Someone tried to ask Miles Sanders after the game if he had trouble hanging onto the football because it was so hot and he was sweating and the football was slippery.
He just shook his head and was like … come on, man.
No excuses.
He knows he has to be better. He knows he has to solve his ongoing fumbling problem.
Sanders, the Eagles' rookie second-round pick from Penn State, finally did some good things on offense in the Eagles' loss to the Lions Sunday, but they were more than offset by two fumbles, one of which he lost that led to a Detroit field goal (see observations).
Whether you're a 10-year vet or a rookie, you're in the NFL for a reason," Sanders said. "I have a job to do. … All I can say is got to put it behind me and keep moving forward and continue to grow and get ready for next week.
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Sanders fumbled midway through the second quarter, but guard Isaac Seumalo recovered and the drive continued.
Just four plays later, it happened again. This time Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson fell on the football near midfield, and five plays later the Lions took a 17-10 lead with a field goal.
Sanders is the first Eagles running back to fumble twice in the same game since Bryce Brown against the Cowboys in 2012.
It's a long season, a long game," Sanders said. "I got back in and tried to make the most of my opportunities. Put it behind me. I'm not perfect, but I'm definitely going to work my ass off this week to get better.
Brown, also a rookie, rushed for 169 yards in that 2012 game against the Cowboys. Sanders didn't pile up quite that many yards, but after another slow start he did put up 126 yards from scrimmage - the most by an Eagles rookie running back since that same game.
Sanders was on the receiving end of Carson Wentz's two longest passes - a 40-yarder in the first quarter and a 33-yarder in the fourth - and ran 13 times for 53 yards, a respectable 4.1 after he averaged just 2.5 yards in his first two games.
His 73 receiving yards are the most by an Eagles rookie running back in a regular season game since Robert Drummond had 74 against the Chargers in 1989, although Corey Clement had 100 in the Super Bowl.
There's always positives in every game," he said. "But got to come out with a win. I've got to play better. I put us in some tough situations.
Sanders fumbled 10 times in 308 touches at Penn State, which is once every 31 touches.
And that's way too many.
He now has two fumbles in 40 touches as an Eagle.
Wayyyyy too many.
Continue to keep working," he said. "I'm not perfect. Try to be perfect. On to the next game.
The first couple games, Sanders held onto the ball but didn't produce.
This time there were some positives signs … but he fumbled twice.
The challenge for the Eagles and for Sanders is getting the production without the fumbles.
Because as talented as Sanders is, if he can't hang onto the football, he's not going to play.
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