Last season, he rushed for 26 first downs on 64 attempts – including 13 third-down conversions. His top five rushing outputs all came before this season. He’s down to 11.1 yards per game this season. He averaged 23 rushing yards per game last season. Yet Wentz’s rushing numbers have declined this year. … That’s something we’re always trying to emphasize and show him examples of being able to create and extend plays and get some yards with your feet down the field.” He’s often times the one not accounted for. “Anytime your quarterback can create with his legs, it’s really an issue for a defense. “Absolutely,” Taylor said when asked if that emphasis still exists. In fact, former quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo used to set the benchmark for Wentz to make one first down each game with his feet. But there’s no denying what his legs can do for the offense. Wentz does not want to be known as a running quarterback, and he hurts opponents more with a right arm that helps make him the face of the franchise. And it’s one defenses haven’t had to answer often enough this season. He asked whether Wentz was down and observed that Wentz “came out of a pile of bodies.” Tight end Zach Ertz said after the game that he doesn’t know “how you stop that as a defense.” Jon Gruden, Jay’s brother and then the analyst, shared the disbelief.
“How in the world did that happen?” ESPN announcer Sean McDonough asked on the broadcast. He somehow stayed on his feet, darted away from the pack, and ran for the first down.
It looked as if he was down in the bottom of the pile. Four pass rushers – not to mention the four linemen charged with blocking them – obscured Wentz on the television screen. The pocket quickly collapsed on Wentz after he took the snap. They led by seven, and if the Eagles punted, Washington would have a chance to tie the game. The most memorable run came in the fourth quarter, when the Eagles had a third-and-7 at their own 27-yard line. I think we had some great opportunities to get him down and we failed to do so because of his strength.” That’s the most memorable thing about that night. He can buy time, find the open receiver for guys to uncover. “When you think of quarterbacks who can run, you don’t really think of Carson Wentz as one of those guys, but he really is a great pocket-presence runner. “His escapability is underestimated,” Gruden said. The 21- and 17-yarders came on third downs, moving the chains when Washington thought they could get off the field. Wentz had rushes of 21 yards, 17 yards, and two 11-yard scampers. When Washington coach Jay Gruden reflected on Wentz’s performance, it was Wentz’s legs that were most memorable. But it was a lot of fun to watch that game.” “He kind of had his big highlight plays last year across the board in that game. “I thought he made some unbelievable physical plays, I thought he made great decisions,” quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. The Eagles might need more of those performances to rescue this season. He was the best player on the field playing his best game of the season. He willed the Eagles when they were decimated by injuries, bringing them back from an early deficit and slow start. The way he played that night showed the type of quarterback Wentz can be at his best. But the statistics do not tell the whole story from that game. He also rushed for a career-high 63 yards. His 126.3 passer rating was the second best of his career. He went 17-of-28 passing for 268 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. “But there will still be somebody who will say, ‘How did you get out of this?’ or ‘How did you feel that?’”Īs Wentz - the third-year quarterback from North Dakota State - and the Eagles prepare for Monday’s game against Washington, it’s worth revisiting what Wentz did that night. “We’ve probably seen it so many times that there probably wasn’t the awe that there was the day after when you put on the film,” quarterbacks coach Press Taylor said. He dazzled in front of a national audience with both his arm and his legs, making passes and escaping pressure in a way that few quarterbacks alive could equal. It was October 2017, Week 7 of their storybook Super Bowl season, and Carson Wentz displayed what can be remembered as his signature performance. PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks gathered in their meeting room in recent days and watched the film from the last time the Eagles hosted the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football.