s going to make plays and that’s what happens.”
This week was the first that Wentz took first-team reps, so he didn’t have a long time to get on the same page with his receivers. But he still drilled several timing throws on Sunday. And in the huddle? Veteran Jason Peters said the rookie was “real confident,” which helps his teammates have confidence in him.
Another part of Wentz’s being himself is throwing the deep ball. He let a few rip on Sunday afternoon.
Was that the game plan or Wentz being Wentz?
“That’s Carson,” said Huff, breaking out into a huge grin. “That’s Carson.”
Sounds like the rookie took the advice to heart.
“Just be yourself,” Celek said. “The guy got here for a reason. He was a second pick for a reason and he played well for a reason.”
And Eagles fans are excited for a reason. Carson Wentz was himself on Sunday — and he looked like the guy Eagles fans have been waiting for.
