PHILADELPHIA — Eagles cornerback James Bradberry understands why former Giants teammate Dexter Lawrence won’t let his mother attend their playoff game Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bradberry talked about his mother’s experience when she watched him play the Eagles … in Charlotte.
“We have a rowdy bunch over here, so I definitely understand,” Bradberry said. “I remember when I was playing for the Panthers and we played Philly in Carolina and my mom was talking about the fans, so I definitely understand. If I was on (the Giants) side I’d be like, ‘Nah, you probably need to stay at home for this one.’ I know it’s going to be loud and I’m just anticipating running through the tunnel and feeling all the energy.”
The Eagles are favored to make it a threepeat of the Giants, who were trounced at the Meadowlands earlier in the season by the Birds, and two weeks ago, with neither team showing much, surrendered a 22-16 decision at the Linc. The Eagles had a touchdown wiped out by an illegal man downfield penalty, although the ball was snapped from the 2-yard line, making that seem somewhat impossible.
Bradberry, just the same, has just about seen it all in seven NFL seasons, the previous two with the Giants. The younger Eagles say the publicly quiet Bradberry has asked them all to play with urgency, lest it become one-and-done in the postseason. That happened to Bradberry in 2017, the Saints defeating the Panthers three times, the final indignity a 31-26 beating in the Big Easy.
Bradberry was impressed with the way Giants quarterback Daniel Jones handled himself, throwing for 307 yards and two TDs and running for 78 yards and a handful of first downs in a 31-24 wild card road triumph over the Vikings last week. The Giants made just enough plays and won the time of possession battle, the latter keeping wide receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback Kirk Cousins from finding a rhythm.
That the Eagles have a chance to beat the Giants a third time is “ironic” to Bradberry, who was told he was unaffordable by Big Blue management.
“It would definitely be pretty sweet,” Bradberry said. “First of all, because we’re going on to the next round and second, I know those guys over there, and I know some coaches over there, so it’s like being back in Little League, when you’re in Little League playing a team across the city and you have some friends over there.”
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Add defensive end Brandon Graham to the Eagles’ injury report, although it’s almost certainly going to take more than an illness to keep him out of the playoffs in this, his 13th season.
Graham and cornerback Avonte Maddox (toe) did not practice Wednesday, and nose tackle Linval Joseph (calf) returned to work.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson (groin) and defensive end Robert Quinn (back) were limited along with several others for rest purposes.
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Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who has interviewed virtually for a handful of head coaching jobs, wore a shirt to his Wednesday presser that read “A Fan Of Change.”
“Not like that,” Steichen said. “I love it here.”
It’s hard not to love calling plays for an almost fully functional offense in the postseason.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts (throwing shoulder) has been a full go with no restrictions, right tackle Johnson is back at practice and the Eagles will open up their playbook against a good, not great Giants defense that quite frankly is playing a little light on the back end.
Don’t be surprised if the run game is key this weekend.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Steichen said. “I think with everything, you look at what you’re doing well. If you’re doing something successful, you stay with it. If you need to improve on some things, you have to look at what you need to improve on, and we went through that self-scout process last week. I feel like we’re in a good spot right now.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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